I'm twenty years old, moved to a new state last May, and my anxiety has been out of control ever since.

I moved to Mississippi to go to college because I have family here. I watched my niece all last summer and had no issues. Then, I took a job at a call center (tech support for a major cell provider) and began to have some issues with anxiety, dreaded going to work, etc. When I started taking classes this spring, I began having frequent palpitations, panic attacks, and was constantly anxious, especially at work. My doctor raised my dose of Lexapro from 10 mg to 20 mg daily, forbade caffeine and cigarettes, recommended I eat a diet high in protein and take certain vitamin supplements, and that I go to weekly counseling at the university to help with my anxiety.

Eventually, in late January, my anxiety hit a high point, and in the last week at work prior to my medical leave of absence I had three panic attacks, all beginning at work, and several attacks that I was able to calm down from. So, doctor's orders, I took the leave and began feeling better in general, just focusing on class and such.

Now, I'm back at work, my new counselor can't remember my new schedule and never sees me, I've had a family emergency (newborn nephew was hospitalized and almost died from RSV), and finals are this week. I'm having some pretty severe and frequent palps, I have had times when I just want to give up, and I seem to be much more irritable than usual.

I know the symptoms I'm exhibiting are of my anxiety and depression. However, I have never been to a psychologist or psychiatrist, and I'm beginning to think that this might be the best option for me, as my counselor doesn't seem to be hitting on the right things (she wants to focus on my past experiences with my abusive father and doesn't want to work with my current anxiety).

I just want some opinions on my best plan of action. I'm tired of feeling on edge constantly and I'm tired of perpetually reining my emotions in so that I don't lose it in a public setting. (This is one of my fears, because I have not only experienced panic attacks, but I've also witnessed them, so I know how frightening it is for someone to watch and not know what to do.)
Thanks for reading, as this is extremely long... I really appreciate what you have to say.
Marjorie