i am 24 years old, and i think i had a really intense panic attack at work this morning. i have two jobs, and i was at the more stressful of the two this morning. i walked into the back, and my chest started pounding. i have had some pretty intense worry going on lately. sometimes i wake up worried that i wont feel well. i check my pulse pretty regularly, because im afraid of it being rapid. often in the evenings, my shoulders will be very stiff and i convince myself that i am having a heart attack. i rarely voice these fears to my boyfriend, eventhough hes right beside me. i nearly called 911 ealier, because i felt intensely dizzy while my heart was going so rapidly. instead i called a walk in clinic and spoke with a nurse who told me i was probably having a panic attack. my heart rate was about 105. i also have chronic stomach pains. ill convince myself that if i eat the right things my body wont hurt, but it doesnt prevent the worry, rapid heart rate or dizziness. i dont know where to go from here. a few close friends are in the psychology field, and have told me i probably have an anxiety disorder, but im not sure what to do. i would not like to take medications, so im not sure what my options are. does it get better? should i be seeing a therapist? are support groups helpful? any advice or experiences would help. i am currently reading this forum and its informative and its making me feel calmer just knowing its a shared experience. oh, and i dont sleep. i have trouble falling asleep and worry right before i actually fall into deep sleep that i wont wake up or ill stop breathing. is this what its like for everyone?