I have been suffering from anxiety symptoms and self-esteem issues for the past year, and I need help in deciding if I need to ramp up my arsenal of treatment. Just to give you a little insight to my situation…

It seems like I’ve always been an anxious person. My closest family members have said a countless number of times that I’m a worry-wart and that when I have problems, I take things personally and frequently blame myself for my problems, even if it’s had nothing to do with me. My parents have told me a number of times that I always find something to worry about and that it is difficult for me to relax. When I reach a “fight-or-flight” situation, I literally feel my heart sink, and sweat comes out so much that it stains my clothes, even in a refrigerated room. Some of these triggers include confrontations with difficult people, and tough questions on exams. Other times I just feel like these symptoms get in the way with my family life, like when my parents give me advice or have disciplined me when I was younger my anxious brain would equate this to a harsh criticism, even when my logic clearly recognizes that my parents love me and are just trying to help me to become the person who I am today. I get very tense around others because I believe that people will judge my every move. These symptoms have worsened with time.

I’ve tried to respond through professional counseling and taking meds (Zoloft 50 mg for 1 year, now Lexapro 10 mg), which has made my anxiety and self-deprecation less constant but when I’ve been triggered by mentions of my past mistakes or get into a bind with my school work, I tense up and sweat even worse than I have before. So I’m questioning whether I should change my regimen to fight these tendencies, which my parents, both doctors, and I have decided this past weekend could be either GAD or social anxiety.

The question I pose in this thread are:
1. Should I see a therapist, neurologist or counselor who specializes in anxiety or social anxiety?
2. Should I seek a diagnosis of GAD or social anxiety? If so what is the diagnostic process and treatment like?