Any opinions on where to go from here?

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

Hi Marjorie! Welcome........ My anxiety came to an extreme head when I moved 15 years ago. Everything in my life changed. I moved from the North to the South so the culture changed. New house, new neighbors, new school, new job............. But you know what, this is what pushed me to get better. Before that, in a comfortable and known setting, the anxiety is at a lower and more manageable level so you don't do anything about it. When it kicks up in high gear like this it cannot be ignored anymore. The best time to fix anything like this is when it comes out of hiding. Fixing my anxiety was the best thing that I ever did.

I agree with you. Working on the here and now is an excellent way to get better. If the here and now ties back into the past (to help you see how you got where you are) then only deal with that past. This is exactly how I got better.

You sound a lot like how I was. I would take an issue that was bothering me at that moment and of course every issue had to do with some interaction with others. I would discuss this with my T and he would help me see what in that interaction was dysfunctional so that I could understand it and learn how to deal with it a different way.

Hi mosmer

You sound like where I'm at in my life right now. I can't deal very well with the stress that's going on. I'd keep with the therapy unless/until you feel it's not helping or perhaps feel you might want to try a different therapist.

I would make an appointment with a psychiatrist to see if meds can also help you right NOW.

It sounds like your job causes you lots of stress, among other things. Do you think if you tried a different job, something you think would not make you feel so much stress, would help? Or if you don't have to work right now, quit your job and just focus on school. That's stressful enough.

We all have different abilities in dealing with stress. My threshold for stress is very low. I don't blame myself for that anymore - I used to. I respect my limitations and do the best I can.

My job definitely causes a lot of stress, but where I live right now, jobs aren't readily available. I've been looking since December 2008 to find something new, and so far, no luck. But, during the summer, I go down to part time and watch my sister's oldest daughter and sometimes some other kids, so that definitely helps. Unfortunately, I can't afford to quit my job. The leave of absence I took was pretty hard on my mother and me, and my dad refuses to help out with my bills. (He much prefers his new wife's family to his own.)

Considering all of the psych tests I have taken indicate moderate-severe anxiety with agoraphobia and likely rapid cycling bipolar disorder combined with mild OCD, I think my best bet is to find a psychiatrist in my area ASAP. The Lexapro and hydroxine just aren't cutting it anymore, and I'm tired of the heart palpitations and the dread of going out. Alas, life as a college student!