<p>Anyone have any experience with this? I've developed an anxiety disorder since coming to college (it actually started over winter break.) I've had a few panic attacks, and it's horrible. I'm going to my school's mental health clinic soon. Is it possible for me to get over this without medication? Every time I think I'm starting to get better, I slip back into my anxiety. I can't tell if stress from school or what, but I didn't feel anxious until I had my first panic attack (which was definitely in no way associated with stress or anything.) Also, is it normal for anxiety to feel "worse" than anxiety? A lot of the time I wouldn't describe what I feel as anxiety, and instead I just feel like my brain is tweaking and I desperately want to escape it; it's agonizing... Any input would be helpful! Thanks</p>
<p>I had my first panic attack during college as I rode a bus. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I would recommend you have a physical and talk to your doc, just to make sure everything is ok. If you want to try to deal with anxiety without medication, you need to learn some self-calming techniques. Deep breathing, focusing on a place you like and letting yourself “escape” mentally to that get away place until you feel yourself calming, meditation, and even exercise can be strategies to use. See if any of these things seem to help. See if you can identify what you are doing and thinking just before you begin to sense the panic setting in. You may be able to figure out for yourself what “triggers” the response. Don’t take too long on your own though - you don’t want your grades to slip as a result of this issue. If you aren’t having any luck on your own within a couple weeks, please ask a doc or mental health practitioner if meds (a very low dose) might help while you work on calming methods. Anxiety is very common, and manageable. Stay on a schedule for classes and homework/studying, take care of your eating and sleeping habits so you stay healthy, and you will get through this! Also, seek out friends who are supportive and calming - nervous nellie types will not help you! Also, try keeping a notebook during each day - write about any anxious thoughts, or upsetting events, etc. Note when you tend to feel the most tense; mornings, afternoons, after or before a certain class, around certain people? It will help you to maybe see a pattern…</p>
<p>Instead of asking a bunch of strangers on the internet, you should go to a doctor. They really can help.</p>
<p>“I’m going to my school’s mental health clinic soon.”</p>
<p>It helps to get insight from others who have suffered from the same disorder. There’s a reason support groups exist.</p>
<p>JeSuis, I’m going to inbox you. However, if anyone is also dealing with this and wants to talk about it, please contact me and I’ll be happy to do the same. I’ve dealt with a very severe anxiety disorder and I’m pretty happy about where my life has come–if you’re seeing this and you’re suffering, remember that your situation can improve.</p>
<p>MissGen, I appreciate your sharing that. I have to keep remembering that my sons will get better! Sometimes it seems like a very long road.</p>
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<p>[Cognitive</a> behavioral therapy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“Cognitive behavioral therapy - Wikipedia”>Cognitive behavioral therapy - Wikipedia)</p>