How do I stop my anxiety attacks??

[jf1234]

I'm 17 years old, and have been dealing with anxiety sence I was 16 years old (about 6 months). I feel sometimes like I'm at my witts end. When I'm not having anxiety attacks, I'm CONSTANTLY a nervous wreck. I hardly hang with friends anymore because I don't want them to see me like this. I am up about 2-3 nights out of the week having anxiety attacks--I hate it! And have also started smoking cigerettes. (I know, very VERY bad habbit) But more times than not, it calms my nerves to a certain extent. I feel crazy sometimes, and feel like no one understands why I'm so nervous.. even when i try to talk to them about it. My family doctor put me on meds. to help me sleep at night. Said that my lack of sleep could only be making the attacks worse. I want to get rid of this anxiety as soon as possible.. but I don't want to have to pop pills everyday to control it.. Where should I start? Or what should I do?

[Rich99]

Just want to add that you should immediately drop the smoking that you began recently.    Not only is it a danger to your life as the years go on,  but it is nothing more than a crutch to calm yourself down just as alcohol and other medications such as benzos do.  

[MMahon]

You should ask your family doctor to refer you for further treatment.   You need help to try to get to the cause of the anxiety you are experiencing.  Some types of anxiety respond to counseling and talk therapy and others need to be treated differently.  Medications are there to help you cope with the symtoms and keep them from interfering with your life.
I suggest you sit down with your parents or guardians and speak openly with them about what you are going thru and that you need further treatment.
Anxiety disorder very frequently begins at your age and the sooner you get a handle on it the better your life will be.  
Let us know how you are doing.