I need help

[Breaking]

I'm really worried about what is going on with my body/brain.  I've had what some would call a difficult life, abusive parents, a very transient military life and just an overall very dysfunctional family.  I probably should have gone to counseling long ago, but I am very good a dealing with things.  I am logical and rational by nature and not prone to "drama", but recently I have been experiencing what I guess are panic attacks.  I went to see my doctor last week (for completely unrelated reasons) and I lost it.  I was talking to her and I just started sobbing and I couldn't pull myself together again.  I was in shock b/c I've never done that before - even when I was actually experiencing a stressful situation!  I kept apologizing to her, b/c it just seemed so ridiculous that I couldn't even form sentences, nor could I define what I was upset about.  Truthfully my life is looking up right now with some career success.  The doctor was more than kind and patient, prescribed Xanax, recommended a counselor and told me to come back if I wanted a medication that was more long term.  I left thinking that I must have been PMSing a little early (and more intensely than ever before) but I have not been able to get myself into a "calm" state ever since.  My hands shake, I'm sweating, I cry with no reason, my heart is about to pound out of my chest and sometimes I "come to" and realize that I am literally beating my head against the wall, slapping myself in the face or scratching my arm till it's bloody.  I'm taking the Xanax, but I am concerned that I will be too relient so I only take it at night.  
I've tried to schedule an app't with a counselor but I can't get into see anyone until the end of the month.  I don't know what to do.  I'm scaring myself b/c I've never been like this before.  I can put up a front at work, enough to make everyone think I'm just really tired or not feeling well, but when I'm home alone I can't control myself.  I realize the scratching my arm isn't life threatening, but I don't even know I'm doing it until I see my arm.  I can't emphasize enough that this is not like me, I've been stressed before - but not with any unhealthy response.  What should I do?

[RubyWitch]

Not meaning to disregard your lengthy post, but your question, "What should I do?' has only one answer in my book. Get on the phone RIGHT NOW, call your doctors office and tell the answering service that you need to speak to your doctor immediately. When she (or the doc on call) calls you back, tell them about scratching yourself, beating your head against the wall and being totally unaware you are doing it. These are very frightening symptoms and your mind is sending up a huge red flag. Heed it NOW!
Please let us know how you are. We care and we are concerned!
Peace
Greenlydia

[Beckyw]

You need to count to ten,  it really works, so my sister says,You have to collect yourself. You may need an antidepressant or something to that effect maybe? Depression and anxiety can have so many symptoms, so sometimes its hard to tell what is real and what isn't. The counselor is going to be your best bet. I hope that you can get in as soon as you can. My symptoms are so "off the wall" that I have been diagnosed with 4 different problems, but I came to the realization that it is all part of having GAD (anxiety disorder).