Help!

[dougall19]

Hi, im a 19 y\o male that needs some advice. Here is my story. About 3 years ago, One night after getting up from laying down, I got a sharp pain in chest I was a little worried at the time. One night I did some marijuana, wasnt my first time or anything, just did it in excess that night, probaly my biggest high. Anyways, for some reason, I took a major panic attack. I guess where I recently had chest pain, it caused me to worry. At the time I had no idea what a panic attack was, and immedently thought I was taking a heart attack. I was freaking out scared to death, heart was pounding and racing so fast, I was really scared. (I did quit doing drugs though). Later I found out it was a panic attack, because I kept having them at other times. I did get tested at the hospital for my chest pain, had many tests, but that was it, my symptoms were aniexty related. Anyways I did get through the panic attacks and aniexty, to a extent. Basically I led a semi-normal life for about a year and a half if that makes sense. The later half of 2006 it came back. Some days I was ok, others I was a mess. I ended up having to stop going to school, my graudating year too. Luckily I got home schooled and graduated. But since the middle of last year, I basically lost everything because of this. I lost all my friends, sports, family, and unfortunately my girlfriend who I really loved, and since about March of 07 I have done nothing but stay in my house, give or take a few days here and there where I did manage to leave. Anyways, im writing this because I realized today, I cant take it anymore and I want to get help to get my life back. Im just still trying to deal with losing everyone in my life including my family who think I have major problems. I used to be so out-going, scared of nothing, lived life on the wild side (in a good way, as in enjoying every minute of my life) and my family is stunned at who I am now. I know my post is really long, but im just wondering how do I get help? Who should I go too?  My family will help me with this of course, I would just like to know from anyone who may have suffered from this too, about what steps did it take to get you back on your feet. Im willing to take some medication, but is this suscribed from say a therapist? Anyways I need to change because I cant live being afraid of this any longer. Any advice will help :)

Thanks.

[MrGreen]

You go see a doctor first of all. The doctor will listen to what you have to say and may put you on some tablets based on your account of things. A therapist might be needed. We don't know that yet. Some times a therapist works and you don't need any tablets at all. Other times you might need both.

As someone who was housebound for over a decade I know what it is like to see all those things go by the by. Friends, sports, social life in basic. What I done was just accepted it and built a new life around what I could do. There must be some things you can still manage to do. Even if it means the garden or something. Just something to focus in on. To give you time out away from thinking about your problems. Last thing we need is to sit in our rooms thinking ' poor me '. We have all done it. Makes you feel a whole lot worse. One step at a time. Further each week or two. Back to basics of don't run before you can walk. That life still waits for you out there. Once you accept what you have is an anxiety problem and face up to it you will get that life back.

[dougall19]

To add to that. Im also putt off getting help because well, right now I have nothing. Even if I do get better, I still lost all my friends, family, and my girlfriend who I do still miss. But im willing to get help, just need some info on what I should do.