I have had anxiety disorder and panic disorder for a year now. It all started back in April 2008 after one night of heavy drinking and smoking cigarettes (no longer smoke and cut back on drinking). For about a month prior to my first attack, I had been feeling really down about a relationship, had a lot of pressure from school and stress about work. Then my first attack occurred when I was hungover. I had it for four months straight. Dr. prescribed Paxil but I never took it. I seemed to have this under control. After about four straight months of frequent panic attacks--in which my symptoms were unexplained fear, cold flashes, some trembling, tingling of fingers and toes, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, dry throat, occasional nausea, lightheaded, feeling of severe nasal congestion--I experienced a period of 3 months in which I was almost absolutely anxiety and/or panic attack free. Then I got a panic attack again in November and have had occasional ones since then. In fact, even new symptoms developed. I now get occasional tension headaches (severe) which coupled with anxiety completely throw me out of sync and make it difficult for me to work with out missing. I had been feeling anxiety but had not had a panic attack for about the last 3 months straight, until tonight. I will like to add that back in December of 2008, another Dr. prescribed Celexa but I had a weird reaction. It wasn't allergic reaction, but the medicine made my symptoms a lot worse after just one dose. I was rushed to the ER. There they told me not to take it anymore and gave me Ativan. I took about 30 of those pills in about a month and half. They just made me feel drugged up--numb. I still felt the pressure on chest, and still had some difficulty breathing. I decided to stop taking the med. I heard it can be very addicting. I would like to know how to get rid of this alleged panic disorder and anxiety. I used to feel stressed about school but never reacted to this extreme. If it is my environment, well, I cannot quit my job and I plan to get a higher degree. I have been trying to control this without medication. However, I would try something if it will help. I am just afraid to try it, given my scary reaction to Celexa. I have been referred to behavioral health, but before seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist, one must see therapist first. He insists that psychiatrist will not give me anything different than the Ativan. He claims I will only get Zanax, which is almost the same. Furthermore, he claims that I may not have panic attacks. He thinks there might be something physically wrong with me. He thinks the congested sensation and the difficulty breathing even while on Ativan are unusual. He suggested having my heart checked out. I did, it came out normal. I've even stopped seeing the therapist--only met him twice. Usually after panic attack, in which I was seeking help. He just felt that seeing the psychiatrist was unnecessary. I need some advice. I want to get rid of this.