Panic Attacks

[bates11]

Can i get some advice? I'm 21 and all my life I've had a low self esteem. I never been in a relationship and I am going through a rough time in my life at the moment. I'm in my fourth year in college and i don't know when I'm going to finish school. I recently had a panic attack and i went to the doctor and i was prescribed antidepressants for anxiety. It's been almost a month and I decided not to take the medication because I'm scared of the side effects.Is it normal to still feel symptoms daily. It's not as bad as the first time i had a panic attack but i still get symptoms like chest pain and headaches and it occurs daily but I deal with it. Any advise on how to deal with anxiety?

[Paxiled]

No, no advice, because everyone reacts differently.  I've taken it, but my experience won't necessarily have anything to do with yours.

[bates11]

Thanks for the advice. I was wondering I was given escitilopram for the anxiety but I'm not taking it and do you have any advice on that medication. I also went to my campus health center to make an appointment with an psychologist but I have to wait about a month for my appointment:(

[Paxiled]

My own opinion is the best thing you can do, especially given your stated long history with low self esteem, is to get into therapy with a psychologist rather than go on medication at this point.  Medication isn't a panacea and once you're on them they can be hard to stop taking, so if your life isn't so disrupted that you can't function try to solve the problem through therapy before using medication.  It won't go anywhere if you end up needing it.  Remember that doctors will only do what they're trained to do, which is give out meds -- they aren't trained in anything else.  Psychologists are trained in trying to see if they can get you to think differently, and those who specialize in anxiety treatment will be most helpful to you.  Again, if this becomes chronic or worse or whatever you can always decide to see a psychiatrist and talk medication.