I have bad anxiety, When I go out I freak out, what should I do?!

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Anxiety disorder is a physiological, biological disorder -- an imbalance of chemicals of the brain. Would you try to talk someone out of having diabetes? Would you tell a diabetic that they were wrong to treat their hormonal deficiencies with medication? You have a chemical imbalance in your brain. And, you are refusing medical treatment, declaring that "pills are out of the question". That really limits your options.

You said "pills are out of the question". Why? If you have a problem, ruling out solutions before you have even tried them is a GREAT WAY TO FAIL at solving your problem. You've had time to try to solve this problem, yourself. You aren't really doing a very good job at it. There are professionals, like your family doctor, who are TRAINED to help people with this problem. You aren't. If you want to solve your problem, you might try having some respect for the suggestions from people who know how to help you.

See your family doctor. For a very small office visit fee, you can talk to your family doctor about your anxiety disorder, and he can prescribe an anti-anxiety medication that can help. You can use the medication to help you over the hump of gradual habituation. After you get more used to being around people again, you will no longer need it. When you start your new job, ask whether they have an employee assistance plan that will offer reduced cost counselling, or check at the college when you get there. You will need some counselling, because you have spent some time with this chemical imbalance in your brain, and it has caused you to develop some habits of attitude and behavior that will hold you back in life, unless you identify and correct them.

Find forums and websites online about agoraphobia and anxiety disorders. Read everything you can. Start learning about nutrional health. There are vitamins and supplements that can help stabilize your mood, such as 5HTP, fish oil capsules, inositol.

Do you drink caffeine? If so, STOP. You will go through withdrawals for a bit, but eventually you will start feeling much better. Caffeine has a bad effect on anyone, but adding caffeine to an anxiety disorder is like carrying Coals to Newcastle.

Exercise, exercise, exercise. Exercise causes the body to release endorphins and helps to stabilize mood. Also, find things to laugh at. Anything. Just make sure you spend some time laughing every day. Spend time with a pet. If you don't have one, see if you can find one to visit. Time with animals can help to reduce physiological stress.

Gradual habituation is good therapy for a phobia, basically dipping a toe in the water. Your new job will help you with that.

Organized activities work better, sometimes, for people with social anxiety. There is less requirement for free form social interaction, and there is a schedule, so you have things to do to keep your mind off your worries, and other people have things to do to keep them from demanding more from you than you are ready for. You'll find that this is true for college classes, so it may be easier than you think to go to college. You can work up slowing to socializing outside of class.

If you rule out all of the tried and true solutions, then you may eliminate your chance of getting better. Take a good look at all of the walls you are building in your mind. It's possible that those walls are keeping you from moving forward. Maybe, those walls don't really have to be there. That's one thing counselling can help you do -- find out how you may be sabotaging yourself.

I'm sorry you are feeling bad. I hope you find a solution. Best Wishes and Good Luck!!

Deep breathing will relax your mind and body. Take each day in small steps, and work through it.
In college they usually have a free counseling center, where you could talk with a therapist at no cost--or very minimal.
make sure you are getting enough exercise and sleep--and eat nutritiously.
Good luck.

24 years psychiatry by profession

read up about panic attacks and agoraphobia, you may have them

to calm yourself relax, dont tense up or fight back and do breathe deep and slow

valium as needed helps a lot, dont be too proud to take it as you only hurt yourself

Might want to try hypnosis or a hypnosis alternative for your anxiety. Below is a press release that came out this week

http://www.prweb.com/releases/hypnosis/s…

im consistanly anxious, and i self medicate with weed. it helps quite a bit. not saying its the best option, but it is an option

Try going to church, I know I sound all religious. But seriously, People are always friendly and social, and you don't have to worry about being made fun of or being hurt or anything. It should build up your confidence about being social. But don't be too social, or you'll just end up looking like a froot loop. Or maybe try getting a Facebook and being social on there.
Hope I helped-

Well the good news Johnny is your only 20, you have your whole life ahead of you. I don't mean to sound poetic but, my advice: Every day do one thing that scares you...on purpose! In a healthy manner, be the first to say hello to a stranger, give a compliment to someone you don't know. Go somewhere where there's lot's of people and hang out over a cup of coffee and study the atmosphere while mentally finding things you like about it. Only focus on the positive! Focus on the solution never the problem, this is how we create harmony in our lives ; ) And Johnny, learn to Love Yourself. Look in the mirror and say somthing nice to your reflection every day. Give it time and you will start to believe it ; )