I was diagnosed in 1988 with anxiety/panic attacks...At the point I was finally diagnosed and finally found out that I wasn't crazy I had gotten to the point where I wouldn't go any further than my front porch.After I started taking meds I had to learn to go back out to places little by little.It took me a couple years before I was comfortable enough to drive by myself.I go long periods of time where I do well,but sometimes something triggers the anxiety and it starts again.I have been taking klonopin(clonazepam) 0.5 off and on since 1994.I can take them ir not take them.I don't understand why Dr's keep saying they are so addictive.I think Xanax are more addictive.
I hope you get back out there and keep doing things.Some things just make you anxious despite the meds and trying to stay calm.I still get uncomfortable in crowds and I get anxious every time I have to go see my Dr.I see him Monday and already I am anxious about it.
This anxiety is just a crazy ride... =)

The onset of a medical diagnosis can be scary and often comes with many new emotions and feelings. I know from experience because I faced a scary diagnosis in 2013 and I had to learn a lot about life very quickly. Much like yourself, I did not want to talk about it. Overtime I grew increasingly anxious and to make matters worse I became terribly fearful of being sick in front of others, so I began to avoid people all together. I was too sick to work, so I was fired, only increasing my isolation. I saw my doctors and that was the only source of interaction I had with the outside world besides my husband. I finally opened up to my neurologist, I admitted how I'd always had anxiety, but getting sick made me spiral. She referred me to a therapist, made me promise to go...she said this was the most important step in my treatment plan. I was skeptical of therapy, but today, I'm doing better than I ever have. I learned how to cope with my anxiety, I gained acceptance of my diagnosis and I found a new sense of confidence in myself. It's still a work in progress and takes a lot of work, but it's been the most beneficial change I've ever made in my life.

If you have the time and availability, I think looking into therapy could be helpful for you too. Medications are great for some, but sometimes you just need a little more help. My therapist was trained on a vast array of therapy techniques, so we tried various methods until we figured out what worked best. It was a mashup of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Meditation, and mindfulness therapy.

I'm wishing you all the best. Sending hugs and positive vibes your way.

Maybe your doctor should give you something stronger, like maybe Ativan a.k.a. Lorazepam? That's what I take. All of that stuff is addictive if you take it often enough. I only take the Ativan as needed and I rarely need it now that I'm back on Prozac, which helps a great deal with my anxiety. I understand what you mean about getting anxiety when going to social events. I'm the same way, with or without my meds. I hate having to go to parties that my boyfriend's family has. There's always so many people and I just clam up and feel like I can't breathe. I rarely say a word to anyone and then I worry that they judge me because of it, or think I'm being rude.

As for discussing your disease with family members, you don't have to tell them anything you don't want to. Just kindly tell them that you would rather not discuss it right now.

Hope I could be of some help. Take care.

I just read about avoidance personality disorder today which describes a lot of your symptoms...they come up with a lot of new names for our conditions...but since they have come up with the new names....

I definitely think...I fall in this category as well...