Anxiety Disorders?

I'm not a mother (yet!) but I have struggled with anxiety and panic attack disorder my entire life. It has manifested itself in many different ways... through the years I have suffered hypochondria, OCD, panic attacks (all my life,) totally irrational fears, night terrors etc. I have been on several SSRI's (medication used for anxiety and depression) including prozac, paxil, cymbalta, and lexapro. I recently came of all medication 100%. I am trying to go all natural for when I get pregnant. Honestly, I feel the same if not better being off the meds! I kind of believe they help for awhile and then there comes a point where most people don't need them anymore, but we keep taking them.
I have been in counseling several times in my life... I have been with a great counselor for past 3 years and I adore her! Just last week I told her about my crazy irrational fears at night and she gave me great tips about how to try and deal with it. And it has seriously worked!
I very much recommend starting with a counselor and going from there. I would work with a psychiatrist for medication management, not a regular PCP. Also, if you have panic attacks, get some benzodyazapines (Xanax etc) they are fast working and will stop it quickly. Those have been my miracle for the past 10 years. You are not alone! The truth is, you don't have to suffer. It is very empowering to get help and address the situation! 
Good luck to you!

I just wanted to say that I have been having a terrible time post partum with anxiety and depression.  I am glad that people have felt they can share their stories because I have felt very alone and guilty in my struggles.  Thank you all for sharing! 

Hey Jo, I don't spend much time on this board anymore, but just noticed your post and wanted to reply.  My husband and I both deal with anxiety disorders.  Russ has panic attacks, and some times quite frequently.  He gets them mostly in the summer when it is hot outside and usually when he is going to be in a small area and can't leave at his leisure.  (chlosterphobia like)  I, on the other hand, deal with social anxiety.  I never really had problems with it until the last 2 years or so and it had gotten pretty bad.  It was to the point where I didn't want to see friends and some times family.  I would walk into my coworkers office and get all nervous talking to them, one-on-one, and would get sweaty and turn bright red.  it was horrible, I hated it!  I had known these coworkers for years, so it wasn't like either of us were new or anything.  So, I saw my PCP and told her what was going on and was put on Zoloft.  Wow, it really has worked.  I took it a few years ago for depression but I didn't like how sweaty I got from it.  I don't have the side affect now.  Russ also takes Zoloft and as long as he is good about taking it every day then he doesn't really get panic attacks much any more.

Good luck and I hope you find something that works for you.  It can be very frustrating to deal with.