Panic/Anxiety is dominating my life

To someone who can help.

I recently turned down the opportunity to go on conference for my job. It was a great opportunity. But I'm afraid that when I get there surrounded by colleagues and others and have panic attacks. My anxiety had been long suppressed, but over the past year has become a big problem. It mainly came about after I was having bad GERD (which I am convinced was a result of anxiety). The GERD triggered this constant fear of choking, narrowing of the esophagus, etc.

My wife could not understand why I turned down the conference. I can tell she is really disappointed in me, but I only recently started going to a professional (here's the ironic thing, I'm a clinical social worker), but the psychiatrist was soley focused on meds. I'm not totally opposed to this, but I want to work through this and not just let meds be my savior in a bottle. I am a devout christian and this causes an internal conflict for me in feeling I am not strong enough to face this. I do feel that I am not ready for this conference. I want to get a grip on this anxiety first.

Maybe I was wrong and I should just go on this conference and faced my fears (whatever they may be)? Sorry for such a long message, but hopefully someone can offer me some assistance?

Hi Elijah,
the way out is the way through. If you have the strength to attend the conference go inspite of the feelings( if you fear that you will have an attack, you will survive, you could always excuse yourself to the bathroom) this is the way out of the anxiety not waiting for the anxiety to go first but to go inspite of it.
This affects people from all walks of life being a clinical social worker doesn't make you exempt, it's a human condition.
I have found when preparing for things like a seminar or public speaking I do lots of deep breathing while I am waiting to speak, it helps alot.
I have found the more that I give up the more time I have to focus on symptoms.
I too am a christian and would be interested in how you are troubled with you faith. I would love to discuss this with you if you would send me a private e-mail I will.
Lisa