I smoked weed for the first time when I was a sophomore in high school. My friends who smoked me out got me wayyyy too high, and I had major anxiety but never had a full-on panic attack. My first-time experience really freaked me out, so I didn't smoke for a while. Eventually, I smoked again and had a great time. I've smoked about every six months until now (I am a sophomore in college). My experience with weed has been pretty 60/40. 60% of the time, I am anxious, and 40% of the time, I am not. I usually avoid weed altogether because of these odds, but it got to a point where I started KNOWING I would panic if I smoked. About three months ago, I accidentally smoked too much and had a panic attack.
I tried to distract myself by taking a shower and walking around, but I still felt like I was going to die. Whenever I panic while smoking, I start to manually breathe. The breathing wasn't a new issue for me, but it was increasingly worse this time. The next day, I was fine, but I vowed that that would be my last time smoking for a WHILE. About a week later, my friend and I were going on a road trip. I started to breathe manually, and I felt like I was stoned. It freaked me out so much that I had a panic attack. It was my first panic attack while sober. I have always had a lot of anxiety growing up, but I have never had panic attacks. I had to make my friend drive home because of the attack. Ever since the first panic attack, I started having crippling anxiety (especially in cars because that's where it started). I've noticed that I always start to panic when I am forced to sit still and can't distract myself. I also have ADHD, so I think that has contributed to this. I went on a trip the day after my first panic attack and had severe anxiety the whole time. I felt so unlike myself, convinced that I could never be the same again. I had a couple of panic attacks throughout the trip because I would start to "feel stoned" (even though I wasn't) and get anxious.
After returning from the trip, I made an emergency appointment with my doctor. She put me on 5 mg of Lexapro. She also prescribed me Buspirone to take as needed for my panic attacks. The first couple of weeks were still hard (I'm sure many of you know how that goes when starting on Lexapro), but I did not have any panic attacks. That was 2 months ago. I feel more like my old self now. The Lexapro has helped, and I am more motivated and happy than ever. But, I still have increased anxiety and begin to panic in triggering situations (car trips, etc.) Although I am happier, it is still an issue that I cannot get over. I have tried riding in cars as much as possible to combat some of the anxiety and panicking. It has helped, but it is still not great.

Has anyone experienced something similar to this?? I know it is oddly specific and confusing. Please let me know if anyone has any tips or something to share. I am only 19, and I don't want this to be a consistent problem in my life.