I've come a long way in understanding my anxiety, mainly because of meditation and countless self-help books and videos. I've always been prone to anxiety, but this current episode has been worse than anything before and has lasted over 6 months. 

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I set myself a deadline: since much of my anxiety has stemmed from stomach problems and I dreaded my upcoming colonoscopy, I decided to only try meds if my mood doesn't get better after that. 

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Even though my colonoscopy went fine and nothing truly traumatising happened, it was my first experience with hospitals and I felt so,  so awful during it. I spent 24h sitting on toilet floor, panicking. I can't stop thinking about it and I feel like my "inner child" is still crying after it. It's been three days and my anxiety is horrible. Small things cause lots of distress, sofa is my only safe place and going outside horrifies me. 

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I have been diagnosed with GAD, and I think I have tendency to emetophobia, agoraphobia and hypochondria. I have a prescription for escitalopram. Since starting SSRI can cause nasty side effects, I plan to start it after the next week, since my school will be over then and I have no responsibilities. 

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Is there anything I could do to get over this experience, to feel more normal again? Anything to ease the situation before I can try medication? (and I know, it will take few weeks before even that will help, if it will at all. I am pretty confident it will though. )