I went through some bad anxiety for a while. I never saw a professional, and never took prescription medication. I really only had one friend that tried to help a lot, but they had a lot on their plate and couldn't do a lot. I had another friend who helped some, but again, not much. I was on my 4th year living in my car with no family around, and those were my only 2 friends, things kept getting worse. I would be sitting in my car at night having panic attacks. The only thing i had that helped me at all were some natural supplements i took. If you have a vitamin or health food store around see if they carry Gaba. Get it in capsule form. This way you can open it up, and put it in a bottle of water, it's more effective that way. Also buy some B6, it helps enhance the effects. The price of the Gaba is about $20 or less for 90 pills, and the B6 you can get at Walmart for $2-3, and then you can break them in half since the lowest dose is still more than you need.
I am doing better with my anxiety now (i moved out of state and into my dads house so i had a place to live), but i can still get some anxiety once in a while. When i get it, i have to stop and recognize that it's anxiety and nothing else. You really have to fight the feeling something is wrong, but keep reassuring yourself its anxiety. I also take Gaba, i keep a bottle at the house in case i get some anxiety.
A friend of mine had severe anxiety too. She would pace 3-4 hours per attack, trying to walk off the adrenaline. Her first attack took place in her car. She suffered for a few months, until, ironically, her car gave up the ghost. She went months without being able to drive, while she was away from a car her anxiety got better. She also went without prescription meds. She had a little counseling, but didn't have it the whole time.
Seems a big part of escaping anxiety is to figure out what causes it and, if possible, try to separate from it.
One thing i know, is the people around you can sometimes become frustrated, as they often don't understand what you're going through. Make sure to be open and share how you are feeling during the attacks ( don't man during the attacks, but when you're not having an attack, explain what the attacks are like), and either do some research yourself, or ask them to research Anxiety, so that way they have a better understanding, and may help them be more patient and supportive.
Some counseling could also be useful. I'd avoid prescription drugs unless it gets too bad.