Hey guys, I just wanna start by saying how wonderful it is to have a safe friendly board to go to ask questions about meds and talk about symptoms and such. Its really helped me cope some so thank you everyone. If you havent seen my earlier posts im kind of new to meds and treatment. So I have a question regarding anti anxiety pills, im only on anti depressants and anti psychotics, for a little over a week I think. But ive still been very anxious, like extremely anxious. I cant go near anyone I dont now, yesterday at my familys christmas party I had to retreat to my room for the night after the third guest. And even when im in my room im still freaking out over something, though its supposed to be a comfort zone. So I was going to speak with my doctor on the third to see about anti anxieties. I dont know much about them, besides that most of my friends get high off them. I just wanna know what has worked best for you guys, and what wont have me dooped out, I dont want to loose my functionality. The way people talk they shut you off for days, of course that could only be when you abuse them. Idk im rambling
A little over a week is a very short time
See your doc get on the right meds and then it takes time
Try to manage the anxiety
Hope you improve over time and keep a pma
Everyone is anxious I hope realizing that will ease your struggle. You just have to go with the flow.
You can’t get high off all anti-anxieties, so if you’re worried about that, talk to your doctor about ones with a low abuse potential. When I started anti-anxieties, I didn’t even know I had GAD until they started working and I suddenly felt so relieved that I didn’t have to worry about everything all the time. In my opinion, it’s worth a shot to see if they help. I’ve taken Xanax and Ativan, and those will “shut you off for days,” but I also take Risperdal for anxiety, and it just makes me feel like my normal self. Hope that helps; sorry for ranting.
You really ought to talk about your anxiety with your psychiatrist - I would steer away from all benzodiazapines at this point.
Benzos are hands down the best most effective meds one can take for anxiety, especially if you suffer from panic attacks and severe anxiety, but they are highly addictive - I personally am dependent on Klonopin and although I dont abuse the drug, I am physically dependent on it now.
SSRI antidepressants are good for anxiety and panic as well, but it really has to be the right one at the right dose - you said that you are on an antidepressant already - have this discussion with your doctor, not everyone can handle antidepressants, especially if you are prone to mania.
I would talk to your doctor about maybe adding Buspar or Gabapentin (Neurontin) to your cocktail - these drugs are not addictive to the point where you may have to go to rehab to get off of them - no real physical addiction with them.
I’ve tried Ativan, Xanax, and Valium. All three are addictive and I have to very careful when I take them because I’m a recovering addict. I abused them a little when I was a practicing addict (I’ve got 25 years clean now from all drugs including alcohol). They can produce a mild euphoria and they can calm you down. Doctors will try to prescribe a dosage that will not knock you out but still make you drowsy. I’ve moved a few times in the last 20 years and my doctor used to give me Ativan when I moved to combat the anxiety and stress that moving causes. I would need them until I got acclimated to my new surroundings and then my doctor would take me off of them. This is my experience with them.
They never prescribed me anti anxiety pills saying they are addictive
Benzos are awesome for anxiety, but because so many people abuse them doctors can be very hesitant to prescribe them. Even if you’ve never abused drugs. I take Klonopin and without it I wouldn’t be functioning as well as I am. It doesn’t dope me up. In fact once my body got used to it I don’t feel it anymore. It just stops my anxiety and calms me so I don’t escalate into panic attacks. I like Klonopin the most because it lasts the longest. The only down side is you cannot drink on it. If I plan on drinking I don’t take it that morning. With alcohol it can cause black outs or can be fatal as the two together will depress your respiratory system. I’ve found that when I went to a community mental health center for my meds they were very against prescribing benzos. They basically told me to just deal with my anxiety. Now I see a private psychiatrist and he is fine with prescribing it. As @Wave mentioned Neurontin also works great for anxiety. Unfortunately it made me manic so I couldn’t stay on it. Good luck. 
Yeah I like Klonopin as well. It really helps me in stressful situations - I am sorry that you had a bad experience with Neurontin @SunGirl - these meds can be tricky sometimes
I’m on seroxat which helps
I was very disappointed I couldn’t take it because it would have helped my nerve pain, my back pain, and my anxiety. I’ve never been manic before and it was fun, but I could see how it could get bad fast.