Benzos are also addictive (which is why I’m on Vistaril), so I can see the concern. Are you on a mood stabilizer?
Yes I’m on 900mg Lithium/ day.
It helps a bunch. Right now I’m trying to reverse my agoraphobic tendencies with my social worker. I learned if you have a panic disorder, like me, and you’re having a panic attack, and it feels like this is it, I’m going, like some disease process is going on, then it is important to tell yourself “It’s okay.”. This is what my worst panic attacks feel like. I have not had one like these in a while (knock on wood).
I thought that was really cool to help actually reverse this terrible anxiety. It works for me.
Do you have panic disorder?
I have generalized anxiety disorder and C-PTSD as a secondary diagnosis. I’m very prone to panic.
I have compassion for you. It’s really hard sometimes. How do you cope?
1 Like
Being really, really empathetic with myself has been helpful. Recognizing that it’s okay to be scared and that it’s not a real danger have been key.
1 Like
Wonderful. I am forever, forever grateful that we live in the time we do. With modern healthcare, nothing can hold us back.
Vistaril
Buspar
Minipress
Effexor xr
Hi @karl. Lexapro (Escitalopram) is an antidepressant of the SSRI variety which is also used to treat anxiety. It is not a Benzo. (There are others here with greater knowledge than I and can probably answer your question better than I can).
I think once you get your anxiety under control you will find that your poverty of speech/thought will improve considerably, as it has done for me. When we are anxious we seem to get all tongue tied and twisted, and can’t absorb nor convey information.
I had been on a 20mg dose and have had huge improvements in both my depression and anxiety, but my Pdoc wants to push it that little bit further to see if she can cure the remaining anxiety and has upped the dose to 30mgs.
I have only been on this higher dose for three weeks so hope to see some major improvement. 
1 Like
My partner suffers from generalised anxiety disorder with a tendency toward hyperchondriasis. He takes Escitalopram, and it has been wonders for him. Has made a huge difference. I only get anxiety now and then, and have Diazepam for those episodes.
This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.