I would post more if I could, but I'm short on time. I will say this, though. Avoid benzos at all costs. They are an absolute LAST resort and only if absolutely necessary...because once someone with serious anxiety issues starts on benzos, they are NOT coming off without a lot of pain and suffering. If you think your anxiety is bad now, you will want to DIE when detoxing from benzos. Your anxiety will be 100X worse and you will very likely end up hospitalized.
If OTC options such as KSM-66, l-theanine, etc...don't work, there are prescription options that are much safer than benzos. Don't underestimate what I am about to tell you either. I've seem this combo save people's lives. I worked in the mental health field (particularly drug addiction) about 15 years ago and saw/learned a lot.
Escitalopram
Hydroxyzine
Metoprolol
The Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine with gabaergic effects that is best taken before bed, as it will help you sleep while interacting directly with the receptors responsible for preventing anxiety. A dose of 25-50 mg/day is common, although 25 mg is likely more than adequate to begin with. It can also be used for breakthrough anxiety, if needed.
Escitalopram is an anti-depressant with proven anxiolytic effects that has been FDA approved to treat anxiety. It should be taken daily at a dosage of 10-20 mg/daily (I recommend starting at 10 mg). It can and often does make a BIG difference for people with anxiety and the side effects are generally mild with no known long-term side effects. Furthermore, if is one of the easiest anti-depressants to go off of, as most people can discontinue the drug with little to no meaningful side effects. Some users experience moderate withdrawal symptoms, but they are never serious and don't last long. Lastly, many people notice this drug's anxiolytic effects IMMEDIATELY...not 2-3 weeks later, but don't worry if it takes a bit of time for its full effects to manifest. Not everyone experiences relief after the first dose (although it is somewhat common in those with anxiety issues).
Metoprolol is a beta blocker that has the unique ability to block epinephrine from attaching to receptors in cardiac tissue. You see, one of the problems with anxiety is that it causes epinephrine (adrenalin) to be released into the bloodstream, which increases heart rate and further intensifies anxiety. This tends to cause a loop effect, in which the individual feels the anxiety coming on (due to epinephrine being released into the bloodstream), which in turn makes the individual worry even more, which in turn causes the body to release even more epinephrine.
This vicious cycle can be stopped with metoprolol, as circulating epinephrine is no longer able to bind to heart receptors, thereby preventing your heart from racing and stopping the loop effect from occurring. So, it not only stops the body from experiencing the physical symptoms of an anxiety attack, but it also puts a stop to the self-induced mental mind-****ery that so many people with anxiety experience. Metoprolol should only be used when you actually feel an attack coming on, not as a daily preventative...unless you are already having serious daily attacks. The drug works quickly, so if you need to take it will will begin working within 30-40 minutes or so. A common dosage for people with anxiety is 12-25 mg, as needed
If you are as bad off as you sound, go set up an appointment with your doctor today and ask him for a prescription for all 3 of these. He may be familiar with this approach, but if not explain to him why you want to try these drugs. I received this protocol from a doctor who specializes in treating anxiety, so let him know that if you want to. He will likely appreciate and commend your desire to abstain from benzos, as well as your willingness to try other options before going to highly addictive drugs like benzos.
I would be shocked if you did not experience dramatic relief from this program.
