Every person I have known on Xanax has become addicted to it/dependent on it.

If you really need A fast acting anxiety med as opposed to or in addition to an ssri I would seriously consider doing a different med in the same class. There are certainly many who take Xanax, it works, and they are fine but many,many people do get addicted. (it has a lot to do with genetics and not much to do with willpower--you won't kmow if you are someone who can take it fine or someone who will have trouble until you start. Try other benzodiazepines first!

I echo the PPs and recommend you try a SSRI before you go to xanax. Xanax is highly physically addictive - you can have seizures if you stop suddenly. It is also much more "hard core," in its effect (I've done both).
In my view (and I'm not a dr. so take it with a grain of salt!) xanax should be for certain situations - triggers, or a particularly stressful time in life due to external factors. If your problem is chronic anxiety (which is what I have), an SSRI is a better solution. Zoloft has worked wonders for me, but there are many other options.

I have taken Xanax on an as-needed basis for many years--it has been a miracle drug for my isolated panic attacks. I have never taken it more than a few times per year and have never found it addictive. Sometimes simply having it in my purse or the dresser drawer has been enough. I recommend it highly.

They have an slow release xanax which I find very helpful.

Good Luck!

OP here again, thanks for sharing your experiences everyone. I've now read more about panic attacks and realize that I have been having these for years, and just never realized what was going on. I experience a feeling of dread, racing heart and my hands shake. I just thought I was weird! I did not realize the condition has a name and a treatment. I never mentioned this to any of my doctors because I didn't know it is a treatable condition! I am feeling better just knowing that this has a name and a treatment!

FYI , medication is a last resort for me, I have tried deep breathing, meditation and exercise. I'm sure they help a little, but not enough for right now. Thank you, thank you, all.

Xanex was a life saver for me years ago during a terrible work situation with a bat crazy bordering on sociopathic supervisor. I also had other stressors going on including an ill parent. I took it during acute stress only like having to meet with psycho supervisor. It took an awful/miserable situation and just put it farther away. I could step back and think "yeah, this sucks" without needing to sob hysterically and become paralyzed with panic.

I can see how it would addictive. Once I finally left that job, I rarely used it. I think I took it the first day of a new job and when major crisis hit (family member in hospital, huge tree branch fell on our home), but 99% of the time I didn't need it. I could cope. Plus, I actually recalled the feeling of being on xanex. So when a stressor hit that might have upset me before I could imagine the feeling of being on xanex and deal usually.

Now if you are not dealing with some major life changing stressors and this is just your day to day state, I would look into a long term anti-anxiety med, rather than a fast acting and potentially addictive drug.

Sounds like you really are suffering from panic attacks. I had one once, so I sympathize.

Although, full disclosure, my attack was pretty much my own fault. I was in college, walking through the grad, and I happened to glance at the library. Then something in my brain clicked, and I remembered I had a full-length term paper (like 10 pages minimum plus references) due in two days. My vision blurred, I could feel my heart pounding, and I got really really hot. But in my case, turning left and entering the library was a better solution than drugs.

You, OTOH, will almost certainly benefit from the right prescription. Be ready to try a few different medications -- everyone reacts differently to them. And definitely tell your doc to start with non-addictive types if that concerns you. There are plenty of options.

Take care. And check your syllabus every now and then.

I took Xanex for anxiety attacks and it was very helpful. My children were young at the time, and it never made me feel 'out of it'; rather, it kept my mind from making all the negative thoughts which were making me anxious. Good luck to you!

OP here, thanks for all the feedback! I have an appointment Monday and will talk with my doctor. With my anxiety attacks, I don't really get a feeling in the pit of my stomach, it is more of a racing heart and incipient panic/doom. I have never actually panicked, but my heart rate has gone as high as 120! (while waiting for my teen to complete their driver's ed test.) Horrible sensation.

I took one of my mom's once (as in only one 1/2 of a pill, one time), at her insistence during a particularly anxious and stressful time. It was amazing. It just made me feel normal. Not drugged up or funny at all - just like someone took that feeling away that you get when you are feeling stressed/anxious/scared - the feelings in the pit of your stomach. I wouldn't hesitate to take it again if I had at time during my life that I felt I needed it. I'm concerned about people's comments about it being addictive though - I'd ask your doctor about that.

I wouldn't do Xanax unless you are having acute panic attacks . If it is more of a generalized anxiety I think a better bet would be a low dose SSRI like Lexapro. The dosing for anxiety is significantly less than that of depression so you don't usually have to deal with side effects.

Xanax is addictive and causes drowsiness. If you have certain triggers like airplane trips or dental visits it is a good option because you can use it sparingly. But for a general type of anxiety you should really take something like an SSRI.

xanax is particularly addictive. you should try klonopin or ativan first. take as infrequently and as small a dose as you can.

I've had anxiety issues in the past and have used Xanax for it. It was a life saver for me when my anxiety was a big problem. Now, I only use it when I need it and it defnietly helps and you will see that it works quickly. Sometimes it just takes that edge off that is in your gut that won't go away regardless what you do.

I have mild anxiety issues but due to recent stressors it has gotten worse lately. My therapist has recommended I have Xanax available to use on an as needed basis and recommended I ask my doctor about it. I am interested in any experiences with Xanax as I don't really like the idea of using medication but the anxiety is so unpleasant that I am considering it. Has anyone else found it to be effective? Thanks in advance!