Xanax. But, I take a very low dose daily. I tried taking just as needed, and it didn't help. Mostly, as needed didn't work for me because I'm so used to living with anxiety that I don't really know when 'as needed' is until I'm in the midst of a panic attack. Also, my anxiety levels are constantly very high, so as needed really is constantly. So - I take a very low dose 3 times a day and that helps me to manage the anxiety. My pdoc has okayed me taking another half or whole pill as needed during the day, if something happens and my anxiety increases.

Taking the Xanax allows the anxiety to be manageable enough that anxiety isn't the only thing I'm feeling, and then I can do the hard work that is talk therapy.

I KNOW that Xanax can be addicting. I know that lots of people have had issues coming off of it. My pdoc and I have discussed this. He and I feel that my dose is low enough that it is not going to cause me problems. I've had days where I've skipped a dose or two and experienced no ill effects other than noticing that my anxiety eventually goes back up to pre-Xanax levels.

Anti-depressants did nothing for me, and actually increased my anxiety because I was stressing about the side-effects I had from them.