I also am dealing with GAD. I am anxious about everything. Panic attacks scared the daylights out of me when I fist started having them. I did have the racing heart beats, had a hard time catching my breath and was covered in sweat. I thought I was dying. I have tried a few different meds and no luck until my dr. put me on xanax. That made me nervous because it is addictive but it is working better then the other meds I have tried. We will se about withdrawls when it is time to come off of it,,,,Good luck,,,