I am also wary about benzodiazepines. I took buspar for a few while, but I felt no effect. I've heard that it's pretty weak, especially on its own, but works better when paired with an SSRI (but I have no citation for that...it's just what I read somewhere.)

I've taken hydroxyzine (a prescription antihistamine) for anxiety and it worked okay, but it made me pretty sleepy.

Good luck finding something that works for you.

-apislily