I took valium for 9 months and when trying to come off of it I had to go to rehab b/c my body had become addicted. STAY AWAY FROM THE BENZOS!! The hell that it put me through I can't explain. I rather deal with the anxiety and social phobia (both of which I have as well). I started taking 2mgs a day, and the doctor kept uping the dose until I was at 30mgs a day. Of course I wasn't anxious, I was nothing!! BBLLAAHHH! The pain and rebound anxiety was unbearable. I just quit Buspar and had no benefit. In fact, over the years and the 8 or so different meds I've been on and off, I've decided that they don't help. Not a one has ever brought me back to normal, and the side effects have all been unpleasant. I'm med free now and doing the Linden Method which surprisingly enough makes perfect sense and is working. Research it and give it a try. GET OFF THE MEDS! It will never get better if you keep covering up the probleml; face the problem with an attitude of "I can get better". Hope this helps and good luck.