I remember I used to be prescribed a benzo [ativan] for those meltdown times; it did calm me down during episodes and made me feel more at peace. But that doc at the time did not realize why I was having stress--manic-anxiety [neither did I].

A week ago I would have said 'ask for it', but a week ago I didn't have the diagnosis I just got. My new doc and googling showed benzos are very bad for bipolar related anxiety.

Not sure what would work for you, but the counsel I received was not to take benzos. Maybe other people can add to that as well