Fred - Further to my last post, it has been my clinical experience that the SSRI antidepressants are much safer and more effective for a vast majority of anxiety disorders than are benzodiazepines over the long term. In most cases, benzos should be used short-term, and then only to augment an antidepressant.

In some disorders (eg. bipolar disorder or panic disorder) benzodiazepines may need to be taken on a chronic basis, but again, only as an adjunct (ie augmenting agent) to a primary medication, whether that primary medication is a mood stabilizer or anitdepressant.

It has been my experience that SSRIs are far more effective and safe than benzodiazepines in the treatment of chronic anxiety. Benzodiazepines only mask the symptoms of anxiety, whereas SSRIs will alleviate the symptoms of chronic anxiety. Also, using SSRIs for chronic anxiety allow one to lead a better quality of life of life, if only from the standpoint of comparing side effect profiles.

I hope that this is of some help. - Cam