Hi Jedi. I'm sorry you're suffering with severe anxiety. I know how that can negatively affect one's sleep, and so many other things. I have to agree with Moose72 that benzos for sleep are not a good idea for most of us. I do take a benzo at night, but only a tiny dose. I wish I never ever took Klonopin at all. My psychiatrist pretty much refuses to take me off of it, for various reasons (withdrawal being one of them, since I've been on it for 10 years). I will say that the benzo Ativan can definitely be helpful for my anxiety, but I am quite happy that I am now taking it as a "prn" (as needed), and only rarely. I had a heck of a time getting off a daily dose I once took for akathisia. Really, I don't want to take Ativan unless I really have to. The withdrawal was tough! Also, when I took it daily, it stopped being as effective as it was/is taken occasionally.

Has your psychiatrist considered a small dose of an antipsychotic, like Seroquel, to help you sleep? Have you ever tried Seroquel or another antipsychotic that is sedating? I take Seroquel XR as another one of my "moodstabilizers". I take 500 mg, but many people benefit from a little dose of the instant release, like 25 or 50 mg, for use as a sleep aid. I can't speak for everyone, but I doubt 25 or 50 mg gives most people many/any side effects. There are other similar meds that are used in small doses for the same purpose. Seroquel has also been helpful at controlling my anxiety. My base dose of 500 mg XR keeps it pretty well in check. I have also taken doses like 25 and 50 mg of the instant release as actual anxiety and agitation relievers, when my Ativan was not available. It usually helped me. I'm to a point where a little extra at night helps me fall asleep, but 25 or 50 mg taken during the day doesn't tire me out that much. It just puts me into a "smoooooooooth JAZZ" state of mind, or helps decrease developing hypomania/mania.