xanax works very quickly...but also wears off suddenly and quickly...sometimes before the anxiety has actuall diminished...which often causes one to reach for another xanax, which increases the addiction potential. Klonopin didn't work for me, but works for many people. I take ativan if the anxiety is headed fro panic...and inderol to prevent anxiety if I know I am going to be in a situation where I need to be calm (ish) but also need to function well...like giving a presentation in school. Inderol is a beta blocker taht is used a lot in performance anxiety...non-adicting. Anyway...there's a couple more options for you to explore.