Interesting question.

earthmama, I sometimes get manic periods where I am super productive and go go go. I consider them to be normal mood variations for me and they do not cause me any problems. I feel more "up" when I am in one of these periods. I don't need to sleep as much, I get a lot done, and I am able to brush aside worries that have been plaguing me.

I do have a lot of anxiety but how I am at these times is very different from when I am feeling "up" as I described above. When I am very anxious, I worry a lot, can't sleep well, get very stressed and irritable, feel overwhelmed, can't focus due to intruding thoughts about my worries, feel I can't cope, etc. When I am in one of my "up" periods, I am really not worrying about things and don't feel overwhelmed or like I can't cope. I feel very confident, and a bit empowered, like hey, I can do this after all!

I have taken Xanax for anxiety before, and it made me feel less anxious. But I've never taken benzos to try to tone down an "up" mood. I also have taken meds that made me feel more "up" and these did not contribute to my anxiety (didn't help it either). But sometimes on these meds, I have felt, "enough already, I just want to relax" but I can't because the meds are artificially making me feel "up." It can be a trade-off, taking meds. They can eliminate your natural variation in mood, which has its purpose--times of low energy to relax and contemplate, and times of higher energy to work and produce.

Anyway, for me, feeling manic/up and experiencing anxiety are two different things. Could be different for you.

I hope you can get back to what is most comfortable for you.