I too take xanax for anxiety and panic attacks. I was told to go to therapy. Where i was told I had PTSD from 2 bad marriages and divorces, bipolar haven't gotten a reason why yet. But I call someone and I can talk myself down but I don't think I could without the meds.

I also have panic attacks and anxiety disorder.i have to take the Xanax though ...and behavioral modification. I have learned to recognize now that I am getting panicky or anxious and I try to start deep breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, etc.

I never took anything for those before recently...I've been getting real bad night sweats from frequent night terrors and they put me on hydroxyzine for anxiety/sleep twice a day its non habit forming and all that good stuff so nothing there to worry about if you want to try it as an option however I only use it for bedtime not during the day it didn't seem to help with panic attacks for me but I didn't want to go up on the dosage to try

I also suffered and it got to the point where I couldn't get of the spiral ( pain, anxiety, pain)
I went found a counselor to talk to and I was able to take out some emotional garbage that was buried so deep, I forgot I had it.
Soon the anxiety started to wane and I started to feel better about my life. Even when I'm in pain Im more positive about it.
Don't get me wrong, I still have pity parties but I limit those parties to 15 minutes instead of all day like I used .
Good luck to you.

I too suffer from anxiety , but my dr has me on buspar , I beleive it works for me , it took a little while to work but it has worked . From reading other posts I am coming to believe that many fibro .people have anxiety so I am not feeling so alone . The only thing I can think of as to why is that it is a nerve thing . good luck to you -hugs-