I am bipolar. I don't really get anxiety as much as I just can't slow down my thoughts. It's like my brain is the New York Stock Exchange with all of the brokers shouting back and forth all at once, except all of these metaphorical voices are my thoughts. The worst part is I'm able to keep up with all of the thoughts at once. After a while, you just want to pull your hair out...Anything to make it stop. Fortunately, I have come up with a way to control almost all of my symptoms. Depression I can handle, but a manic swing can be a little more tricky. The only symptom I can't control without medication is the lack of sleep for two or three days during the upswing as I call it. However, I have found that Ambien CR, if only used for the two or three nights in a row, allows me to sleep at least lightly for about 6 hours or so. Better than nothing trust me. I would shy away from using any Benzodiazepines as they are the most addictive drug in the world. Due to the half life of benzos the medication stores up in your body increasing in quantity (in your blood stream). Even if taken exactly as prescribed by a doctor your body WILL become physically dependent. Once you have become dependent it is crucial that you either ween yourself off gradually or be detoxed under direct medical supervision. There are only two drugs whose withdrawl can kill you. Alcohol & Benzodiazepines. Hope this helps.