What is the best benzo for general anxiety?

Everyone has different reactions to medications. It's really defined by the individual. I have been on every benzo. I know people who have had no relief on what I am on. In comparison myself; I was taking 2 mg xanax 4 times a day-still having panic attacks. That's at high dosage. I went from that to 1mg tid=3 times a day of klonopin. I have tried more "potent" benzo's... the only one that works for me is klonopin as I keep going back to. I go from very high doses of another to 1mg no matter increased or decreased how many times per day or as needed of klonopin. That has been my individual experience.
I really hope you find what helps you best sometimes it's not a benzo...
Good luck & Take care!

look buddy, i know a bunch of whiners wont like what in about to tell you, but the fact of the matter is that benzos are the only things that work for some people. theres not a person in this world that has the right to tell you you shouldnt take something that helps you.and most people are "right",typically benzos are shorter term symptom treating drugs, BUT there are indications in the psychiatric text that benzos CAN bew used for long periods of time on treatment resistant people.Try an ssri, remeron,celexa.Try neurontin.Try vistaril.Try everything but. Then take a klonipin or ativan and feel in control of your life again.eat without throwing up.sleep at night no problem. have regular heartbeats.relieve the stress.if it works for you,and they prescribe it, take it man. i been there. that being said, if you can,try to choose another besides xanax.

NBA, it's important to look for 'long term' benefits so you need only be on a 'benzo' for a short period of time. I know that paxil works well for GAD, but sometimes you need something like xanax in the beginning of treatment because these medicines can cause short term anxiety before they get in your system deep enough.

Xanax has always worked best for me. Because I had muscle 'spasms' in the past, I discovered soma works well too, and my physician told me it is good for anxiety as well. Let your doctor guide you in the right direction.

Hello NBA. To answer your question, any of the long acting/lasting benzodiazepines are used for GAD. Several come to mind, Diazepam/Valium, Chlordiazepeoxide/Librium, Clorazepate/Tranxene and Centrax. The fast acting Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Serax, Ativan are used for panic attacks, moments of high stress. The taking of a benzodiazepine will do little to lift a persons depression simply because they are not a antideptressant. The benzodiazepines are hypnotics, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants. Best of wishes to you, pledge

I agree with all the other responses that it is best for your doctor 2 determine once you give him your symptoms etc..As for me I been on several cause I have a panic attack disorder! I was on ativan, xanax, klonipin! For myself I like the klonopin the best it works up to 8 hours, where the others act faster but don't last long mean work in your symtom the 8 hrs that klonopin does, I take 1mg 3xdaily so it is working for me round the clock, and I don't get to were I want to sleep all day!!The other 2 ativan and xanax work very quickly if you are having a pa, but were off in a few hours and I find that u might be finding yourself wanting to take more because of this, my personal opinion!!With the klonopin you take it 3x or even 2x daily and your covered! They give it to me 3x's daily cause I have been hospitalized several x's due to my pd, so they figure if they give me 3 a day it works around the clock never a need to take extra!!I would sugguest u talk to your doctor though!!Hope this is helpful!!

Hello Ruben - Yes, that is best left for the doctor to determine. Every "body" is different. What works for me might not work for you... there is a lot that goes into determining what might work for you. Because we can't see you and we cannot prescribe meds... just throwing out a bunch of names won't mean anything and besides what we recommend, your doctor might not. You really don't want to put thoughts into your doctor's head like having him or her think you've tried some of those things... it is best to just let it be and then after you get prescribed something... THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT! Okay??? Enjoy your time at school...

Mary

That would be very hard to say as these work differently from person-to-person. Best one to determine this is your Dr. Hope this helps.

That will be best determined by your doc, she or he will find out about you symptoms and prescribe what's best for your needs, I take Ativan and it work great for me, it helps my anxiety, xanax made me sleep to much! Good luck and hope this helps