Xanax and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Wor...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 28, 2020

For Anxiety "I have severe anxiety panic disorder that started when I was a child. I have been taking Xanax for over 30 years now. Every day I take 4 pills, but on really bad days I take 6 pills. My doctor has retired, and now I have a new doctor who is cutting me off. Instead of taking 4 pills every day, they only gave me enough for half a pill per day. I'm never able to sleep due to extreme insomnia, anxiety, and panic attacks that plague me every day. I was shocked at how much they cut me off and so quickly. Right now, I am in critical condition. They say I exceeded my monthly limit. When I was given Xanax, I was able to function, sleep normally, eat, and live a normal life. I have been taking Xanax for over 30 years. It is truly inhumane. My body relies on taking medicine every day, and suddenly being cut off will be really hard on my body. Some people really do need Xanax."

• Nev...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 24, 2019

For Anxiety "I rated Xanax a 5 because yes at first it was a godsend! I got an appetite, became interested in daily activities again, gave me motivation, and I once again had goals set for myself. However, this drug is for short-term use and that's it! I was on it for several years, and when I became physically dependent on it, what was prescribed to me was never enough! I not only was physically dependent but also addicted! It began to cause increased anxiety, irrational behavior, destructive actions, and really bad mood swings! I weaned myself off as soon as I realized it was causing the problems in my life! If you get on this medication, don't stay on it for too long! Getting off of this medication was the hardest thing I have ever done in my whole life. I am still struggling with it 2 years later!"

• Ash...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 4, 2014

For Anxiety "I get intense panic attacks. Xanax is very effective at working quickly to stop a panic attack. It saved my life, until after a few months I tried to stop taking it and got horrible withdrawals. I felt like I was dying, my anxiety was worse than it had ever been in my life, high blood pressure (and mine is naturally low), tachycardia, hallucinations, tremors. I hope anyone considering taking Xanax takes it at a low dose and not daily. If daily, do not quit cold turkey."

• Man...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 11, 2017

For Panic Disorder "Panic disorder is no fun. You feel like you have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide, and that you are coming to an end! Xanax has helped me against this terrible nervousness, demonic feeling. I only take it when I truly need it. I take the lowest dose possible, 0.25. The thing about this drug is that it makes you feel so relaxed. So people keep taking it to keep feeling good, and that's when it backfires. Please only take it as needed. Don't take it if you're not feeling panic at the moment. You have to respect this drug. Taking it when you don't feel panic is not the way to go. Trust me! Prayer and a little help from Xanax can make all the difference in the world!!"

• Qan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 2, 2018

For Anxiety "I had severe postpartum anxiety to the point of no sleep for 3 months, which made me lose touch with all reality. I couldn’t take benzos as I was determined to breastfeed. Once I got through another bout of insomnia when I stopped breastfeeding, I was suicidal from lack of sleep and panic/anxiety. I was put on Xanax, .125 to .25 per day before bed. 4 years later, I still have anxiety around sleep, so I take half the lowest dose 45 mins before bed. I struggle with sleep at times, but I have not increased my dose over the 4 years and don’t freak out or withdraw if I miss a dose. My doctor hired a new nurse who seems bent on getting me off it, makes me plead my case to get refills. I don’t understand this thinking-a low dose of Xanax forever is better than a strung-out suicidal insomniac. I have tried all SSRIs, hypnosis, counseling, meditation, CBTI for insomnia, and hormone therapy. Nothing works as well as half a Xanax 45 mins before bed. It’s just reality for me."

• aar...
• March 10, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I had horrible anxiety from 14 to 21, then I got prescribed Xanax 0.25, and my life changed. I was going out with friends, didn't care about little things like what people think of me-it was great! Then at 23, I decided I was good, I didn't need it anymore and had 4 months of hell getting off. I'm now 29, and I've dealt with the anxiety every day, and it got easier, but it was still a small burden. Something was missing. I just got back on it a few weeks ago, and now I've worked harder than ever. I was promoted to assistant manager within 2 weeks of starting back on Xanax. Everyone told me how they noticed my confidence in everything, and I take control of stressful situations. As I work in the food business, suddenly I'm the go-to guy at work. I work 50 hours a week."

• Cof...
• August 8, 2019

For Anxiety "I started Xanax in my 30s after my father was diagnosed with cancer and other life events started to pile up. It helped at the beginning. I could notice the difference in my anxiety and sleep patterns. However, a year or two went by, and I found myself completely hooked. I had lost contact with friends and isolated from family, I left my job and spent most of the day at home. I truly had a 180-degree change in my social life, hobbies, and relationships. I spent all day at home watching TV and listening to music. I had no desire to deal with people or any type of social interaction. I found myself avoiding everything, like going grocery shopping, driving, dealing with problems. Every time I tried getting off the Xanax, it would backfire. It took months for me to stop taking Xanax, and it has been 3 years without it. I lost many friends and family members, and my relationship ended. I have slowly built myself up. I have a great job that keeps me busy, started running again, and I am starting to make new friends."

• goo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2015

For Panic Disorder "When I'm at my worst, or I literally have so many racing thoughts, or I get too agitated, I take half or 1 mg, smoke tobacco, and I'm fine. It's amazing, I have not found this drug addictive. I only need it when I'm thinking or having an anxiety attack. I'm going to a psychiatrist and am hopefully going to be prescribed it. It has blessed me and made me think clear thoughts without overthinking. Best suited if you're diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, or panic attacks."

• Gre...
• June 22, 2016

For Anxiety "For several years, I have been prescribed 1 mg to take up to 3 times per day - sometimes I take less, some days even none! But I find that Xanax does for me what Adderall does for children suffering ADD. For some reason, the drug helps me have precision focus, a clear mind, better communication, rapid-fire thought processing, and motivation - just for starters. I don't expect to take it for the rest of my life, but I go through prolonged periods of anxiety and antisocial behavior (will urinate in bottles in my room when at my worst). Glad to know there are a few people who experience the same effects using Xanax as maintenance. It's been a lifesaver for me! Curious to understand why it has this off-label effect on us select few."

• Jam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 8, 2016

For Anxiety "Was prescribed Xanax (alprazolam) for GAD. First few months were a godsend. After I became dependent on them, the doctor - apparently not understanding the slightest thing about dependence - upped the dosage several times. I noticed that my anxiety seemed to be getting worse, and I was afraid to leave the house - a problem I had never had before. Took me a while to realize the elephant in the room - it was the 'anti-anxiety' drugs! After withdrawing from the drugs - which fortunately was easy compared to the nightmare I have seen some people describe, I noticed I felt less anxious and, in general, more 'alive'. If you feel like your anxiety isn't improving after long-term benzo use - the root of your problem may be the drugs themselves!"

• Kat...
• July 11, 2014

For Anxiety "I thought this medicine might help with the onset of an atrial fibrillation attack, and it does! Not a guarantee, but very often helps, especially at night when I feel something coming on. It allows me to fall into a deeper sleep, which at times kicks the onset. Also, very useful for anxiousness, as documented. I do not take it daily, only when needed."

• Rea...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 10, 2019

For Anxiety "I have tried all possible drugs to relieve anxiety. I practice meditation and a few walks per week. Xanax combined with trazodone is the only medication that makes me normal. Without it, I am clumsy, fearful, afraid of life, paranoid sometimes, and hypochondriac. I don't have a tolerance problem, never asked to raise the dose in the last 3 years. It saved my life."

• ont...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2015

For Panic Disorder "I was diagnosed with 'Bilateral Sensorineural Conductive Hearing Loss,' severe nerve damage from the ear to the brain. It caused me severe panic disorder with agoraphobia and major depressive disorder. My brain is sending me mixed signals. We are still working on finding out why, or if, this nerve causes these disorders, they started at the same time I started getting these blaring foghorn sounds in my ears 24/7. I took my 0.5 mg Xanax about 10 days ago and OMG... for the first time in 3 years, I slept, had no attacks, which I had up to 6 times a day, no depression, little to no mixed brain signals, no suicidal thoughts, I'm starting to get functional, no crazy thoughts, I even went out of the house and socialized again! :) I still need to be diagnosed, though."

• bry...
• February 25, 2013

For Anxiety "Xanax has been a lifesaver! Just recently had a heart attack and had my 4th stent put in. Was still having chest pains, which obviously scare me when I have them. The tricky part is separating the chest pains from anxiety, which I have been diagnosed with. What a vicious cycle!"

• Ste...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 25, 2016

For Anxiety "After being tried on Klonopin and Ativan, my doctor put me on 90 1mg Xanax. I noticed that if I put it under my tongue, it helps faster. I noticed it didn't only help anxiety. Myoclonus decreases while on anxiety, and my seizures have decreased a little. I normally don't get an aura before a seizure. If I do, I quickly chew it up and melt it under my tongue. Within minutes, I calm down, and the aura will slow down most of the time. I do believe that this has aborted a seizure too. I can't stand to get out in public, my heart races, I feel this sense of panic, and then think, 'What if I have another seizure in public?'. I feel much calmer on this medication. It starts working within a few minutes, unlike Klonopin or Ativan."

• pnu...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 21, 2015

For Panic Disorder "Suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder for over 17 years. This was the best thing to keep me from having anxiety, triggering a panic attack. Other meds made it worse. Especially if you take an antidepressant like Lexapro. Lexapro alone will not work. Together with Xanax and Lexapro is the best combination for PTSD!"

• Pon...
• June 1, 2017

For Panic Disorder "One day, out of the blue, I felt lightheaded; I was nauseous, my legs were tingling, and a horrible fear overtook me. I had every physical test taken. All were negative. Finally, totally desperate and afraid I'd have another attack, I went to 2 psychiatrists. Both diagnosed Panic Disorder. (Found out it runs in my family.) Was put on amitriptyline, Prozac, Buspar, Paxil. I stuck each one out for 6 weeks. The nausea was horrible, and the anxiety debilitating. Finally, I met a psychiatrist who put me on Xanax (0.5 mg 4 to 5 times a day) and 25 mg of Zoloft. My life improved immediately. He said he hoped the Zoloft would end the panic attacks, but it took a combination of both meds. I take 0.5 Xanax 3 times a day. I'm alive again!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 8, 2021

For Anxiety "This drug absolutely made my anxiety worse. And when I decided to stop taking it, I was not aware of the horrible effects that cold turkey would have on my body because doctors never let me know how severe it can be. I felt disabled until I began to take them again. During that time, I couldn't walk, I couldn't read, I couldn't go to work or function. The only thing that alleviated me was getting back on the drug. I have since weaned off, and I'm thankful to no longer be dependent. Some people may believe they need Xanax because their anxiety is debilitating, without realizing that Xanax is the reason for worsening symptoms. My agoraphobia and paranoia were never as bad as it was after taking Xanax. I feel that I'm still recovering from a brain injury. It really is that bad, people seize up due to the effects this drug has on their brains. Not meaning to scare anybody, this is simply reality. People have lost their lives to Xanax."

• Fox...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 2, 2018

For Panic Disorder "Figured I'd come back with an update since my last post was in 2013. I am still on my Xanax after about 7 years, maybe more. It's still the ONLY drug that helps with my panic disorder w/agoraphobia, PTSD, GAD, OCD, and MDD. I've been prescribed 1 mg 3 x's a day, but have never taken that much. I take 1 mg in the morning and 0.5 mg around dinner and another 0.5 mg before bed. I'm just noticing now that I may need to start taking a little more occasionally. Like an extra 0.5 some days. I'm contributing this to the fact that I am in perimenopause now, and my hormones are crazy at times and increase my anxiety and panic attacks. Also finding it more difficult to leave the house again. But still... I'm not up to the recommended dosage, so I think I might just need to take a full mg 3 x's a day now."

• Anonymous
• March 12, 2009

For Panic Disorder "VERY GOOD for panic attacks and relief of anxiety. No known problems while on Xanax. However, cutting down the dosage or frequency of use can cause increased anxiety, and so it can cause dependency. I have no problems with Xanax, just problems when I don't have it."

• Sur...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 11, 2023

"I began to take Xanax years ago when I developed severe tinnitus. This was maybe 45 years ago. I was taking 1 mg a day and eventually, I cut to .05 a day, usually at nighttime. I have since dropped to only .025 at night for the last 12 years, and I do okay. You would think that at such a very low dose, I could just cut it off completely. I have tried a number of times, and I simply cannot do it. My brain does not work right, cannot make decisions, and have pretty bad anxiety that I can feel in my spine and brain. So at that point, I take the .025, and in half an hour or less, I am a completely functional person with a good brain that does not affect decision-making. I have no desire to give it up since I am 77 years old and have conditions that act up immediately upon withdrawal. I have never had any reverse reaction, tiredness, or brain fog. My brain is much clearer on it."

• Kha...
• June 13, 2016

For Anxiety "I have been suffering from panic attacks since 2013 and was kept on Xanax .5 mg TDS. Really, it's the drug which can enhance the quality of life. Even though we have the Xanax regularly, sometimes panic and anxiety come. I thought to cure anxiety off when I met with the psychiatrist, he prescribed Zoloft 50 mg once a day along with clonazepam .25 mg at bedtime. Having started that, panic came with great intensity, I left both Zoloft and Revotril and rejoined Xanax, the problem solver. Thanks, Almighty, who has put lots of benefits in Xanax."

• Sho...
• June 12, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I have been on Xanax for 15 years. The past 9 years I've been on them solid (haven't missed a day). I just turned 40 years old, and I'm in the worst position in my life than I've ever been! Long story short, I have severe anxiety and panic attack disorder. My first panic attack was at 19. Let's just say I've tried my fair share of narcotics. I'm 10 years clean off of heroin. But the Xanax is a monster of its own. I've had 2 grand mal seizures trying to get off them. They can kill you! I just take 3 mg a day so I don't get sick and anxious. My stepson passed away at 19 from taking too many Xanax. It's not a sleeping pill, it's not for people that are stressed out. They don't discriminate, my 87-year-old grandma was addicted to them too. All I'm saying is do your research first."

• Mat...
• April 21, 2015

For Anxiety "This is a qualified positive review for Xanax. I was suffering from mild depression and anxiety last winter, and my doctor put me on Wellbutrin. That stuff takes 4-8 weeks to work, and in the interim, it can really up your anxiety level. A week later, I started 1 mg Xanax 1-2X/day, and it took care of the anxiety immediately. I continued using Xanax for more restful sleep, but after about 3 months, I realized that short and long-term memory was WAY down. I stopped Xanax and replaced it with GABA, and this seems to be a far better solution. The Wellbutrin worked great, I felt more energy the first week, but it did take 6-8 weeks to fully kick in. I will now ONLY take the Xanax for rare, severe stress. Also check the connection to Alzheimer's."

• Mer...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2021

For Anxiety "I had the most horrible experience with this drug. I was prescribed it by my doctor for anxiety at .25 once nightly. By the 2nd week, I was 100% convinced I had a heart problem and was going to die. Heart arrhythmias every minute, all day and night. Went to the ER twice, and both times was cleared from any heart problems and was told it was panic attacks. I've never had an issue like this in all my life. My anxiety has never led to panic attacks or pounding arrhythmias. When the ER told me it was anxiety, I stopped the Xanax, and a week later, my 'heart problem' was magically gone. I just want to put this out there for anyone else that might experience this problem. Even at such a small dose, this drug made my anxiety 10x worse once the half-life wore off."