Do you know how anxiety works for you? Take a moment to use the same sensations to help you adjust to the anxiety clues. Stay hydrated, use gentle movements to distract usual patterns, and keep a journal to help you sort through your feelings, emotions, and all of these things are tools in your toolkit to help you move forward. Best wishes!

I would say don't get on anything addictive like xanax. That's probably what your doctor is thinking about. My anti depressant is called lexapro and has absolutely changed my life. I would look into it. Not addictive.

Exercise seems to help me the most. The trouble is my anxiety at times keeps me from going to the gym or doing things by myself as part of my anxiety is triggered by a fear of passing out alone. If you have a person that you can partner up with, someone to keep you accountable, that you feel comfortable with to work out with I would suggest that. Yoga and jogging seem to relieve mine the best. I started out with watching you tube yoga for beginners videos and did that at the house.

When I first was diagnosed with GAD and panic I took Xanax 3 times a day for 3 months. The "addiction Part was not bad. I came off it in like 2 weeks. Then I went on anti depressants and it changed my life. Also there r other options besides Xanax. It doesn't work for me anymore sadly and i have used klonopin. It stays in the body longer and doesn't give u the weird sluggish feeling Xanax does

I have seen great success with CBT - and zen meditation. Learning to manage your thoughts and learning you can "ignore" your anxiety are the keys to creating recovery. It takes time and consistent effort - but recovery is possible. Be patient, but also be persistent. Wishing you peace.

You have got some good advice and some contradictory advice too. This is my experience here that I could not find elsewhere. Tough point for me was expecting meds to cure me. The help but you have to decide to change how you look at things too and work at being better. Good luck.

I was diagnosed with a case of moderate to severe anxiety a couple years back, after having several panic attacks and this constant feeling angst. My doctor too expressed some worries of me getting to addicted to anything, however there are low dosage options of medication and he also told me that there are medications that are specifically designed for when you have your panic attacks. I am on a very low dosage of Xanax that actually does the trick and not at all do I feel addicted but its so much easier to cope with my everyday life. My advice to you would to be explore all options cause they are out there, maybe even another doctor.
Nonetheless, breathing has changed my life. As dumb as it may sound, deep therapeutic breathing is so helpful. A previous therapist taught me this one called diaphragmatic breathing, which you can look up how to do anywhere and it's super easy but it makes all the difference. Unfortunately there are never any easy answers but the little things can make all the difference. Best of luck.

Many have given great suggestions, like looking to diet and exercise. I would also recommend seeking a counselor, someone who can help you get to the root of the anxiety. What do you feel anxious about?