None stop anxiety, Please help!!

[TJRis]

Hey,
I recently was at work and started having an anxiety attack.  My trigger is some-what odd in that I can't find anyone else who has the same problem.  I get this feeling of my right hand just doesn't feel like it is there or something.  Like it isn't numb, but it's like my mind doesn't register its movements or something.  This also happens with my tongue!  And when it occurs, my hand/tongue get extremely cold, even if it isn't cold in my environment.  It really freaks me out.  But basically this happened at work about 2 weeks ago and ever since then, my mind has been racing non stop about my anxiety.  Just before this happened, I weened myself off of Zoloft but immediately had to go back on it due to this incident.  I work out 2 times a day just to feel less anxious, but it doesn't last very long.  And even if i don't feel anxious, I still have the anxious thoughts.  I am starting to feel like I am going to forget what it is like to think normal again.  There are times where I string together a few hours of feeling no anxiety, but it always returns.  It has been almost three weeks now and every morning, it is the first thought that pops into my mind and I have a mild attack every morning.  I am, however, able to sleep which is one positive of this all.  If I wasn't able to sleep i feel like i would go insane.  I am hesitant to take any benzo's due to the strong dependence that could form, but I am prescribed them.  Also, I saw a therapist last week, but he seems like he is a real nut-job and I don't know if he will help me or not.  Maybe I should seek a new therapist?  I was wondering if anyone could share their secrets with me when it comes to coping with anxiety because I really DESPERATELY want to return to normal.  My anxiety is with me all day every day and it is starting to rattle my brain.  I have a decreased appetite and less interest to do anything anymore.  Everything that I used to enjoy doing just makes me anxious now.  And worst of all, I am TERRIFIED of my free time.  Free time just means more time to think about my anxiety.  I really hope this message finds finds someone out there that can help me.

Thank you,
TJ

[birdie0907]

I would discuss with doc or your pharmacist about this fear of benzo dependence. What benzo were you prescribed? A lot has to do with your personality and whether you are able to maintain self control to take only when needed. Lots of people take without addiction. btw, just getting those symptoms you mentioned only during a panic attack likely means they are emotional driven rather than a physical issue, so I didn't mean to worry you earlier, but you can discuss all this with doc.
You mentioned you are attacked so much that you don't remember what it was like to be relaxed, which is the point where you have to ask if a benzo break once in a while will get you back to normal or is it past controlling so you need something long term. Not easy to measure this kind of thing and make a decision with doc about your own feeling but good luck.
What are you doing to deal with anx other than working out and seeing a therapist? It is true that not everyone can be helped, so perhaps you misread the therapist's "disclaimer" that he can't guarantee success. Lots are cured so don't worry about disclaimers until you get more therapy. Here is a list of resources on nursegirl's site. http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Mental-Health/Anxiety-and-Panic-Resources--Books--Websites--Self-Help-Programs/show/1285?cid=60