*TW* I need some advice, please (Lexapro) *TW*

Let me start off by saying that I do not recommend you or anyone else doing what I did. I made a mistake and feel like I'm paying for it


TRIGGER WARNING
Long story short, I quit taking lexapro 5mg cold Turkey back I in either late November or early December of last year. I don't have any other withdrawal symptoms other than anxiety, and I had that before I went on the medication, and the medication helped with it a little. I was prescribed it back in either 2013 or 2014, maybe 2012, so I had been taking it for years. I read somewhere that 5mg wasn't even a starting dose for most doctors. My mom was put on it not too long ago and started at 10mg.

I don't have any tremors, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, or anything. The only withdrawal symptom I have is anxiety, but it's horrible. I worry about everything, but this is how I was before I started the medication. It was a long time ago, but I don't remember if it was this bad, but I remember it being bad (obviously, or I wouldn't have been put on Lexapro)

I'm not asking for a diagnosis or anti depressant withdrawal syndrome or whatever it's called, I'm just asking for advice or for someone to maybe share their experiences

I've also had a similar hard time coming off off benzos and may have to stay on them for a while. They are very helpful in inpatient but I'm so much more productive and clear headed off of them when stable. I'm a terrible insomniac without them. I just lay in bed thinking about the past. Fortunately I don't drink as much when I take them which my doctor says is a good thing and that they are better to relax than alcohol. On the other hand it's nice to have a few social drinks rather than pop a pill. The most fun I've had is drinking with friends. I am rambling here but I've found Klonopin to be very helpful when coming off of a medication to calm your nerves and ease your mind. Whether it is okay to take long term is yet to be determined.