I really don't have a firm position on benzodiazepines. I've been taking them for most of the past 11 years (presently Valium and Xanax) for generalized anxiety, occasional social anxiety (crowds get to me) and panic disorder. Sometimes I am fine talking to people I don't yet know; other times I'm not. I don't abuse them or consider them a drug of recreation, which is helpful.
Glad that mirtazipine is working out for you, OP. I went through a bunch of antidepressants and I have taken it for sleep, never long enough for it to be of any benefit to me with regard to my anxiety level. I have Inderal around but the stuff drops my blood pressure to the point I become an absolute lump - forget about driving or even not tripping over my feet from a lying position!
I think Dave has made a great suggestion about seeing a psychologist. In conjunction with the appropriate psych meds, a competent therapist can really guide you through your experiences of anxiety. I have found that noticing my triggers and doing either guided visualization-type exercises or, if the physiological components are there, making sure I take a benzo. I lead a relatively normal life considering the severity of my panic attacks in the past. They are truly awful!
Benzos aren't the only answer. They work for me. The suggestion about selegiline is definitely worth looking into. I don't know if it's prescribed in the US for anxiety at present - last I checked, it is not. Therapy is a great suggestion. In the end, though, getting better is up to you, and techniques as simple as deep breathing, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep can make a world of difference.
