Can Xanax Make Anxiety Worse?

Xanax—alprazolam if you’re reading the fine print—can feel like a lifesaver when panic spikes. Yet many people eventually wonder, can Xanax make anxiety worse? The pill that once brought instant calm can, with steady use, create rebound anxiety, dependence, and an unsettling emotional “fog.” 

If you’ve noticed yourself feeling edgier, numb, or downright overwhelmed between doses, you’re in good company. Many people experience these unintended side effects and aren’t sure where to turn next. 

At Citron Hennessey Therapy, we sit with clients to determine how medication fits (or doesn’t fit) into the broader picture of their mental health. Whether you’re reassessing your current regimen or curious about therapy-first care, we’ll help you dig into the why of your anxiety and build tools that last.

How Xanax Works—And Why It Can Backfire

Quick Fix, Long-Term Headache

Xanax floods your brain with GABA—the body’s natural “calm down” switch—so a racing heart slows and runaway thoughts ease almost instantly. Great for a sudden panic spike. The problem? Your brain gets used to that extra help. 

Soon, you need higher doses for the same relief, edging into dependence. When the pill wears off, anxiety can slam back even harder, trapping you in a draining loop of brief calm followed by bigger storms.

Rebound Anxiety and Withdrawal

The trouble often starts after the pill wears off. Once Xanax leaves your system, the anxiety it kept at bay can roar back—sometimes even louder than before. That “rebound” rush can make you reach for another dose sooner, then another, until you’re caught in a loop that’s tough to escape on your own. Professional help breaks the cycle and protects both your mental balance and physical health.

Can Xanax Make Anxiety Worse Over Time?

Unfortunately, yes, Xanax can make anxiety worse if you’re taking it day in and day out without added support. The pill offers rapid relief, but steady use can throw off your brain’s natural stress-regulation system. As weeks turn into months, you might notice:

• Growing sensitivity to stress. Little things start feeling huge.
• Physical dependence. Functioning without your next dose feels impossible.
• Emotional blunting. Instead of calm, you feel flat or “numb.”
• Worsening mood. Underlying depression can creep in.
• Withdrawal spikes. Irritability or full-blown panic when the medication wears off.

Relying on Xanax alone can make these side effects feel overwhelming. That’s why we at Citron Hennessey Therapy focus on the bigger picture by helping you understand what’s fueling your anxiety and building skills that last long after the medication bottle is empty.

What to Do if You Feel Worse on Xanax

Talk with Your Prescriber First

If you think Xanax is cranking up your anxiety instead of calming it, start by calling the doctor who wrote the prescription. Benzodiazepines act directly on your nervous system, so quitting cold turkey can backfire. 

Think rebound anxiety, sleepless nights, even seizures in severe cases. A medical professional can map out a gradual taper (if that’s the right move) and walk you through safer alternatives. In short: don’t go it alone; loop in your prescriber before making any changes.

Try a Therapy-First Approach

Medication can mute symptoms, but therapy teaches you to steer the ship yourself. At Citron Hennessey Therapy, we pair you with a clinician who tailors evidence-based methods to your goals, not some generic checklist. That might look like:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to spot and reframe anxious thought loops
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotion-regulation skills you can use on the spot
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you move forward even when worry shows up
• Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) to tap into core emotions and build resilience
• Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) to challenge “what-if” catastrophizing
• EMDR when past trauma keeps today’s anxiety on high alert

Together, these modalities give you lasting tools soothing your nervous system, untangling anxious thinking, and resolving deeper triggers without the side effects that can tag along with long-term benzodiazepine use.

How We Tackle Anxiety at Citron Hennessey

Anxiety shows up differently for everyone, so a cookie-cutter fix just won’t cut it. At Citron Hennessey Therapy, we start by listening—really listening—to what’s happening in your life. 

Maybe you’re questioning whether medication is helping, maybe you want to ditch it entirely, or maybe you’re brand-new to therapy. Wherever you land, our job is to help you build steady, practical relief that sticks.

Here’s what working with us looks like:

• Therapy on your terms. Meet virtually from the comfort of your own couch or join us in person—whatever suits your schedule.
• A therapist who “gets” you. We match you with someone whose style and expertise align with your goals.
• Both nuts-and-bolts skills and deeper work. Quick coping tools for today, along with the insight work that pays off in the long term.

If you’re ready to lean less on medication or simply want therapy that meets you where you are, we’ll walk the path with you, honestly and at your pace.

FAQs About Xanax and Anxiety

Can Xanax increase anxiety in some people?

Yes. Although Xanax is designed to reduce anxiety in the short term, it can sometimes make anxiety worse, especially with long-term use. This can happen due to tolerance (needing more to feel the same effect), physical dependence, or rebound anxiety that occurs when the drug wears off. For some, what starts as relief becomes a cycle of increased symptoms and emotional instability.

What are the signs Xanax is making your anxiety worse?

If you’re feeling jumpy or on edge before your next dose, noticing mood swings, or drifting through the day feeling oddly detached, your body might be waving a red flag. Restlessness, irritability, and sleepless nights can also point to withdrawal. In short, if the gaps between pills feel harder than the anxiety you started with, the medication may have stopped doing its job.

Should I stop taking Xanax if I feel worse?

Not solo. Quitting cold turkey can spark rebound anxiety, shaky hands, or worst-case seizures. Consult with your prescribing doctor first; they can help you plan a gradual taper and arrange for a therapist to provide additional support. A step-down plan paired with therapy is usually the safest way to start feeling better.

Does Citron Hennessey prescribe medication?

No. Citron Hennessey Therapy is a psychotherapy-only practice. While we don’t prescribe medications, we regularly coordinate care with outside psychiatrists for clients who want to explore or adjust their prescriptions. This collaborative model ensures that your therapeutic and medical care align with your long-term goals. 

What’s a solid alternative to Xanax for anxiety?

Many people discover that they feel better and more in control when they swap pills for skills. At Citron Hennessey Therapy, we lean on evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to untangle anxious thought loops, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you live alongside discomfort without getting stuck, and EMDR when trauma keeps anxiety on high alert. These approaches tackle the root of your symptoms while equipping you with real-world, side-effect-free coping tools.

Can therapy help me taper off Xanax?

Absolutely. If you and your prescriber decide it’s time to cut back, therapy becomes your safety net. Our clinicians coach you through withdrawal-related jitters, teach self-regulation skills, and dig into the underlying stressors that first drove you to medication. With medical guidance on the taper and therapeutic support for the mind-body stuff, you won’t have to figure it out alone.

Ready to Feel More Like Yourself?

If you’re rethinking Xanax or just want a therapy-first plan for anxiety, we’ve got you. Citron Hennessey Therapy offers compassionate, results-driven care, both online and in-person. Book a free 15-minute consult and start building relief that lasts.