Hi Gina,
Welcome to HCM Forum,
Facing to such situation and then rebuilding yourself is kind of learning process.Taking benzodizepine during this will hamper your learning process.So in such kind of illness its best advisable to avoid benzodiazepine(
xanax is one of them ),though it gives you instant relief.
PTSD is characterized by flashbacks of that incident,along with anxious,restless,
numbness feeling,disturbed sleep and night terror,mood swings,lot of anger about self and others.
Several sedative antidepressants (so benzodiazepine can be avoided ) available which helps you get relief from this.There are chances that due to associated
depression whatever happened-happening-will happen you might have negative thoughts.
If medicine given for its treatment -it takes 3-4 weeks time to starts its complete action.So consult to good nearest
psychiatrist - continue regular and prolonged follow up with him - he will definitely help to come out of this.
Hope it helps.
Best regards.