Lexapro - will it help or make my anxiety/panic disorder worse?

I am 62. Post menopausal as well. Try to get through this. Things will improve. Try to set boundaries if you have insight into what triggers your anxiety. Deep breathing yoga meditation helps too. This is something I am doing now. News blackout. Not denial but things are so toxic and pathological I have to say no more.

Who told you that Lexapro causes anxiety?
Lexapro is one of the few medications that helps both depression AND anxiety. That is why I take it.

I'm surprised that Klonopin didn't help with your anxiety. It did wonders for me by helping me get a good night's sleep. But, now I've switched to trazodone because it is less additive.

If you've tried all those other medications and they haven't helped you, you may want to see a new psych-doc. I'm sure there is a med, or combination of meds, that will get you some relief. You just have to find it and stick with it. But, before making any changes, I really think you need to stick with Lexapro for at least two months to give it a chance.

Hi, pretty!
Unfortunately, most if not all, antidepressant/anxiolytics may cause a few users some increased anxiety when initially starting the medication:
"Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal dreams, agitation, anxiety, nervousness, restlessness"
But as you can see this means that 90-99% of people won't have this side effect despite what you may have read.
The good news is that should you experience this it generally only lasts a week or two. Very few people need to stop the medication and Lexapro's reviews are very positive for effectiveness.
I took escitalopram for over 7 years and it was a life changer and I don't recall any problem with increased anxiety. Even if it had caused it it would have been worth it to stick it out for the results I ultimately got from the medication.
Best regards and I hope it works as well for you.