I am in the same boat as you, bipolar type 2 with anxiety. The anxiety was more debilitating than the depression. I've tried all the anti-depressants and mood stabilizers. Every mood stabilizer gave me an all over body rash and flu-like symptoms. They even put me on Lithium, lol. The anti-depressants just made me manic. They prescribed me Trazadone for sleep but it stopped working after a month.

My psychiatrist wouldn't prescribe me any benzodiazepines for my panic attacks because if you are diagnosed bipolar they are hesitant to give you anything that can be abused. But, your psychiatrist might. It depends on the doc. I would try this way first but if that doesn't work you could also do what I did.

I got some Etizolam and before I started taking it wrote down a schedule for responsible use and a plan for tapering if I need it. I went this route because I can't afford to keep going to different doctors to try to get a legit script. It may be an option for you. I'm looking into Diclazepam for daily management of anxiety and just using the Etizolam on an as needed basis.

It has really helped so far: I've been able to go back to work, sleep, keep my racing thoughts and anxiety in check.