I've been offered anti depressants. I'm reluctant to take them for a few reasons.

Firstly, this started the day after my last dose of tramadol two weeks ago. if tramadol was indeed the catalyst, surely an SSRI would put me back in the same position and I'd just hit the same anxiety wall when I stop taking them.  Also, after stopping tramadol I was more sad than anxious, about 5 days in it changed to anxiety. That's about the time I got COVID.

Secondly, I have read that COVID can cause anxiety as a symptom. I currently have COVID, so I'm hoping that this will fade away as my cold like COVID symptoms do.

Thirdly, While they may make me feel better, do they actually do anything about 'fixing' the issue, ie will I just be on them for life? Or is it possible to take them for a few months or so then stop (gradually)? Does that fix anxiety? I have CBT booked, but an the last week or so I'm not having the anxiety provoking thoughts as much, if at all. What happens now is that I feel physically anxious immediately on waking up.

Fourthly, my anxiety seems to ease dramatically in the evening. I don't know why this is. But it feels amazing. To me that makes me feel that the old me is in there and I just need to get over this anxiety naturally some how. As I said above, I think have felt some improvement in that I now I think I'm just anxious for the sake of being anxious. I don't get the thoughts I used to get. But I feel anxious physically as soon as I wake up.

I'd be really grateful for any thoughts on this. It has been some of the hardest two weeks of my life.

Literally any input.

PS I've been given diazepam/valium for emergencies. But I haven't taken them yet. Bit apprehensive. Not sure how they would make me feel. Anyone know?