I was diagnosed with panic disorder (along with generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder and major depression), because of my history with opiate abuse I opted to not take any other type of medication other than an SSRI. For me, taking benzos wouldn't resolve the fear response, only mask it and make it worse.
CBT worked, I don't have panic or generalised anxiety disorder anymore. I know what panic is, I can recognise it and I know I wont die from it.
Edited to add: I know you were joking, sort of, but paranoid schizophrenia is not caused by living with chronic panic disorder. If I had paranoid schizophrenia and read this board, don't think I'd appreciate you associating my illness with going 'all ape shite' on my family.