HC, thanks for the share. Your brain and emotions are waking up and rewiring. Good you are seeing a doc about the mood swings. Perhaps take the pooch for a long walk every day. Or maybe it is the other way around. The dog gets exercise and be with you. You get out of your head space and the exercise will release good chemicals in your brain that will help you calm the thoughts.
Be honest about the benzo's with your doc. Perhaps see about daily support- important. AA/SMART-lots out there.
Perhaps join the 'class of Feb 2017' thread?
Keep posting.