Hi WAID and welcome back.
I am sorry to hear that your Xanax did not work out for you. You are switching to a completely different class of drug, so it most likely will be that you get different and hopefully better results for you.
An SSRI typically takes several weeks to build up and level off in the system. You will most likely have an adustment period during this time...and it could include some side effects, but they are ususally temporary.
I am glad that you are at least take the leap of faith and visit a therapist on a trial basis. Is it that you do not know why you have this fear, or is it because you can't get into the details here?
Either way, it is brave of you to try! If you know why it is that you are afraid, I think that I would go ahead and explain these concerns to your therapist ahead of time in a phone consult...this way they can perhaps reassure you that this experience will be safe and positive.
Here is a link that many people have found helpful and contributed to. Reading may bring you some comfort.
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=2287406I wish you the best, and encourage you to keep posting with us. We understand and are here to support.
S.C.