First day on Escitalopram (help)

So basically this is my first day taking Escitalopram (5mg) and i’m kinda freaking out about side effects because i am already in a bad place and don’t want it to get much worse.

I’ve heard that with some people anxiety actually gets worse during the first days and weeks but how worse does it get? Is it manageable? Is it okay for me to take a benzo in SOS if i feel like i am spiraling?

I would also love to hear some of your successful stories to give me strength that i very much need to go through this. I have a lot of skepticism regarding meds in general so all this is being a bit tough for me to process.

Thank you all.