What's better for anxiety-induced insomnia (mind racing at night) - ssri's or benzodiazepines? or other? which class is addicting and least addicting?

Both: Evidence has shown that ssri + benzo's help anxiety and anxiety-induced insomnia. As ssri's often times increase anxiety when treatment is started or dose increased, benzo's are helpful particularly early in treatment. Benzo's are helpful for sleep and as needed for daytime anxiety. Other options to the benzo's for this purpose: seroquel, (quetiapine) vistaril, gabapentin.

Both can be used: Ssris are used for the long term management of anxiety and panic attacks and the benzodiazepines are used for immediate, short acting relief of insomnia, panic attacks and the general discomfort that anxiety creates. Ssris are not addictive. The benzodiazepines, xanax, (alprazolam) ativan, klonopin, valium and others, have potential for addiction. Used in combination with ssris and only as needed, are safe.