“When should one begin taking anti-anxiety medication?”

Firstly, "anxiety" is not a literal diagnosis, it is a condition of one's mood but may not be a disorder. With a specific type of anxiety determined by a psychiatrist or other qualified mental health provider, a best fit pharmaceutical AND counseling/behavioral modification can be utilized to manage symptoms and modify one's lifestyle. If a mental health professional has determined a diagnosis then they should have also made recommendations for treatment including medication options, frequency of their use, and risks/other unintended effects of medication use are discussed with you as part of informed consent. Typically, a medication is prescribed to help the person with a specific anxiety disorder because the person's level symptoms are debilitating and significantly interfere with activities of daily living ( hygiene, self-care, sleep, appetite, sociability, and ability to work or maintain employment) and/or their quality of life.

Sorry to hear that you are suffering from anxieties. The question regarding medicine needs to be asked to the prescribing doctor.  As I am a psychologist and we do not have the privilege to prescribe medicine in FL I am unable to advise you regarding medicine. I can suggest you read "Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" and hope that helps with your anxieties. Take care and remain safe.

See this link..
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/anti-anxiety-medication_l_5ce2b712e4b00e035b94c6b9#:~:text=While%20there%20is%20no%20definitive,be%20time%20to%20try%20it.
or
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/anxiety-medication.htm