Hydroxyzine is my drug of choice for anxiety and I can take it when I need it. Having to take drugs all my life, I didn't want another drug to dull my senses, but I needed a back up drug that was short acting to keep me functional. It works well for anxiety, very well in combination with 500 magnesium at bedtime to help me get to sleep, a higher dose can knock anxiety out-and put me in bed if I need to shut down for a few hours. I also have a seizure disorder and take a very new drug-only been approved less than 2 years in the US...Brevicat. I took it's cousin Keppra and had Kepprage, but this version....similar to Keppra, doesn't cause rage. Keppra doesn't cause irritability and Kepprage in everyone, but it does in me. Little did I know that Keppra is sometimes used for anxiety.. and can be helpful with people with PTSD. Brevicat has a very similar structure, and effect as Keppra. I think the Brevicat helps anxiety and depression....without the anger issues Keppra can sometimes have.....along with most other drugs for depression and anxiety. I was euphoric when I switched from Depakote (25 years on that crappy drug....but it did prevent seizures) to Brevicat! Colors were vivid, I could smell things, OMG....it was like someone turned on my senses!
I would go outside and stare at the fall colors in the trees, the light shining through the trees was amazingly sharp...I had double vision on the Depakote, and my hearing stabilized! I had about 15 side effects from long term usage all which went away when I switched drugs. I turned 60 that year...what a birthday present....better senses!
But the hydroxyzine.....the only thing I'll take. I don't want to get hooked on an anxiety med.....going through withdrawls has been a part of my life.....a very awful part. I prefer to deal with the anxiety.