Semper Fi,
Was combat rescue, AF, a PJ and 4 years of surgical tech experience. Trazodone is classed as a quadricyclic anti-depressant and works to get you to settle down if used during the day, and as a sleep aid at night. You did not say the dosage but it usually starts out at 100 mg and works up -- slowly. I think it's a great drug and I wish I could take it. Unfortunately it aggravates tinnitus or ringing of the ears.For me anyway. If you drink alcohol, it will make you sick, guaranteed.
Citalopram is Celexa. It's an expensive SSRI used for a lot of other things because of its side effects. Mainly it is an anti-depressant but does help with anxiety, panic disorder, OCD and a host of other conditions associated with PTSD.
It sounds like the doc is on the right track. Not too heavy. He might be on the light side considering some of the episodes you describe. I have had them too. I wanted to install a sniper's perch on my 2nd floor window for the idiots that have their car radio blaring outside but I relegated that to a dream. There are several similar dreams.
Insomnia is something all the drugs will not cure without knocking you out completely. I am now taking Ambien and it does work (yay) but like all benzodiazipines (we call them benzos) you get a tolerance. And they are expensive. The insurance company will only pay half of what it costs. Like Sarg, I don't do the VA. I gave up on them years ago. I figure if I can't take care of myself through the private side, then kick my ass in a ditch.
If the doc decides to go to the benzos (anything ending with -zepam and some others) take them exactly as ordered or what we call PRN, use as needed. That does not mean take 2 when 1 is prescribed. I rate benzos at the top 5 of the list of drugs to watch for us.
Mainly, don't be too afraid of drugs. In our case, they are better than trying to go it alone.
And about driving: I don't know the answer but to try and walk away from it. I had an altercation with an idiot who was picking on this poor elderly couple because the old guy didn't get out of his way when he wanted to turn. I waited with my door open for him to start swinging at him but as usual, civilians are all mouth. For some reason he did not have the balls enough to come to my car and start his tirade.
As to religion, as long it gives you peace, read all you want. I am not an angel by any means nor am I religious at all, but I often read the Bible, especially Ecclesiastes. (Vanity, vanity, all is vanity....) I know several vets who would not be here were it not for religion.
Drop a knee and listen up. The guys here are good at what they do.
