Is vistaril (hydroxyzine) truly as effective in treating anxiety as a benzodiazepine?

Probably not: There's a reason benzodiazepines are so widely used: they work well, particularly for anxiety. Sedating antihistamines like vistiril (hydroxyzine) are non-addictive & thus preferable if they do the job. But the truth is, for most people benzodiazepines are more effective. There are other alternatives, by the way: ssris, buspar, (buspirone) beta-blockers, & sedating antidepressants (trazodone, doxepin).