In regard to flight anxiety for overseas trips, please go over your recommendation on which anxioytic to use, ativan (lorazepam) or valium and the proper dosage.additionally, what is a good hypnotic for sleeping good at night?

Just to mellow out: Either med should work fine, but just take a small dose enough to mellow-out and not knocked-out. Prolonged immobility at high altitude increases risk of blood clot, so move around often when u can. Flying across time zones will likely cause some jet lag sx, so start sleeping earlier and earlier before flying east and later if flying west. This reduces time-differences. Melatonin may help.

SHORTER ACTING: I would recommend the shorter acting xanax or Ativan as these are more manageable to avoid over-sedation and lasting too long into the trip. As far as sleep aids to help with the whole time change thing, consider melatonin over the counter or even sonata (zaleplon).

Ativan (lorazepam): I agree with my colleagues about the advantages of shorter-acting meds (like ativan) over longer-acting ones (like valium). You don't want to be "schnockered" on your flight -- you also need to be drinking water to avoid dehydration, and moving in the cabin every so often too! for potential jet lag, a combination homeopathic product called "no jet lag" also helps many. Hypnotic: 1-3 mg melatonin.

Flight Anxiety: Overseas trips can be long and being confined in the plane for 8 to 14 hours can cause Anxiety Prior to taking flight, let Wise Person in you reflect about Anxiety: •Duration •Symptoms •What gives Relief- which Medications and for how long; •Stresses in life Discuss with a Psychiatrist: •Therapy •Desensitization •Ativan or Xanax for Anxiety based upon severity of Anxiety •Melatonin forsleep.