Q. I experience overwhelming anxiety and have problems flying and riding in elevators. This problem has gotten worse lately. My doctor prescribes an anti-anxiety drug when I occasionally fly. Is there an alternative to taking prescription drugs to get relief from the anxiety?
A. You may want to consult a therapist who uses cognitive-behavioral therapy to treat fear of flying. This approach can be very effective.
Anti-anxiety medicine can be helpful. However, if you take it on a regular basis to help you ride the elevator to your office, beware of stopping the medicine suddenly. Some people report withdrawal difficulties from medicines like Ativan (lorazepam) or Xanax (alprazolam).
