Without going into a long explanation (maybe another time if people want to know), I believe certain things about psych meds (not just anti-anxiety meds, but all of them). I believe, if I hadn't been put on meds when I was a child, I may not need them now. I think these meds create not only a possible addiction, but I think they alter the brain and/or the body to become different, in a way that they can't function without the meds. When I was young, I don't remember ever being as anxious (except during an actual panic attack) for so long a time as I am without meds. When I went off meds totally (over a period of two years, with a pdoc's supervision), I was in constant anxiety, always on the verge of a panic attack. So, I got back on meds. I was given more meds than I'd ever been on, and even now, I wonder if I need them all. I know I need the Xanax...if I miss only two in a row, I feel it. I've never missed more than that, but I believe if I did, it would be like I wasn't on any meds at all, even though I'm on several.

I think if you take an anti-anxiety med once or for special occasions (like a plane trip), you'll probably be fine with them. I'm more suspicious of taking them as a regular prescription.