What is the most appropriate therapy for a patient with a fear of flying resulting in severe anxiety and panic?

In the context of treating a fear of flying that leads to severe anxiety and panic, the use of a benzodiazepine, such as Lorazepam, is particularly appropriate for immediate relief of symptoms. Benzodiazepines work quickly to alleviate anxiety by enhancing the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain, leading to a calming effect. This rapid action can be especially beneficial for situations that provoke acute anxiety, such as flying.

In contrast, while SSRIs like Paroxetine and Sertraline, as well as SNRI Venlafaxine, are considered effective for generalized anxiety and panic disorders, they typically take several weeks to achieve their full therapeutic effect. This delay can be less suitable for a specific situation like flying, where the anxiety is acute and immediate relief may be required. Therefore, they may not provide the prompt alleviation of symptoms needed in a scenario where a person is facing an imminent flight.

Overall, for urgent, situational anxiety or panic, Lorazepam serves as a suitable choice for quick alleviation of anxiety symptoms related to the specific fear of flying.