I would like to give you the best advice I can, and that is not to take my medication advice on this matter. There are so many variables to take into account with these choices, and these circumstances, that I would advise you to sit down with a psychopharmacologist, someone you trust or is recommended by your psychiatrist. Its not just a matter of recommending, it involves monitoring as well. YOur psychiatrist may be a psychopharmacologist, but if he is not, then seek a consultation.
I take 10 mg. of atarax at nites often, it does help quite a lot. My sister takes 25 mgs occassionally. I have taken it during the day for anxiety also, but it is dangerous when driving cause it does make u drousy. It is a very safe drug so my dr. tells me and i have taken it on and off for years. It was first prescribed for my daughter by her pediatritian when she was 9 for some lite sleeping problems. Thats how i came across it, i took one too that nite and it really does help. I have noticed though now that i've taken it for a while it doesn't work as well as it did, but i don't need it much anymore either.