Ativan and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Dru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2020

For Anxiety "Ativan does the job. But you do NOT want to go through the withdrawal. It's very bad. I have generalized anxiety and panic disorder to the point where I can't leave the house unless I really have to. And Ativan makes it a lot easier to leave the house. The withdrawal makes your anxiety come back with vengeance. It's bad. For the short term, it's great, but long term you become addicted and physically dependent on it. And you build a tolerance so it doesn't help you as much as initially taking it. I love Ativan and recommend it to anyone suffering from anxiety. Just make sure you wean off it, or you will feel like life becomes a nightmare."

• ins...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2020

For Insomnia "Ativan ruined my life. My psychiatrist prescribed me 2mg to take every night while trying out an antidepressant. After about 7 weeks, I was addicted to Ativan, and when I tried to stop taking it, I had seizures and panic attacks. I had to keep taking it to stabilize. Then I had to switch to Valium and slowly taper off the benzodiazepines to avoid another seizure. It took me a year and a half to taper off, and I now have chronic fear, anxiety, tinnitus, and insomnia. I wish I never touched this drug."

• Sta...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 7, 2019

For Anxiety "I've been taking Ativan since 2008. For the last five years, I went up from 2 mg a day to 3 mg. I want to get off this drug because I feel my brain is cloudy. I went to my doctor, and he gave me a schedule on how to wean off, but his schedule is not working for me. I've been trying to wean off for the last 2 weeks, and I finally got down to 2 mg today. I feel a lot of anxiety, and I had to take another half milligram to calm me down. Does anyone have any suggestions? Do I need to go to a hospital? I have no family to help me."

• Jra...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 17, 2019

For Anxiety "I like Ativan better than Valium but not Xanax. Be careful with any benzodiazepines. They will mess with your brain and cause memory loss. I've been on them for 20 years. There's no way I can go off them now. I'm in a tough spot. I tried to stop twice and it drove me insane. I managed to kick a 4-year opiate addiction with the help of Suboxone, and that was challenging. Getting off benzos is even harder than kicking opiates. Believe me, benzodiazepines are dangerous. My doctor never warned me about the addiction until I switched medications, after about 5 years. Isn't that nice? I rely on them to keep me calm. I suffer from very severe anxiety, but knowing what I know now, I would have preferred to have a shot of vodka a couple of times a day. I'm not a drinker, but it's better than dealing with the side effects of benzos. Moderation is the key."

• Rig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2022

For Anxiety "This medication has saved my life. I always suffered with panic attacks, agoraphobia, and anxiety. I wasn't taking anything for my condition and was simply surviving, not living. Three months ago, I tried a melatonin supplement that contained passiflora incarnata and had a really bad reaction. I couldn't sleep for seven days straight, and it triggered severe anxiety. On day seven, I stopped taking the supplement, but it left me with EXTREME anxiety that wouldn't go away. Doctors gave me Seroquel, risperidone, Zoloft, nothing worked. I am going to try Lexapro. I went through three months of hell. One of the doctors prescribed me Ativan, and I am so happy he did. It's the only thing that worked, I was contemplating suicide because I felt horrible dread feelings 24/7. Words can't explain how bad I felt, I was in hell. Ativan is the only thing that truly helped me and stopped the anxiety in its tracks. I couldn't sleep before it, I would wake up every 20 minutes and have horrible anxiety dreams. Ativan saves."

• Rig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2022

For Anxiety "This medication has saved my life. I always suffered with panic attacks, agoraphobia, and anxiety. I wasn't taking anything for my condition and was simply surviving, not living. Three months ago, I tried a melatonin supplement that contained passiflora incarnata and had a really bad reaction. I couldn't sleep for seven days straight, and it triggered severe anxiety. On day seven, I stopped taking the supplement, but it left me with EXTREME anxiety that wouldn't go away. Doctors gave me Seroquel, risperidone, Zoloft, nothing worked. I am going to try Lexapro. I went through three months of hell. One of the doctors prescribed me Ativan, and I am so happy he did. It's the only thing that worked, I was contemplating suicide because I felt horrible dread feelings 24/7. Words can't explain how bad I felt, I was in hell. Ativan is the only thing that truly helped me and stopped the anxiety in its tracks. I couldn't sleep before it, I would wake up every 20 minutes and have horrible anxiety dreams. Ativan saves."

• Rig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2022

For Anxiety "This medication has saved my life. I always suffered with panic attacks, agoraphobia, and anxiety. I wasn't taking anything for my condition and was simply surviving, not living. Three months ago, I tried a melatonin supplement that contained passiflora incarnata and had a really bad reaction. I couldn't sleep for seven days straight, and it triggered severe anxiety. On day seven, I stopped taking the supplement, but it left me with EXTREME anxiety that wouldn't go away. Doctors gave me Seroquel, risperidone, Zoloft, nothing worked. I am going to try Lexapro. I went through three months of hell. One of the doctors prescribed me Ativan, and I am so happy he did. It's the only thing that worked, I was contemplating suicide because I felt horrible dread feelings 24/7. Words can't explain how bad I felt, I was in hell. Ativan is the only thing that truly helped me and stopped the anxiety in its tracks. I couldn't sleep before it, I would wake up every 20 minutes and have horrible anxiety dreams. Ativan saves."

• Hyp...
• March 11, 2019

For Anxiety "I was diagnosed with panic disorder at 8 years old, and when I was 13, the panic attacks became severe. My psychiatrist finally prescribed me 15 pills per month of 1 mg of Ativan. I’m now 18, and just went through a really hard time. I relapsed into severe anxiety, had to quit all my schooling. My panic attacks can last for hours, and this is the only thing that provides relief during those sleepless nights. If it weren’t for Ativan, I’d have gone to the hospital 30 times now. It is pretty easy to become dependent. I’m tapering off, went from 0.5 mg per day to 0.25 mg, to skipping days. The withdrawal symptoms are not terrible, but they’re definitely uncomfortable. I suffered vertigo, insomnia, and increased anxiety. Advice to anyone taking this medication: Never cut cold turkey. Although rare, it can cause seizures if you stop the medication suddenly. Also, it’s very easy to become dependent on it. Please be careful."

• Pum...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 2, 2019

For Anxiety "I’ve been taking lorazepam for about 15 years for sleeping. It works wonders. Six weeks ago, I went through a very stressful time, and my anxiety went through the roof. I hesitated for weeks about taking another 0.5 during the day because of my fear of getting hooked on this. Finally, I gave in the other afternoon, and I was my normal self that night and all the next day. Then, the following day, I was back to being anxious. So disappointing because I had hoped something got jarred into place. I'll try cutting the daytime one in half and see if I can do that for a few days. I do like this drug."

• EJK...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2018

For Anxiety "Yes, it will stop panic attacks, but good luck coming off it. I was having severe anxiety after a bad spell of taking Lexapro, which made my anxiety worse and gave me constant panic attacks, so my doctor had me taking 0.5 mg three times a day. I was so grateful to have some relief that I didn't question the dose, but the more I read about dependence, the more nervous I became. I started tapering off it after only a month, and I thought I was going to die. Hallucinating, insomnia where I didn't sleep for days, couldn't keep down solid food, crippling depression, and agoraphobia... it was a nightmare, and I was contemplating checking into a hospital. I eventually transitioned to buspirone and eventually Pristiq. Such a nightmare. I can't recommend Ativan to anyone who may be sensitive to benzos."

• Ana...
• September 11, 2009

For Anxiety "Ativan has a troublesome history of abuse and ignorance associated with it. People expect some magical pill to solve all their problems on a daily basis, following the advice of a doctor rather than their own body. I lead a stressful life, and sometimes there's no amount of relaxing, watching movies, etc., to get my body to calm down. I always want to get up and run, work out, etc. If used properly, it's a lifesaving medication for me. Losing my hair from stress, Gilbert's syndrome, etc., finally I am able to enjoy my life again, enjoy movies, etc. Used properly, it's a tool I wish to have at my touch at all times available. Responsibility and moderation to all."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 30, 2021

For Anxiety "I have been on Ativan in varying dosages for a few years now. I had a terrible bout of anxiety after an illness years ago, and I was unable to eat anything for weeks due to extreme stomach pain. If I wasn’t prescribed Ativan, I don’t know if I would have survived. I don't think that benzos have such a stigma, but for those living with anxiety and all the terrible things that come along with it, it can make living so much better. At my highest anxiety, I was taking 3 mg/day. I could finally eat and get through the day without pain. When I am not having issues, I take 0.5 mg at night to sleep. If I don’t have it for more than 24 hours, I can tell because I will wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. I don’t love the fact that it is so addictive, but I don’t know where I would be without it."

• Jaz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2018

For Anxiety "I was in a traumatic car accident. I ended up with severe anxiety. I ended up getting panic attacks also. Thought I was going to die. Never took any anxiety pills before this accident. Now I'm taking lorazepam - Ativan, this works great for me. Oh my goodness! I'm reading the reviews. Everyone is different. Some works for some, and some won't. It's a 50/50 chance like any drug. It depends on the severity of your diagnosis and how well your body can adapt to it. All depends. I can tell you this: it works for me. For now. My mom took it for 15 years. She's 64 years old. It works great for her. Anyone taking this should walk, exercise, or do a hobby you like. Sauna always helps. Anything relaxing helps. It decreases your anxiety, and remember counseling or going to a support group helps."

• Kan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2018

For Anxiety "I am the 1% of people who take Ativan and suffer from extreme anxiety and paranoia. If you experience these symptoms, you are NOT alone, but you should stop taking the medication (with help from a doctor). Once I stopped taking it, I felt so much better and was not paranoid or filled with anxiety."

• Til...
• December 5, 2015

For Anxiety "Highly addictive medicine. Very angry I was put on this. I have worse anxiety and hand, feet, and head tremors. Docs give out benzos too easily. Then they do not want to help you get off them. It is awful. They treat you like a pill seeker instead of slowly weaning you off. More doctors need to use the Ashton Method of withdrawal. Taking someone off benzos too quickly can induce anger, crying spells, depression, and even seizures. Too many doctors do not want to help patients get off these pills, and it is wrong."

• rai...
• May 14, 2015

For Anxiety "Lifesaver for adrenaline rush feelings. The smallest dose cut in half makes me feel calm, slows my racing heart and heart palpitations, and puts me to sleep. I couldn't have survived Lyme disease without it. The only bad things are it will make you tired, and after being on it for 2 weeks straight, you're likely to have rebound anxiety. If you have long-term anxiety, SSRIs are the best choice."

• Nut...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 28, 2023

For Anxiety "I’ve been on this medication for anxiety and anger since 2018, it immediately takes away panic rage and lets me think clearly. However, my psychiatrist took me off cold turkey 9 days ago, and I feel miserable!!! I’m having constant blackouts, anxiety, intense paranoia, rage, no energy at all to even get up and use the bathroom, and insomnia. I’m afraid of feeling like this for years or forever, I don't know how to deal anymore. This is so unreal. I’ve had many crying fits and moments of depression because of this awful feeling. Pros: 10/10 Cons: 0/10"

• Dow...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 24, 2021

For Insomnia "I have had severe insomnia for over a decade. I’ve always been a light sleeper, but the past 8-9 years have been horrid. I am 48 years old. Have been prescribed every drug under the sun. After years of horrible sleep, I now have severe anxiety. I have had to go on short-term disability 3 times in 5 years. I usually hinged my insomnia and anxiety on work stress. I was assigned a new project that was very high profile, and I started not sleeping for days on end. I went to the doctor before things got too bad, I did not want to end up on disability again. He prescribed Ativan. I started taking it, 0.5-1 mg a night. Soon I was taking it every night, then after about 6 months, it stopped working. I ended up in the hospital for a week and quit my job. Ativan works, but you better hope it always does. Now on Seroquel and cannot sleep at all without it. Terrified for my family's future as I am so unstable. I have a wife and 3 kids."

• Pau...
• April 20, 2017

For Anxiety "Have been taking this for situational anxiety for many years. It worked to some degree, but I would always feel depressed afterwards, which was awful. Last year, I used it daily, up to 1.5 mg, while I was changing my antidepressant. This was a huge mistake. I soon reached the tolerance and began to get rebound anxiety, which started up every morning. I've been off of it for 10 weeks now and still suffering. This is really hard to come off of. My advice is don't take this more than once a week, and that may be too much. My anxiety is so much worse because of lorazepam."

• Mol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2015

For Anxiety "I took lorazepam for 19 days at .5 mg as needed. I was taking them in the afternoon around 4:30. The doctor only gave me 20 pills for anxiety and sent me home. While taking them, I was feeling even worse, I couldn't sleep, I would wake up shaking and scared, and couldn't eat until I took the pill. I decided to stop taking them because I was getting more anxiety and wired thoughts and was shaking all day. So, I quit cold turkey - I didn't know I was to taper off. On the second day of not taking it, I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, walking around feeling like I'm going crazy, a lot of anxiety attacks and panic attacks. I don't feel joy or happiness. The only thing I could think of is I'm having withdrawals. I stopped taking it on December 9, 2015, it is now December 29, 2015."

• OLI...
• May 6, 2010

For Anxiety "I am a 79-year-old woman. I was prescribed 1 mg of Ativan years ago for sleep as I am a naturally anxious person... worrier, etc. Last November, I went through a traumatizing surgery on my back and came up with GAD. I was put on Cymbalta, which made me very sick. I was left with this jittery, crying daily problem, and I finally asked if I could break up a 1 mg Ativan pill and take some of it when I felt these awful jitters coming on. He agreed it was O.K. I resisted it for a week or two after reading some of the posts, but I now think I am old and I need to stop being anxiety-ridden. My family deserves for me to be normal. If taking Ativan accomplishes this, O.K."

• ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2023

For Anxiety "The only word I can use to describe how I feel after taking only 0.25 mg of Ativan is 'weird.' It has ramped up my anxiety, but I still feel a calming sensation on top of it. It's making focusing harder, and I'm a bit uncoordinated. I expected some side effects, but I definitely didn't expect it to make my anxiety worse. It's really unpleasant."

• cre...
• January 12, 2012

For Anxiety "Ativan 0.5 mg calms me down considerably within 30 minutes, but the side effects are so bad that I can't continue to take it. I experienced EXTREME loss of energy, tiredness, laziness, apathy, and an increase in appetite. This might be okay for someone who's at home trying to recover from panic attacks, but not for me. I work 5 days a week, and this past week that I was only taking 1 x 0.5 mg pill a day was the absolute worst week I've ever had at work, living in a fog and totally wiped out of energy. I hardly got ANYTHING done, which is totally out of character for me. Also, when this medicine wears off in a few hours, it makes me very irritable and nervous."

• xdo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 16, 2022

For Panic Disorder "I have very severe anxiety and panic attacks 24/7. It never goes away, and I’m too scared to take antidepressants. I also have a phobia of vomiting, fainting, and having a panic attack, haha. I also have 24/7 dizziness. I’ve only ever taken 0.5 mg of Ativan (under tongue) a few times when I was having a panic attack or when I had to go to the dentist. It made me feel almost more anxious when I left my dentist appointment, and I thought I was going to have a panic attack. That was a little over an hour after taking it. The other times I took it, it worked and didn’t peak my panic attack, but made me feel groggy and more anxious when it wore off. For me, any benzo is a hit or miss, and I never know if it’s going to work this time or not."

• Gen...
• June 9, 2019

For Anxiety "Addiction, dependence, and abuse are all three very different things and carry different definitions and connotations. I see many worried about addiction. As with any of the many drugs that change a physiological function, our bodies can become up- or down-regulated and normalize the presence of the drug. Any mammal reducing or discontinuing certain drugs, like Ativan, can experience dependence, characterized by physical and emotional distress at withdrawal. This should NOT alone be considered addiction. Addiction often involves dependence, but that's not all. If you discontinue Ativan and find yourself drinking uncharacteristically more or pursuing other chemical ways to cope, you may have a valid addiction concern. Physical/emotional dependence is not the only criterion for addiction. Doctors are generally accepting of this and should take no offense. Consult an expert, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and alcohol are the only common substances that can be dangerous if discontinued suddenly."