Lorazepam and Depression: What Users Say

• Mia...
• January 15, 2020

For Anxiety "I've been on lorazepam for over 20 years. 1 mg twice a day as needed. Have to take one at night because my brain never stops. It was my savior med. If someone says they have something that will stop your paralyzing panic attacks and nonstop anxiety, what would you do? I jumped right on it. Now I can't find a med doctor who wants to prescribe it! They want to put me in rehab?? I've had two heart attacks from my panic attacks, so no, I'm absolutely terrified to get off the med. I also have very high blood pressure. So what I'm seeing is this could be the end of me because lorazepam is the only thing giving me somewhat of a normal life, and Dr. won't prescribe it. I'm agoraphobic, have such bad panic attacks that they wake me up. Sometimes twice a night. I also suffer from depression, PTSD, OCD. Looks like I'm doomed. Thx, doctors."

• Ben...
• July 6, 2016

For Insomnia "DO NOT take benzos for insomnia - they work great, until you reach tolerance, and then you go into full withdrawal unless you up the dose considerably. By then you probably will have already found the dirty underside of this terrible drug, which is agoraphobia, brutal insomnia, loss of motivation and stunning depression. Next, you'll find out that you cannot withdraw from this drug in a reasonable manner, and the required tapering-off methods could take years. During withdrawal you will have the worst insomnia imaginable, for months on end, and nothing will relieve it, except more benzos than any doctor will prescribe. Don't even start on this evil drug. If you think this is an overreaction, Google 'benzodiazepine withdrawal'."

• Ben...
• July 6, 2016

For Insomnia "DO NOT take benzos for insomnia - they work great, until you reach tolerance, and then you go into full withdrawal unless you up the dose considerably. By then you probably will have already found the dirty underside of this terrible drug, which is agoraphobia, brutal insomnia, loss of motivation and stunning depression. Next, you'll find out that you cannot withdraw from this drug in a reasonable manner, and the required tapering-off methods could take years. During withdrawal you will have the worst insomnia imaginable, for months on end, and nothing will relieve it, except more benzos than any doctor will prescribe. Don't even start on this evil drug. If you think this is an overreaction, Google 'benzodiazepine withdrawal'."

• phi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 1, 2014

For Insomnia "Have taken lorazepam now for a year, only on and off when insomnia becomes unbearable. They are little life savers, only take 0.5 mg. Took 1 mg once and had a bad day the next day - depressed and drowsy the whole day. Menopause is a challenging time with the awful insomnia. I have also taken Night Nurse and sometimes 3 mg melatonin. It is hard to get a doctor to prescribe the tablets, but they are worth taking just to get one night's sleep."

• n81...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2013

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Most subtle of the benzos I have tried. It made me sleepy the first hour or two, but then stabilized my anxiety and mood for about six hours. Much longer lasting than it is given credit for. Good PRN medication. Other benzos cause some moodiness or depression even. Although I think Lorazepam can, it is much smoother than others. It is again too sedating for many people, though. I liked it about as much as Clonazepam, it is better than Valium, in my opinion."

• Owl...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 30, 2016

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Ativan is very good for anxiety. The trick is not to take it too often. I've found that I get used to dosages fast. I've also found that on the day following when I take it, I'm more tired, listless, and depressed. It's something to watch out for."

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

Lorazepam 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."

• Til...
• December 5, 2015

Lorazepam 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."

• Kra...
• August 12, 2019

For Insomnia "Lorazepam helps 80% of the time. I say this because if I am extremely anxious, it won’t help unless I take more than a usual dose. Zopiclone works even better. Each person has a different experience. I only take half of their smallest dose. Also, I limit my usage to 2 times a week. What I take every night is Seroquel. It is usually used for mental illness (bipolar) but in high doses. In a very small dose, many docs recommend it for sleep, but unlike the other two, it is not addictive and you don’t have to increase the dose over time. If I take half of their lowest dose, I sleep very well 5 or 6 nights a week, but I am finding that half is too much for me and can be quite depressing first thing in the morning. I am trying a quarter as I am running out of solutions. As mentioned, everyone has a different experience depending on their physical and mental makeup. I have tried meditation, herbal teas, valerian root, not strong enough."

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2019

For Insomnia "It works well... but getting off makes the original insomnia much worse, plus more. I was battling chronic pain and insomnia and prescribed this for 2 weeks, 2 to 3 days in a row max. Day 1, 1 mg gave me 7 hrs of great sleep. Day 2, thought I'd wind down slowly, 1/2 mg, 6-7 hrs, then 1/4 tablet I only got 2 1/2 hrs... even less than the 4 to 5 broken hours I was getting prior. I worked back to 4 to 5 hrs, then a few days later developed dissociation and anxiety. Worked through that, back on pills to combat pain and sleep. Then got hit with depression. It wasn't until it was too late I realized there was a pattern... 3 to 4 days after each time I stopped... that's when side effects are at the worst. Then I was screwed, cycled through various alternatives which made things worse and had to start taking Lorazepam daily as I could only sleep for 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hrs a night by that point. Then finally, over a month I started paroxetine and CBT and I slowly weaned myself off. Stay away, especially if prone to anxiety or depression."

• It...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 8, 2022

Lorazepam for Panic Disorder "I take 2 mg on occasion for sleep. I try to go no more than two 2 mg pills a week. For severe anger and panic attacks, I will take 2 mg. I really try not to take them every time I have an emotion because some are normal. Everyone is different and responds differently and needs to be tailored to their life. Personally, I would rather not take them, but realize I have to. Side effects are feeling a little fatigued and down, but that's the only side effect for me. So I'm very careful with using them."

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

Lorazepam 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"

• cle...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 2, 2016

For Anxiety "This drug nearly ruined my life. But, you don't have to believe me. Just go Google 'lorazepam withdrawal' or 'Ativan withdrawal,' and you can see it for yourself. I was never told how horrific the withdrawal would be from this medicine. I have spent nearly five months in extreme anxiety that is nearly fifty times the intensity of the anxiety I had when starting this med. The doctors are not educated on the w/d of this med because the pharm companies do not release these studies because then they wouldn't prescribe it! I became agitated, suicidal, depressed, and had PTSD-like symptoms from this drug. Not one person warned me, and I just took it every day like the bottle said, many times LESS than prescribed. PLEASE do your research!"

• Ped...
• February 18, 2019

Lorazepam for ICU Agitation "I was given this for post-op pain in recovery instead of narcotics because an anesthesiologist deemed me a drug user because I requested no morphine due to severe itching and scratching until I bled. I could not take ibuprofen due to renal disease. I was given 2 mg Ativan IV and told it was pain medication. I could feel every bit of the pain but could not speak... people were walking by me and would say, “she is asleep now,” but I was screaming inside. All it did was drug me to the point I could not speak but could feel every bit of the pain. On the way home from the hospital, I went psychotic in the car trying to hurt other people. This left me with nightmares for 2-3 weeks, depression, anger, and memory loss. It was not disclosed what was given until I kept pressing them because it was the worst surgical experience ever. The cover-up was the worst. It hindered my healing from the surgery."

• Ros...
• January 31, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I started taking this medication at 0.5 mg and thought I was okay. I had to get the dose upped to 1.0 mg to sleep, but what has been happening is I cry all the time, am angry and sad. I cry most of the day, every day! I am having what a doctor called PTSD from seeing my mom pass 2 years ago and am dealing with anger issues there still, but now all I do is cry! Does anyone else feel this? I feel so alone! Rose"

• Aan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 16, 2019

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Ativan is an amazing drug to take for sleep and for anxiety, however, proceed with caution if you struggle with depression and are not on other meds for depression. I started taking Ativan for insomnia and for anxiety, but it unmasked depression for me and put me in a real dark place, and all I did was cry before I would finally go to sleep. I slept amazing, but like I said, it made me feel more depressed. :( So for that reason, I had to stop taking it. But it is the best for sleep. I always woke up feeling super refreshed if I took Ativan the night before, and it didn’t make me have any crazy dreams like some meds for sleep can do. Like I said, the only side effects for me were worsening depression and sometimes upon waking, feeling confused. Other than that, I highly recommend Ativan ❤️."

• Pau...
• April 20, 2017

Lorazepam 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."

• DKa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 4, 2019

Lorazepam "I have been taking 0.05 mg for nearly twenty years for my inner ear condition called Meniere’s disease. I would suffer with debilitating dizziness (vertigo) to the point that I would have to roll out of bed to the floor and crawl to get to the restroom or any other place in my house. If I stood up, I would fall over. Ativan has given me my life back. It is a miracle drug for me. A couple of years ago, I had a mental breakdown due to extreme stress from my job, loss of parents, and a son. This made my Meniere’s worse, and I was put on 1 mg. This was the only thing that helped me function until an antidepressant (Wellbutrin) kicked in. I am now back on the 0.5 dose, 1 daily in the morning, and able to live a very normal life. I am very thankful for this medication."

• Cra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 6, 2015

For Anxiety "Ativan was prescribed inpatient to me. After major suicidal ideations and an active plan, I was given this to take when required (about 3 to 4 mg a day) inpatient. I am on Lamictal, Lexapro, and Ritalin, also Seroquel as needed for sleep, plus Ativan 1 mg when required. I usually take 1 mg in the evening. Works great! Very subtle compared to Klonopin, Valium, and Xanax. I would rank Xanax as number 1, Ativan number 2, Valium 3, and Klonopin a close 3rd but 4th. Give Ativan about 1.5 hours to feel effects, it takes about 2 hours to peak and lasts about 8 for me. Doesn't pack a 'punch' like Xanax or Valium, but it is noticeable. It also seems to help depression somewhat! Whereas others can drag you down."

• ocd...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 23, 2014

For Anxiety "I suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. It has worked wonders when I start to suffer. I take 1 mg in the morning, and I feel like my old self again. However, I'm starting to wonder if it is causing some of my depression. Once the medicine wears off, my mood crashes. I get very emotional, anxiety creeps up, agitated, and very depressed. I pop another one, and my mood stabilizes. Another thing, it is very habit-forming, so don't stop taking it abruptly. Consult your doctor first for a plan."

• Lad...
• October 11, 2018

Lorazepam "I was given Ativan for anxiety due to TMJ (temporomandibular disorder) chronic pain. It ended up taking away the pain itself. However, being in the mental health field, I'm well aware of the addictive qualities of this drug. I was appalled at how quickly I was put on 1 mg/day for 3 weeks and given a renewed prescription without question every time I went in. Users must beware of the high addictiveness and that it can take years to taper off this medication and years for the brain to return to a normal state. Severe withdrawal can cause psychosis, depression, seizures, and death, and rebound symptoms are very common even at low doses (rebound symptoms is when you go off or taper down the medication, you experience a worsening of the condition it was intended to treat in the first place). If you've been prescribed this by your GP, please do your research and talk to a specialist about it and follow their advice. Benzodiazepines have ruined many lives and are still continuously over-prescribed."

• Anonymous
• December 24, 2009

Lorazepam for Anxiety "With proper dosing, i.e., enough mgs, Ativan works very well in controlling my irritability and anxiety. The only temporary, mild side effects that occurred were a slight lack of motivation, slight feelings of disorientation, which dissipated quickly."

• Jim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2018

For Anxiety "Was prescribed this after a nervous breakdown left me with severe insomnia for 2 weeks, leading to daily panic attacks and severe depression. I took 0.5 mg at night and finally passed out. I still had some residual anxiety for a few days, but I was able to cope. Now, after 7 days of 0.5 mg at night, I started to taper off to 0.25 mg per night to get off the med and am experiencing minor withdrawals. Last night, I had nausea and anxiety attacks, leading to some sleep loss. I plan to fight through it at 0.25 mg per night for the next 4 days, then go down to 0.125 mg for a week, then stop... Be careful with this stuff, it works wonders, but make sure you have an exit in mind. I am frightened to think of how the withdrawal would be had I not started tapering so soon."

• mrs...
• February 21, 2016

For Anxiety "I have had to take this medication (when I try my hardest to stay away from meds) on a few occasions. Every time, it's only taken .2 or .5 mg to relieve my panic attack! I love it, except my Dr. won't prescribe me anymore for those just-in-case times, and I don't want to go on an antidepressant. I don't know if it's just my depression, but I feel a lack of motivation and very tired, but that could have to do with it being a sedative too. Would suggest to anyone that just can't control the anxiety and panic."

• Ati...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2021

Lorazepam for Panic Disorder "I have tried just about every benzo for chronic anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, and panic attacks. Klonopin 0.5 mg 3x a day made me depressed and sleepy, and made me want to take extra. Valium 10 mg 3x a day worked great but resulted in excess daytime sedation and far too much muscle relaxation. Xanax was perfect, except for the rebound anxiety, the potency, and the extremely short duration of action. My Dr. suggested Ativan. I agreed and switched to 1 mg 3x a day, then 0.5 mg 3x daily. I found Ativan the least addicting of the benzodiazepines I’ve tried, although it’s supposedly very addictive. I also thought it was relatively easy to come off of, at least compared to Klonopin or Xanax! Finally, it has the lowest number of side effects relative to the main effect. Ativan doesn’t make me drowsy but does get rid of my anxiety. And 0.5 mg is enough for a bad flare-up of anxiety, 1 mg enough for a panic attack."