Ativan for Panic Disorder User Reviews

• Chris
• May 10, 2020

"I have had panic disorder, agoraphobia, and severe anxiety for 10 years, so I need something like Ativan that sedates me and calms me down when I get hysterical. After numerous trips to the ER and every time I went there they gave me this. Finally talked to my psychiatrist and got the prescription so I don't have to go to a hospital for my severe panic attacks. Medications I used to take made me feel like I was going crazy lol. Unlike other medications I have tried in the past there is really not any side effects besides it makes you a little drowsy. This is a true lifesaver for a person who could not otherwise function. This helps with how debilitating panic attacks and severe anxiety can be. I would highly recommend this and I have tried countless other remedies but this one tops all."

• doorn...
• May 6, 2013

"After losing my first child, I soon started having these feelings like I was having a heart attack, chest pains, hand cramps, and could not breathe. After several trips to the hospital, I was told it was a panic disorder. That was thirty-two years ago. I was given Ativan to hold under my tongue, and I still use it to this day 3x 2mg daily as needed. I now have two grown sons and two grandchildren, but I do not think I could have made it without Ativan and a great support group. I have no side effects, just a calm, peaceful feeling."

• Panic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2015

"I am prone to terrible and traumatizing panic attacks. I was afraid one was going to happen on an airplane, so I dreaded an upcoming flight for months. On the day of the flight, I took a 0.5 pill and felt all of my anxiety wash away. I took another pill at the gate before boarding and had the most calm flight of my life with essentially no notable anxiety. This medication has allowed me to no longer be a prisoner of my panic. It's really changed my life."

• Ash
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 27, 2020

"I had tried so many other bad anxiety medications like daily ones and had worse symptoms even panic all day. ATAVIN saved my life , I started with half a pill to see how it affected me and I take .5 . I didn't feel super high or messed up, I felt calm and normal I hadn't ever found something that worked for me EVER. I was so scared to try new anxiety medications bc of bad experiences but this one is amazing as needed. I prefer to take it at night since u get a little tired and relax. Everyone has a different experience and I recommend this as needed. As someone who has anxiety about taking medications you should try it and see if it helps cuz it helped relieve mine anxiety with in 30 mins or less of a panic attack . The next day feels a little mellow in a good way relaxed and like a human not going a million miles from anxiety. Hope this helps !"

• Kat
• June 15, 2015

"I'm as stubborn as it gets when it comes to taking medicine. I've been on just about everything for anxiety/ panic attacks. I began having panic attacks 5 months ago and have been living in complete fear. I couldn't even buy groceries without feeling like I was being pulled to the floor. I have every physical symptom of panic. Racing heart, chest pain, dizziness, I've even hyperventilated so bad that I've passed out. This medicine works. My doctor gave me 1mg tablets that are scored. I take half a mg and the panic is instantly gone for the entire day. It's a life saver. I really dread when I have to come off this medicine because it makes me feel human again, which is why I give it a 9/10."

• Stude...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 14, 2017

"Prior to starting med school, I was having numerous panic attacks. Over time they intensified, getting worse by the day. I seriously thought that the social life was just done for me. I used to try and stay close to hospitals in case something bad happened to me. I worried excessively about my health (in which I'm completely healthy). I constantly went to emergency rooms to see doctors for having panic aftacks (heart beating fast, shaking, feeling of "lost in the world" and scared). I tried so many anti depressants and anti anxiety meds. They either made me too sleepy, headaches, or didn't work at all. ATIVAN has been EXCELLENT! No Side effects ! Works perfect! Psych docs hate the drug! But it works!"

• Ninks
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 7, 2017

"I've had severe panic attacks for forty years. They run constantly and NEVER stop! I'm 78 years old and have been taking 1mg Ativan three times a day which barely keeps them under control! I need four a day but my doctor acts like I'm asking for heroin! I have never needed a stronger dose, Now, they are almost banned !Call your representatives and the comment line at the White House and demand we be given this medication because we must have it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2014

"I have panic disorder and generalized anxiety. I take 1 to 2 mg sublingually when fighting anxiety or at the onset of a panic attack. I took one at the onset of an attack this morning, and within 5 minutes I could breathe again, my hands returned to normal temperature, and I was able to focus on getting the kids ready for school. I'm glad that 1mg is strong enough to prevent an attack, and that it doesn't dope me up - just calms me down and eases the physical issues."

• Anony...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

"I was put on Ativan after I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Embolism. I was given Ativan while in the ER and during my hospital stay. After I was released, I was given a prescription of Ativan (with no refills). It helped me tremendously. I didn't take it daily, only when I felt a panic attack coming on, or felt my anxiety creeping up also. My primary physician prescribed me another prescription after I was out of the one from the hospital. That one had no refills also. She prescribed it to me because I was a mess from PE and was suffering from depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and she diagnosed me with PTSD. I was moving also (out of state) and she said that the new doctors I would be seeing wouldn't prescribe me this again, so that is why she prescribed one more 30-count for me. I only took it when I knew I needed to take it. I never abused the drug, and it helped me so much it was a life-changer. I never had any issues with Ativan, no side effects, I love it!"

• RobbyR
• April 9, 2016

"I used to get bad panic attacks, and very severe anxiety, and ativan was the best medication I ever took in terms of completely getting rid of my anxiety. It calmed me down quickly, got rid of my anxiety completely, and made me relaxed and calm. It's very potent and effective. Compared to Xanax I think Xanax works better for regular anxiety and Ativan to me seemed stronger. Also Ativan seemed to considerably elevate my mood compared to Xanax. It's probably best for those occasional severe panic attacks not to be taken too often. Very effective though!"

• Stella
• January 19, 2015

"Ativan works. I just started getting panic attacks in my 40s no real reason for it except maybe aspartame caffeine sometimes emotional but in all I'm not sure why have gotten panic attacks. But Ativan works sometimes I need three pills of .5 mg or sometimes I just need one but I only take them as needed not sure if my doctor is going to continue to give them to me but I definitely need a back up of some kind and it does make you feel better so think goodness for that."

• Starg...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 10, 2022

"Stay away from this evil drug. Anyone reading this, this is not to scare you. I have become bed bound, completely scared for my life after a year 1/2 on this med so far. Yes, it feels amazing when you first take it. You will feel your panic go away & before you know it, you’re taking it daily. You’ll eventually build a tolerance to it where you need more & more to have the same effect. Then, after so long, you will have interdose withdrawals & have unexplainable symptoms happen to you that no one can explain. Read about other people’s experiences & the horrifying truth about taking Ativan long term. Your life will become a living hell. I’ve developed OCD so severe, I’m scared to leave my house, I’m scared for my life. I’ve lost all hope & it’s worsened my physical conditions. I’ve been to the ER time after time, test after test & I’ve come to the conclusion that my strange symptoms can only be explained because of Ativan."

• Senior
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 14, 2018

"I found this medicine extremely helpful. I felt like I was going to die from panic until the doctor prescribed me this lifesaving drug. Worked wonderfully and without any side effects like other drugs I tried."

• bhaml...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2012

"Excellent experience with Ativan. Have used it for flight anxiety and flew with a smile on my face. Also used it for general panic disorder. Right when I feel a panic attack coming on I take 0.5mg- very small amount. It kills the panic attack in 15-20 minutes and I feel incredibly relaxed for hours. Only side effect was slight drowsiness but it was not bad at all- even useful if I was trying to go to bed. Highly recommend."

• Adczyk
• December 17, 2015

"I use Ativan when I experience a panic attack at the time of going to bed or when I wake up with one. I only use a quarter of a 2.5 mg. and it seems to calm me down enough to sleep. I only use it occasionally namely once in about a two week period when something happens in my life which stresses me out and causes the panic attack. It also calms me down and brings down my BP since I have a over reactive BP spike whenever I have a panic attack. It's a God sent for me :) Because of the small dosage, I never have an unwanted side effect...feel refreshed in the morning."

• MyFig...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 7, 2017

"Ativan 0.5 mg as needed for panic attacks. Not good for longterm use in my opinion because you will always need more, body will tolerate the dose and need more for same calming effect but its a short-acting med for anxiety and panic attacks and working wonderfully for me for years. I have bipolar 2 with rapid mood cycling and bad PMS symptoms and its a blessing when I do need it. I never take more than 1 mg at one time though because it is a strong drug. Peace. This too shall pass."

• Ronnie
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 27, 2024

"I've suffered some horrific panic attacks. They are extremely unpleasant, my mouth dries up and my whole body starts shaking like crazy, sometimes feeling like I'm falling through the earth. Ativan has gotten me out of all those panic attacks. Another time I was rushed to the hospital for a drug-induced panic attack, it was the worst feeling of my life. Ativan got me out of that as well. It doesn't cause me any side effects, surprising because I usually experience side effects with everything. Thank you!"

• ptere...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 21, 2023

"This drug, I believe, saved my life when I was going through the darkest period of panic attacks I ever had. I was on 0.5mg as needed. What I will say is, it's not a cure-all for anxiety in general. I still had 'anxiety' while taking it. It didn't drift me off into warm cozy la-la land like anesthesia drugs do, but it did allow me to calm down and fall asleep when I needed to. I will never leave home without it as an emergency drug for future panic attacks. In smaller dosages, I also took it with CBD oil before social interactions and it just made me feel somewhat normal while sitting around with friends, talking. Whereas, if I didn't take it at all, I would start getting uncomfortable after about 5 minutes and make an excuse that I had to leave."

• Anony...
• June 6, 2011

"Potent medication. What makes this medicine so useful for panic/bad anxiety is that you can dissolve it under your tongue in case you need to get the anti-anxiety/panic effect quickly. It tastes "sugary". A tip my doctor told me about. Same for Klonopin. Very effective medicine."

• shaner
• June 1, 2015

"Honestly, I have been taking ativan for 2 years now 1mg twice daily. It does help but it should be used as a tool for panic attacks NOT A SOLUTION. I have tried so many anti-depressants as well such as cymbalta, cipralex and a couple more. The best thing is to talk to close friends and family or even a psychiatrist. talking to people and venting is honestly the best thing you can do for yourself even though it takes a lot of will power to do it. I would love to hear other people opinion."

• jtr
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2017

"I began having panic attacks in the middle of the night a few months ago and my doctor prescribed 0.5 mg of Ativan to take as needed. He told me it was fast-acting and would be out of my system in 6 hours. The first time I took it, my panic stopped in about 15 minutes. It was like someone turned the faucet off, just completely gone. I was able to get to sleep without problem for the first time in weeks. I did notice that it becomes considerably less effective if I take it more than 1-2 times in a week, so I try to do everything I can to calm down before reaching for the bottle. Currently starting Zoloft to help with underlying issues (have been on and off it before) and I keep this handy for any random anxiety spikes while my body adjusts."

• Mic
• June 24, 2020

"Medication works great and how it is supposed to. I was on generic lorazepam and would find the quality would differ based on manufacturer and it wouldn’t affect me. After switching to brand the effects are more consistent and it seems so much more potent. It was a fight getting my insurance to completely cover it but it was worth it. 0.5mg and I’m so tired and don’t have any anxiety to worry about. Calms my panic and helps with nausea quite a bit."

• mareb
• February 23, 2013

"My experience with a serious panic attack was thought to be the onset of a heart attack. I was monitored, had lab work, even x-rays. No heart attack, my heart was found to be totally clean of blockages. So the doctors conferred that I was indeed having a full scale panic attack. I was given a single 1 mg pill of Ativan. within minutes i was calmer, breathing returned to slow and regular, i felt warmer, and secure, clear headed yet a little sleepy. the other med i take is one 75 mg Effexor XR nightly, and a single capsule of raw thyroid nightly i do take a vitamin and mineral supplement when i think to. the Ativan prescription was issued for short term and serious times of panic only. it was recommended i receive counsel, as well."

• cloud...
• December 27, 2011

"I have had panic disorder for 19 years. It started with "status panicus" (continual panic), which was treated by a year of imipramine. When that was tapered off, I switched to concentrated EPA Omega-3 oil, which has controlled the panic for 18 years. But, it sometimes breaks through, especially when I am building up antibodies to an infection. That is when Tofranil (lorazepam) comes to my rescue. A 0.5 mg dose will quell the aura/breakthrough symptoms. A similar dose at bedtime will get me the crucial night of sound sleep that I need to get the disorder back into its cage. Sometimes one good night is all I need to get back on track - a life saver."

• JayneC
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2014

"Ostensibly prescribed for Menieres and vertigo, it had a huge impact on my panic episodes and anxiety, only slightly less effective than Xanax, but slightly longer lasting. Also was a smooth, warm feeling taking it. The downside after a months use, after a week of nothing, the nausea and vomiting kicked in heavy, so I shy away from this one... That time delay of withdrawal was awkward in public places. Still, if I were to ask for an adjuvant, I'd pick Ativan over the more powerful Xanax."