Ativan for Anxiety User Reviews

• dys...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 9, 2015

"I take 6mg Ativan a day and will do for life. It saved my life. There is nothing else to match a benzodiazepine if your anxiety is off the scale. Yes, you get tolerant, but what else is there out there? NOTHING works in 20 minutes like Ativan. I am 67 and not going to worry myself with addiction and withdrawal. What would I withdraw to? There is nothing out there. I have taken Ativan for 40 years, and I am alive. I don't think I would be without it."

• Jen...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 18, 2020

"This is a wonderful drug but should not be taken daily. I get ten pills per month. I take them when I have a bad bout of anxiety or insomnia, etc. It resets me and stops the panic attack cascade that can happen from nights of insomnia. It parts the waves and allows me to pass through the difficulty. It can make you a little emotional after you stop if you take it a few days. I would not take it more than two or three consecutive days. It can be addictive. It can cause a little forgetfulness. For the most part, I felt totally normal. It doesn't have a weird effect, it just takes away the gross fear. I've been taking 0.5-1mg several times per month for 5 years. I average 10 pills per month and have no issue stopping cold turkey. Benzos can be difficult to get off if you take them too frequently so beware."

• Hon...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 25, 2020

"I have been on Ativan 1mg for almost three years now and whenever I’m super angry, anxious, jumpy, it works wonders. For the past week, I’ve been crying uncontrollably because of certain things going on, and when people don’t show me any concern or comfort me, I get irrationally angry and even chased my little sister for showing no sympathy. I’m a 23-year-old woman, and she’s a 16-year-old girl, so she’s got her own problems. I immediately took an Ativan, and within 20 minutes, they kicked in perfectly. I didn’t have an urge to cry anymore, I felt calm and relaxed, and kind of high, and had a rational thought process. This is what effects Ativan usually has on me, and sometimes I feel goofy and laugh at the most random things. But regardless, I ❤️ This drug and couldn’t ask for better. I’ve been on clonazepam, that’s ok, but not as good as Ativan, and I’ve been on Xanax once at the hospital, but that made me even more anxious, and my muscles jerked. I love Ativan so much"

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2019

"I had a health issue that started my panic attacks for two months. Started taking 1/2 Xanax and continued having panic attacks. After seeing the Dr. she gave me two 1 mg. of Ativan. In 15 minutes or so, I was so calm and relaxed! Ativan really makes you very comfortable fast! I love that! Started on Zoloft for a long-term fix. Now on 50 mgs a day. Wanting to get off both Ativan and Zoloft, I researched homeopathic options and found that L-theanine and Ashwagandha and Magnesium all have amazing reviews. So I’m going to try the combination of the three. Will be receiving the L-theanine and Magnesium today. I will update as soon as I see results! Hopefully will wean off of Zoloft and Ativan! God bless anyone who suffers!"

• Ink...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 25, 2019

"I’ve been taking Ativan on and off for the past 9 years. Started on 0.5 mg, moved up to 1 mg per day as needed. I’ve heard and read about addiction horror stories, but I’ve personally never had to up my dose (except going from 0.5 to 1 mg) and haven’t had the urge to take more than prescribed. I suffer from major depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Ativan helps my anxiety immensely. Especially useful for full-blown panic attacks - within half an hour I feel normal again. At first it made me sleepy, but as my body got used to it, that side effect went away. There was a time when I was having debilitating anxiety on a daily basis, and my pdoc advised me that I could take up to 4 mg per day. Thankfully, I haven’t had the need to take that much. Overall, Ativan is a great medicine. I could go days without taking it with no adverse effects (i.e. withdrawal). This medicine works well for me. Good luck!!"

• Spe...
• August 8, 2019

"Lost my husband suddenly right next to me of a stroke during the night. It was a shock. I have PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Use Ativan in tiny dose to sleep. Do wake up very drowsy and super sensitive to meds. Can be addictive but not for me. Calms me while grieving."

• Mni...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 5, 2020

"Has gotten me through many sleepless nights and panic attacks. I only take it if I absolutely need to, to help me at night time when my anxiety is at its worst and only a dose of 0.5 mg. It almost always makes me sleepy and helps me sleep, and normally I don't feel too groggy the next day."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2024

"I've had horrendous anxiety for over 10 years, and nothing truly seemed to help. I've been on benzos and such. Ativan was SUCH a relief for my brain, which is usually very chaotic, constantly replaying bad memories, and just having absolutely no control. I was just exhausted. Ativan stopped those bad thoughts, gave me control of my brain, and stopped the chaos, it was miraculous. Remember, people are always more likely to write a bad review than a good one. Give it a try, it could change your life."

• Dal...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 3, 2020

"I've been on this medication since 2018 and it works wonders for my anxiety. The first time I took it was when I was having an anxiety attack in the mall when it was really crowded. I usually take 1mg along with drinking juice, water, or even soda, never grape juice. The effects kick in between 45 min and 2 hours and I feel extremely calm, happy, silly, and even loopy. I wish the effects lasted longer than 8 hrs though, but I still love this drug regardless."

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

"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."

• Boh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2021

"Well, I got an intense anxiety attack at 2 am and somehow went through it that very unfortunate night. But the following morning I got my hands on Ativan, and when the anxiety kicked in again, I popped 1mg Ativan, and it kicked in within an hour, gradually getting stronger. My heart rate slowed down, which made me feel a lot better, 'cause I thought I was going to have a heart attack during my first anxiety attack. It made my mind calmer, and it put me off to sleep very peacefully, only to wake up the next morning all fresh. I love Ativan because it really helps me with my anxiety attacks. I have a racing thoughts issue, and it solves it too. I have been on it for a month, and I quit it cold turkey when I went back home, but I didn't face any major withdrawal symptoms either. Thanks, Ativan!"

• Ali...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 15, 2023

"I’ve been taking Ativan on and off for almost 5 years for GAD. This year, I was going through Lexapro withdrawal, which emerged 90 days after I weaned myself off. Getting back on it was worse for the first few days. I now understand why people are terrified to stop taking SSRIs. I am strict with myself in not taking Ativan often because of how addictive it is, even when my doctor prescribed me 30 pills. I went to the pharmacy to see if they could help me, and the pharmacist was amazing and explained to me that taking .5 or 1 mg of Ativan isn’t addictive (just that it’ll lose its effect over time). She told me to take it every day for the next week, and it was a lifesaver. I had already been taking .5-1 mg of Ativan every day for a few weeks, give or take a good day or two. But when I stopped taking it after the last week ended (totaling a month), I was fine. It helped me be normal again while my body sorted itself out. I now take it once a week or two."

• Hsa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2019

"This is by far the scariest experience I have EVER had with a drug. Ativan immediately took the anxiety away but the after effects were horrible. I took it intermittently for 2 weeks and then noticed when I didn't take it consistently my anxiety was 100 percent worse. I was crawling out of my skin and so irritable. I also had uncontrollable muscle shaking and memory problems. This drug is very dangerous for some people. I'll stick to cognitive behavioral therapy."

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

"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."

• len...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2014

"Long story short, I am terrified of medication. The first time I took Ativan, I had already got myself all worked up about having to take it, that when I did, I went into full-blown panic attack. It was not because of this med, it was my own doing. The second and third time I took it, it worked well. It allowed me to get through the entire day like myself again. It even took the depression away that I have caused from anxiety. I have only taken it 3 times in the last month since I was prescribed it. Since I've read how addicting this can be, I have been very careful about taking it only when I really need it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2014

"I suffer from severe anxiety and panic attacks that happen unexpectedly. I am also taking an SSRI with the Ativan, but the Ativan is on an as-needed basis and has helped tremendously. The tightness in my chest is relieved, and the irregular heartbeat slows down. Anxiety and panic are very scary things to experience, and Ativan has helped me get through those tough times. I would absolutely recommend it."

• Jay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 13, 2020

"Safe and effective medication as long as you do not become dependent on it. PLEASE avoid getting hooked on this medication as it is a benzo, and withdrawal from benzos can be deadly. Has helped me manage severe panic attacks due to anxiety, depression, and OCD. I take 0.5 mg if I am having a severe panic attack, and it immediately helps take the edge off."

• use...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 10, 2013

"I have been taking Ativan for the past 28 years! Initially, it was 0.5mg 2/3 times a day for a few months. Later, 0.5mg twice a day for about 2/3 years. Then once a day for 5/6 years. Since then, I regularly take 0.75mg once a day in the morning during all these years. I have never exceeded the dosage, and I am able to skip the tablet on many Sundays when I don't need to go out or do stressful things. I am sure I will be able to stop taking the medicine when I want, but as the dosage is small, I have made it a habit to pop 3/4th of a 1mg pill daily before I start to the office. Side effects - I am unable to distinguish as I am 61 years now and have formed some forgetfulness and some usual age-related minor personal problems. Ativan is a great medicine!"

• maz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2016

"This drug has saved my life. I take 1 mg twice daily. I have severe anxiety and panic disorder that leads me to never leaving the house because I'm scared of everything. This drug dug me out of a deep anxiety phase that was leading to very serious depression. I was scared to tell my doctor that I was going to kill myself if they didn't find something that worked. I tried about 14 other meds with little to no success. Before my doctor said I'm going to try you on Ativan and see how it helps with my drug history, this was a last choice kind of thing. He warned me about the potential for abuse and addiction. I'm aware of it and I never abuse the drug. I've been using Ativan for 2-3 months now and I'm finally back into the work force, finally able to drive again."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 21, 2019

"The doctor gave me Ativan for treating bad anxiety/panic attacks. I just take 1/2 of a 1mg pill when I’m experiencing a panic attack. The doctor was very reluctant to prescribe it as it is a benzo, but in my opinion, it is 100% better than the long-term stuff which just completely messed up my moods and made me depressed, which I never was before. I keep the Ativan with me, and if I start to feel a bad attack coming on, I have 1/2 a pill and am completely fine again within 15 mins. It’s been a lifesaver for me as my panic attacks would sometimes last days, and I’d be throwing up, the whole deal. Ativan has really helped. I’ve only had to use it twice in six months, but just knowing it’s there if I need it is great. The only side effect I get is drowsiness, but usually I take it at night anyway, so it’s good. I also get a lot of relief from cognitive behavioral therapy like tapping and meditating."

• Bea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2019

"I have extremely bad anxiety that started at 8 years old when my essential tremor started. It’s a vicious cycle. Shaking causes anxiety, anxiety causes shaking to become more pronounced, and it leaves me in constant fear. Anxiety became so bad recently that I had to go to the ER! I couldn’t even leave the house. Doctor gave me 1mg of Ativan, within 30 minutes, I was calmer than I felt in months. It was SO hard to find a psychiatrist that would prescribe them, but I did, and now I take 0.5mg as needed but literally when needed!! I have 90 pills, but have only needed 1. I force myself through the moderate anxiety as I am terrified of becoming addicted. (I DO NOT have an addictive personality though, never have). Anyways, I find these an absolute lifesaver, and for some reason, just knowing I have them on me calms my anxiety. I 100% recommend ONLY when needed in extreme cases!!! Force yourself through the moderate anxiety."

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

"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."

• Tha...
• September 9, 2015

"This medicine has saved my life on several occasions. I developed physical anxiety issues (severe tingling, losing balance, trouble driving, insomnia, etc) a year after my 3rd child was born. My physician tried several SSRI and tricyclic antidepressants. They all made my symptoms worse. Ativan/Lorazepam helped immediately for all symptoms. In my opinion, it is a miracle and I hate how it is demonized in the media and medical community. When you suffer a month without sleeping hardly at all and can barely function in a normal setting due to crippling physical anxiety symptoms, and something provides relief, you take it. Yes, when you are ready to stop the medicine you have to reduce very slowly over a long period of time. Godsend!"

• len...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2014

"I have only taken my Ativan 3 times in the past month that I have had it. I really try to take it only on the times I can't control my anxiety and cannot work because of it. I am so against taking medication including this one but the second and third time I took it, I was happy I did. It allows me to function and get through the day feeling good. It really does take the edge off and also calms my heart rate, as it usually is always beating faster throughout the day just from being anxious. Even though I still get paranoid about having to take this medication when I really need it, I end up being glad I did. It works! I personally have no side effects either from this med."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2019

"I had been having extreme anxiety and panic attacks for 4 or 5 days and didn’t feel like I could handle them on my own anymore. I went to the ER and they gave me Ativan to calm down. I’m not sure what the dosage was but it was in pill form. At that point I had been crying nonstop for 3 hours as I was very scared and my heart was beating very fast. Within half an hour or so I could feel the medication working as it took the edge off of my anxiety. When I went home, I immediately fell asleep and stayed asleep. I also hadn’t been sleeping well, so that was a relief. It worked really well for me, but I only took it at the ER and haven’t taken it consecutively as a prescription. The only downside was I felt very groggy and foggy the next couple of days, but that could be attributed to exhaustion. Overall, it really helped me a lot."