Brief Answer:
Benzodiazepines have undesirable side effects

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing to us,

Benzodiazepines like Ativan in case of Panic attack is given only for short term treatment and is not advisable for a long duration. The drugs have certain properties that render it unsuitable for long term management. Most importantly, it has properties of dependence, which means that if you take it regularly, on sudden stoppage, it tends to produce withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, increased anxiety, restlessness, irritability etc., which would always require the drug to keep it under control, which then becomes a vicious cycle. It also has properties of tolerance, which means that more and more doses of drugs become necessary to get the same desired effect of the drug. Hence it is not used regularly. There are many other safer options for a long term treatment i.e. anti-anxiety drugs like Paroxetine, Sertraline, Fluoxetine etc. which can be used to control symptoms. These medications may take up to two weeks to act, but in the longer run, they are safer and the better option.

I do agree that your symptoms are quite severe but they can be controlled by safer drugs. Currently, if you are suffering from withdrawal symptoms from stopping Ativan, there are ways of detoxification, in other words, there are ways of relieving your symptoms. Kindly consult an experienced psychiatrist for both these problems. You will need an acute management for detoxification from Benzodiazepines and also need to be started on anti-anxiety medications for the panic attacks.

Visit a psychiatrist at the earliest.

Hope this helps,

Dr A Rao

---