Anxiety is a common, but often debilitating, condition. More than just worrying, anxiety makes it hard to do the things you once loved. Those with anxiety, especially severe anxiety, may struggle to get to sleep, or to stay asleep. They may ruminate, or think about the same thing over and over. There are many forms of anxiety, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and others. They all have one thing in common, a gripping fear that makes life feel impossible.
Ideally, anxiety is treated through a combination of therapy and medications. There are different classes of anxiety medications and most that are prescribed for long-term use take a few weeks to kick in. Lorazepam, also known as Ativan, is a fast acting anti-anxiety drug. It is often prescribed to ‘bridge the gap’ between diagnosis and the time when other, long-term anxiety treatments take effect.
Who can take Lorazepam?
Lorazepam is used to treat adults; it has not been studied in children, and geriatric patients should use caution because they may be affected differently than younger adults. Lorazepam is not safe for pregnant women, and there is no conclusive evidence whether it is safe during breastfeeding. It’s best to talk to your doctor before use if you plan to breastfeed. Lorazepam can be habit-forming, so it may not be right for someone with who has struggled with addiction in the past. It should only be used as directed by the person it was originally prescribed for, especially considering that it is illegal to share prescriptions.
