Maggie,
When my anxiety was at its worst I was prescribed ativan. I took it and still felt extremely anxious and still couldn't sleep. Then I took it the next morning and afternoon and was still on edge. It wasn't until my fourth or fifth dose that I actually felt calm and settled down. Then I took it for about a week, three times a day, and it helped reset my system because I stopped after that and only took it when I was really on edge or unable to sleep and it seemed to work for me each time. However, I recall a very bad panic attack several months ago where I woke up and instantly started to panic. I had to go to class so I took an ativan and went to class but I was still panicking and it didn't calm me down at all, I just felt extremely anxious and out of it, like I was high or something. You may just have extreme anxiety right now and your ativan may not be enough, even if it has been in the past. I would suggest telling your doctor to see what he thinks. But for now just try to do breathing exercises, relax, do something to get your mind off of it like doing dishes or cleaning the house or something like that, whatever is to your liking. I usually clean when I am anxious to just get my mind off of it and burn off some of the adrenaline. I hope this helps you and remember that you aren't going to lose it, you aren't going crazy, and that it is just severe anxiety that is causing you to feel the way you do. It'll get better.
~Isabella~
