"lexapro (which is called cipralex here in canada) was what they put me on when i first became extremely anxious (after trying talk therapy and ativan when needed). it ko&#039;d my anxiety extremely well (alongside continued therapy). not only my acute anxiety that was causing panic attacks and made me unable to leave the house was handled, but the social anxiety i&#039;ve lived with all my life. however, it caused me to gain a significant amount of weight, my emotions were somewhat blunted, and for the first few months i was on it, i would get quite sleepy in the morning. it did stop working for me after about 2.5 years, but as short-term anxiety treatment it served me well."