"i had a great experience with ativan.  it does a great job of heading off a panic attack when you feel one coming on.  it works very quickly (5 minutes or less).  it doesn&#039;t make you feel drunk or high, but more just kind of relaxed and mellow (a bit sleepy).  i took a very low dose, as needed, and it&#039;s just nice to have something in case i need it, that wasn&#039;t real addictive or habit forming.  like having a spare tire.  you don&#039;t have to use it very often, but it&#039;s comforting knowing you have one, and it will get you through.  i didn&#039;t notice any side effects at all to be honest, except for feeling sleepy when i took it sometimes, but that&#039;s not always a bad thing."