"i am 28 years old and have been taking ativan for 7 years now for anxiety and panic attacks. i started at 0.5 mg at bedtime, and over the years have needed constant increases. i am now taking 2 mg three times a day. the pill does it&#039;s job, but if i am even a hour late taking it (from when i usually do) i start developing severe mood swings, agitation, anxiety, total feeling like i am going crazy. i take the pill, and in about a hour i am feeling normal again. this has caused alot of stress in my relationship. my wife knows exactly when i need my pill, and even my oldest son started saying &quot;i think daddy needs his pill&quot; i have tried to taper in the past but the withdrawal side effects were bad. i hope one day to come off this drug."