"i suffer from ptsd, depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. i previously took xanax, but it was too short acting for me. i needed a benzodiazepine that was longer acting, since my anxiety goes on for a long time. i like that ativan lasts 6-8 hours, in which i need for times of long time anxiousness. however i have realized that smoking cigarettes lessens the effectiveness of benzodiazepines, so i will have to work around that. anyway, ativan is great for people like me who have anxiety and panic attacks."