Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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Ativan for Anger

DJfromColorado
DJfromColorado
I have issues with anxiety and occasionly with anger, Right now life is crap and too stress full. I blew up at a 16 year old today, not cool, and thinking instead of taking ativan when I have a major panic attack take it on a regular basis to keep me near base line. My new doctor gave me plenty of refils, last one didn't so i rationed them.

Any thoughts?
benb28
benb28
I take Ativan on an as-needed basis, which means I wait til I feel some anxiety before I pop one. If one doesn't cut it after a few hours I take another.
BUT
sometimes when I know I have a stressful situation coming that day, I take one in the morning as a prevention, knowing I can still take more later.
My prescription says maximum of 3 mg per day. It can be habit-forming, so keep that in mind.
You're lucky to have refills: Ativan is a controlled substance in NY, so no refills allowed and the pharmacy reports the filled prescription to the state. Doc has to write me a new script whenever I run out.
It takes Ativan anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour to work, so that favors taking it early as a prevention before the panic hits.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I would be really careful with that only because it is habit forming. You should talk to your doctor about it and maybe they can suggest some other coping mechanisms for when you start to feel immense anger. Or, you may need something to take daily during exceptionally stressfull times in your life. Do you have a therapist that you can talk to? Sometimes that makes all the difference.

Good luck!
deleted_user
deleted_user
My anxiety manifests itself in two ways. I either have a panic attack or I get really, really agitated and angry. I take Alprozolam as needed for my panic attacks and I also take it when I'm feeling agitated and angry. I would not take the Ativan like a regular medication. Become constantly aware of how you are feeling and take the Ativan when you're starting to feel agitated or angry.

You may wish to speak with your doctor about other maintenance prescriptions, like antidepressants that may take the edge off. Seeing a psychologist or counselor may also be helpful to give you strategies to deal with the stress and anger. Anyways, be proactive in dealing with this and I wish you the best of luck.
mystie
mystie
For anger usually the antipsychotics work well. For my anger, rages and anxiety I take Seroquel and if I miss a dose it isn't usually very good.
Ativan is good for anxiety and I wouldn't worry about people saying it is addictive. Many antidepressant are addictive. Paxil is a complete nightmare to get off of and the side effects are just as bad if not worse to a benzodiazepine.