I have taken all three. I am not an expert but I beleive the lorazepam is a form of valium. Years ago when I first began having panic attacks, I was put on xanax, that helps the immediate attacks but in the long run, it wasn't that great, too much of an up and down feeling. It doesn't last that long in your system. I have changed doctors and am taking valium-a very low dose which has helped me so much more, it is more of an even feeling throughout the day. The Lexapro is an anti-depressant with an anti-anxiety component. This is how it was all explained to me. I continue to take the Lexapro and the valium. This has been the best combination for me and I feel so much better. Sometimes it does take a few tries to get the best medications for you but hang in there, it will get better.

I'm on lexapro. emma12 is right about what it is. It helps a lot with my anxiety but doesn't totally take it away.

p.s. My Dr. also said that Lexapro is an anti-depressant and anti-anxiety. My drug and alcohol counsellor said that Xanax was addicting because it produces dopamine (the feel good chemical in the brain), so maybe this will be a really good thing for you. My Dr. also said that Lexapro CAN make me manic, which is why I'm not on it, but I did ask for it.

For me Lexapro helps to take the 'edge' off of the anxiety to make me able to function...but it doesn't take it completely away. After 5 weeks I'm much better with it than without it...my worry is how long will it continue to last? And will I have to increase my dose?

I am going to ask my doctor tomorrow but since I've been takign 5mg of Lexapro in the morning, I have been having full blown panic attacks. I take 1mg of Xanax in the morning then every 6 hours, which seems to have helped today (compared to yesterday when I called 911!!!). I think my main problem is that I have a fear of taking pills and I've pysched myself up with Lexapro but I have heard wonderful things about it that's why I suggested it to my Dr. because it helps with depression and GAD.

I used to work myself up too...took my 6 tries to finally take the pill. I'd get it in my hand - start to take it and put it back in the bottle... Then I started working myself up 'after' I took it thinking I was going to start wacking out...
But...gradually I started to see the light...

I tried Lexapro and it made me super crazy. super duper crazy. I was just feeling anxious all the time and my doc thought it might help. As soon as I started taking it I felt paranoid all the time and had a panic attack. Seems like that was the catalyst that really made my anxiety worse. I know they all work differently for different people but that really did more harm than good for me. I now take lorazepam as needed. Just makes me calm...and only when I need it.

my dr started me on lexapro for about a 9 month stint and it really helped w/my anxiety and panic attacks. i stopped having the attacks, but i still felt anxiety, however, i felt like i could cope w/it. after the 9 months he slowly took me off of it and i've been off for about a yr and my anxiety is back!

lorazepam and xanax are addictive and are CNS depressors. Lexapro is a SRRI, serotonin reuptake inhibitor, and it is also supposed to help with anxiety. I've been on 40 mg of Lexapro for about 3 years and klonopin. The main thing Lexapro will do is not get you addicted, but for me the benzos work the best. Give it a chance.

The Lexapro..isnt habit forming like Xanax are...you cna get adictted to those.

I am on Lexapro and could tell a difference in a week. I mean I used to have anxiety everyday, and i couldnt even sleep bc of it.
So I was put on Lexapro and she gave me ativan....in case I was having a bad day and had some anxiety. Which I do still sometimes but not everyday more like once everyother week. So when that happens I only take half of a ativan and I am okay. This has really seemed to work for me. hope I helped

Ativan like Xanax is a benzodiazapine. Same class of drug and also addictive if not used properly. Both of these drugs are very helpful when dealing with anxiety/panic. The goal is to not have to rely on any type of benzo and control the symptoms with an anti-depressant, i.e., Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac....

The difference is Lexapro actually works to alter the state of anxiety on a permanent basis where as the Xanax is used to combat anxiety on a temporary basis. Xanax and the like are supposed to only be used in cases of extreme anxiety/panic or when switching antidepressant medication. The reason it is addictive is because it is fast-acting. They do not last in the system as an antidepressant does and when you stop taking them they are no longer effective. Even if you missed a dose or two of Lexapro it will still remain in your system depending on the half life.

Personally I can't stand any benzo. The only one I can tolerate is Klonopin which I don't like taking because it makes me tired and I don't feel alert which I dislike. The sooner my antidepressant kicks in - the better for me.

The Lexapro is for long term use. The Xanax is used "temporarily" and sometimes used before the Lexapro starts working. The Lexapro takes about 6 weeks to fully get into your system. I'm on 10 mg of it. If you go on it make sure you follow the doctors orders. I had side effects but they went away after 2 weeks. Everyone is different. Good luck to you.

Doctors do not put you on two of the same classes of anxiety meds. I have never heard of any Doctor's putting you on both, it is either one or the other anxiety meds. They are a controlled substance and have to be monitored. The Doctor needs to pick one of the anxiety meds and stick to one. I don't know much about Lexapro, all I know is that is for Depression.

Lexapro left me in constant worry. I was very paranoid on it. My friends have also been on it and had very bad side effects.