I used to have a panic disorder and yes, what you describe certainly do sound like sort of "mini" panic attacks. Pounding heart, dizziness, can't think straight. I used to call it being disoriented, "head detaches from body" meaning I couldn't make my body do what I wanted it to do, only to say that i felt out of control of my reflexes.

The only other thing that occurrs to me is, do you possibly think that any of this is any type of siezure disorder? Did any of your doctors think that was a possibility? I doubt it, myself, but just wanted too throw it out there.

The ativan should help a lot. Please, be aware that ativan is one of the most addictive benzodiazapams out there. So follow your doctor's recommendations strictly. It will work very well for you. I did take it for quite a while and had no trouble stopping it because I never took more than I was supposed to. If I remember correctly (this was twenty years ago) I believe I took .5mg at a time. Maybe twice a day at most. But really not sure. I do remember breaking the tabs in half.

Best of luck to you. I hope you feel better soon.

PS: Oh, and anxiety frequently accompanies depression.