I started on .5mg of Ativan up to 3 times a day. I then went to just .5mg at bedtime and .5mg prn. I am now on 1mg at bedtime to help my brain slow down. When I was in "crisis" mode, I found that the Ativan did work to calm me down to a functioning level. It never took the whole anxiety away, but I could at least in touch with the world. I would ask you GP if they would dispense it, some won't because it is a benzo and they don't want you to become addicted. I hope you feel more in control soon.