Xanax does as well. It's actually why I switched to Ativan. I hardly use it and when I do, it's literally a quarter of a 0.5mg pill. And I've been fine with it for the couple years I've been prescribed it now. But for the past few months or so, whenever I take it, it makes me anxious. My panic attacks are pretty nonexistent these days so I usually take them when I can't sleep but maybe it's the association with the physical sensations caused my Ativan that make my brain go, "oh? Word? This is the panic drug so I guess I should panic?"

It's not full-blown panic, though. I have the skills to coach myself through it and prevent it from escalating to that level. And I do usually get to sleep within the hour. But man, how frustrating it is to feel like what used to be my lifeline, my guaranteed one-way ticket out of panic to turn into just another thing to make my brain upset.

Anyone else experience this? Or theories as to why this happens? Alternate suggestions for a get out of jail free card for panic attacks would be great, too, even if they're not an active problem right now.