The short answer to this is simply ‘yes’. Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan) & alprazolam (Xanax) do an excellent job of supressing anxiety, but it is still possible to feel anxious after taking them at a therapeutic dose, albeit less so than without taking them. At high, dangerous & intoxicating doses, anxiety is not something you feel, and this is just one thing that makes benzos dangerous.

At high doses, they can cause a person to lose all their inhibitions, leading them to do things they wouldn't normally do. Also, after taking benzos such as Ativan & Xanax, a person can often experience ‘rebound anxiety’, where the anxiety you felt before taking the drugs comes back after you stop taking them, but it comes back worse. It's a very slippery slope to be on.

I was on numerous benzos over a period of about 14 years. My anxiety now I'm benzo free is sky high, but it's much better to deal with anxiety in other, healthy ways (meditation, exercise etc) than to use benzos as a bandage. The grief that Benzodiazepines such as Ativan & Xanax cause in the long run, such as addiction & withdrawal, is not to be underestimated.

At first glance, it seems counterintuitive: medications meant to reduce anxiety may sometimes trigger or worsen it. But for some individuals, benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan) can induce a paradoxical reaction — literally the opposite of expected effects. That may include heightened anxiety, agitation, even aggression or panic 

Rebound Anxiety & Withdrawal

Long-term or frequent use often leads to tolerance and physical dependence . When the medication wears off, or especially if it's stopped suddenly, users can experience rebound anxiety — a surge or return of anxiety, often stronger than before .

This is part of a broader withdrawal syndrome associated with benzodiazepines, including symptoms like irritability, panic attacks, tremors, insomnia, and ongoing anxiety. This acute phase can last days to weeks, with some experiencing persistent symptoms for months or more 

Real Experiences from Users

From public forums and patient reports:

“Alprazolam … made my anxiety worse. And when I decided to stop taking it … I felt disabled until I began to take them again.” 

“I took an ativan … woke up … with the worst feeling imaginable … It took a week for that anxiety feeling to dissipate.” 

“These medications … instead of calming me … they induce an EXTREME anxiety attack … I was convinced I’m dying.” 

Why Does This Happen?

1. Neurochemical adaptation: Benzodiazepines enhance GABA, calming the nervous system. But prolonged exposure alters receptor sensitivity, prompting excessive nervous activity once the drug fades.
2. Withdrawal/Rebound effects: As levels drop, the GABA system underperforms and anxiety symptoms can overshoot baseline levels .
3. Paradoxical reactions: About a minority of users have the opposite reaction—acute anxiety, aggression, disinhibition—sometimes dose-related 

How Common Is This?

• Paradoxical reactions are relatively rare, but they can be intense and distressing when they happen .
• Withdrawal symptoms can appear even after 1 month of regular use; protracted symptoms may linger up to a year.

What To Watch For

• Unexpected increases in anxiety after dose or between doses
• Panic or agitation rather than relief
• Worsening anxiety upon tapering or stopping
• Accompanying symptoms: insomnia, tremors, racing heart, irritability, even hypervigilance

Strategies to Prevent or Manage Anxiety from Benzos

1. Taper slowly, with medical supervision—reducing dose by ~5–10% every 2–4 weeks 
2. Consider long‑acting alternatives (like diazepam) to smooth fluctuations and ease tapering .
3. Explore non‑benzo treatments (SSRIs, SNRIs, therapy, mindfulness) for longer-term anxiety management.
4. Use coping tools like meditation, deep breathing, exercise, yoga, and therapy to support mental health during withdrawal or dosing changes .
5. Get professional help: psychiatrists, therapists, or taper support groups can provide structured care and monitoring.