Lorazepam can be helpful for short-term relief of acute anxiety or panic symptoms, as it works quickly to calm the nervous system. It belongs to the benzodiazepine class and typically starts working within 30–60 minutes, which makes it useful for severe episodes of anxiety or situational stress. However, it is generally not used as a first-line long-term treatment because of risks of sedation, tolerance, and dependence. For most patients, it is best used sparingly or short-term, often while waiting for longer-acting treatments like SSRIs or therapy to take effect.