I'm not sure about the Xanax, I've never been on it. You may want to ask your Dr.
The Ativan Sublingual, is placed under my tongue and it disolves. It takes abt. 20-30 min. to start working and is a temporary fix, until my meds start to work well.
Reg. Ativan or Lorazapam, that is swallowed takes abt. an hour to work.
You know, if your feeling that bad your really need to go and see your Dr. ASAP. I have found that talking to my Dr. helps. You need to let him know that what your taking isn't working. Don't be scared to tell him you think your losing it. Is he your family Phys. if so, you may need to see a Psychiatrist. You need to let him know that you don't want a quick fix with meds, that you want to really treat this disorder with Counseling, CBT, whatever you and he decide is best. But at this point the goal would be to get you feeling well enough to focus on your recovery.
That is the plan that my Dr.'s and I have arranged and it snapped me out of depression and gave me the will to try and help myself.
You won't go crazy.....no one with Panic does.
You may need to read some books on the subject. Knowledge really is power, and it can give you the confidence to start helping yourself.
Feeling Good and The Feeling Good Workbook are by David Burns. Don't Panic by David Wilson and From Panic to Power from Lucinda Bassett may help you out.
Remember the more you think about the anxiety and negative thoughts, the more they will likely occur.
I've only been feeling better for a few weeks, so I can only suggest what has worked for me.