You are so smart to investigate this drug. Although I have not taken it, I have witnessed a growing dependency on it in people that I know that do. While it might be helpful in the short term, I would be cautious of addiction.
My sister has taken Paxil daily for years and her doctor also prescribed ativan "as needed" for extreme anxiety. It has been helpful in these cases for her, but more and more she mentions that with each problem at work, etc. she "had to take an ativan to cope".
This is also happening with a friend of mine who had it prescribed about two months ago when she was hospitalized for depression. While I saw how the ativan really helped her to cope short term for her depression, I don't think it is a good idea for the long run. Lately I have been hearing daily descriptions of how she "just had to take an ativan to cope." She tried to stop about a week ago, but took it again yesterday. And, yes, she used to take a half a pill, now takes a whole one, so your doctor is right about having to take a larger and larger dosage to get results as a sign of addiction.
On the other hand, Ativan has been around for awile, and I am sure that it has been a helpful drug for some and that someone who has actually taken the drug might be more helpful here, but I just thought I would tell you what I have observed, for your consideration.
Kathryn
hmm....ativan 
