Honestly, it just depends on the doctor. My doctor never really prescribed me something like that either. One day, though, he brought in a student doctor (not sure what they're called, but he was trying out patient interviews and the like.) He really listened, and I think it helped that I was at least somewhat knowledgeable about the drugs I was prescribed at the time. I mentioned clonazepam to him, and he went outside, talked to my doctor, and the doctor approved it. That was after about maybe a year or two of him trying to treat my anxiety. But I have a good relationship with him and some disorders. Older doctors tend to like benzos more than the younger ones from personal experience.
You could probably tell them your history of trying meds that didn't work, list them off and the like. But I think the most important thing is building rapport with them. Have a few more visits maybe before you bring it up. Your best bet would be unfortunately just waiting a bit for them to trial you on different medications, because they usually don't go straight to benzodiazepines. Then mention some kind of side effect or something that's affecting anything important in your life. You can't sleep, you're constantly nauseous, whatever sounds worse. Oh, and I started full on crying in front of my doc once about and because of my anxiety. That probably helped. The safest thing to do would be like the others said up this thread, just guide them towards it, but that takes time. I was lucky.
But yeah, after those first few appointments, and after they throw more pills at you, you could probably mention that Ativan worked for you some time ago and that these aren't working. Maybe mispronounce the name a little. Whatever you think is best.
Oh, and it helps if you're prescribed something else like an SSRI or SNRI with it too. You don't have to take it, just be prescribed it. I think that makes them understand more that "ok, this SSRI/SNRI isn't enough"
