[neutrino]

I have an oral presentation in two weeks and I'm already so anxious I want to cry. So far I've contemplated drinking before the presentation, simply not showing up and dropping out of university. I can't do this.

I was prescribed beta blockers for oral presentations about a year ago. I take the maximum dose (the highest dose my doctor said I'm allowed to take) but it still doesn't help as much as I'd like it to. Last time I had to present I felt like the beta blockers completely failed me. This presentation is bigger than the last one and it's in English (English isn't my first language), which makes it even worse. Much worse.

What do I do? Are there any other kinds of medication I could try? Something to take just before a presentation that would calm me down but still keep my head clear enough to go through with the presentation?

Thanks.

[CosmicRose]

Go to your professor and tell him/her that you suffer from anxiety and if it's possible to do the presentation in front of him/her during lunch or after class. If he/she says no, then go to your doctor and ask for fast acting anxiety meds for this particular occasion, explain to your doctor about the presentation and you need something for anxiety for that day, usually they will give you a fast acting anxiety pill. You have a few options, so don't drop out. Taking your time with a presentation also helps, rushing through something just builds the anxiety so remember to take all the time you need and breathe and pause. Beta blockers don't act fast, they are a kind of medication that needs to build up in your system and they don't necessarily work for individual moments of stress. Valium does, that's one that comes to mind. Valium is the pill that lots of people take right before a plane ride because they're nervous and because it's fast acting.

[MarleyCat]

I agree with CosmicRose - try talking to your prof. Some of them can be extremely kind and caring and I bet they would understand. Plenty of people struggle with anxiety so im sure they have come across this before.

If the presentation is necessary I always found it helpful to write out a script word for word about what you want to say. That way if you get flustered and panic you can always go back to that script.

I dont know much about medication but I hope you can work something out with either your doctor or you prof. Good luck with everything

[Yoda]

If your doc does decide to give you some meds to help calm your anxiety be sure to do a practice run or two with the new med to see how long it takes to kick in and if it has any adverse effects on your memory or speaking.

I know power point is the thing now but when I was giving presentations at work I made notes for the overhead projector. It gave the audience something to look at besides me and it helped keep me on track about where I was going in the presentation. If appropriate you might also pass notes and suggestions for further resources and stuff depending on how much content you are covering. Again it helps to give them something to look at besides you.

I think it would be entirely appropriate to let your audience know that English is not your first language.