Should I ask for medicine to calm my performance anxiety?

Hello. I have moderate social anxiety disorder (generalized) and right now, I am on medication for this problem. The medication is really good, and I have been able to talk to strangers on the medication and I was never able to do that before (yay). But right now, my performance anxiety is still the same. Nothing had changed about it, and I think it's even got worse. Last semester of school, we had to play this band song that my part was playing all these high notes. I felt everyone knew it was me playing, and I would get a panic attack every time we played it. We would play this song at least every other day and it's starting to get to the point that if I step into the room where I used to get many panic attacks that I get panic attacks. Currently, I am not in this program because of the dumb computer system that does our schedules, but I hope to be put back into it. But the thing is, I can't have myself having a panic attack every time I step into the room (everyday). I need to be able to do things and act normal. And I can't do this with my panic attacks every time I get in there. I start to cry now when I have one and I hate crying in public, let alone crying in general.

Anyways, the panic attacks are starting to get out of hand, and I would really love to do this course if I get in, but I don't want my anxiety to get in the way. I really don't want to ask for medication to help with this, but it's getting to the point that I really need it. I won't be able to function in this class and probably fail.

So what are your guys opinions? Should I ask for something to ease the panic attack symptoms? I told my pdoc that my panic attacks are still there in terms of my performance social anxiety even on the medication. And I will need to perform more frequently like before.

Hope to hear your thoughts .

Also, if you think it would be beneficial, what medication has worked for you? What has your experience with the medication been? Has it helped or not?

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Talk to your doc again. Perhaps she/he does not understand the severity of your anxiety. If I were having frequent panic attacks I would want to discuss the possibility of increasing/changing my meds. But, that's just me.

Best wishes. Stick around. This is a good place

Thanks. I will. When I asked her before about it, she said she didn't like the idea of a beta-blocker for me. I really don't want to ask, but it's going to be worse this year than last year, I basically know that.

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I would try something other than a benzodiazepine at first. Although they are highly effective, they can also be very sedating. Maybe try hydroxyzine first, then try a weaker benzodiazepine?

Just my opinion :3

The question is do you want it and feel you need it and are you going to be careful with it. Hydroxyzine doesn't do anything for me but benzos do. I don't see any harm in taking them for a short time.

Okay. I will have to look up what is hydroxyzine is along with different types of benzos. Thanks for the response .

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I really feel I need it. It's really getting out of hand. If I was able to get them, I would only want it for a short amount of time anyways.

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hi nike,
I too have performance anxiety . just today at church I was playing my flute in church my nerves got the better of me that I was messing up on a song at church . my therapist specializes in anxiety issues and im hoping to talk to her tomorrow or Tuesday afternoon when she is in the office . I take Vistaril . it gets my anxiety level down but I didn't take it cuz i might end up falling asleep in church . my music director told me relax .my nerves were getting in the way every time I have to perform in front of people . I also math and test anxiety too . I feel for you nike . I know the feeling .





Diagnosis: Anxiety and depression
meds: Cymbalta 90 mgs at night
Vistaril 2 25 mgs daily for anxiety prn
50 mgs at night for insomnia

Ask about inderal, beta blockers are supposed to be good for performance anxiety. I was given them once during severe panic attacks and it helps the physical symptoms a lot

If she doesn't like the idea of a Beta Blocker what about an SSRI?

I am on an SSRI. I am on Lexapro. It helps a lot with the generalized part of my social anxiety, just not the performance. I think it might have made my performance anxiety at times worse. She didn't really want me to go on another medication not even being an adult yet but. I have read combination of medicine for anxiety helps people, so I was thinking I might be one of those people.

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Thanks. I don't really want something that makes me tired because I am already tired all the time. I have test anxiety, but not math. I am pretty good at math. I get accomodated at school for tests so that's good. Thanks for the response .

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I think I mentioned a beta-blocker to her, but I told her I really didn't want to go on another medication, but I don't seem to have another choice at the moment. It's getting way out of hand now.

I will think about it. What's the difference between a beta-blocker and a benzodiazepines?

Thanks for the response .

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Beta-blockers reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, and sometimes the mental symptoms. Benzodiazepines are medications that are sedating, unlike beta-blockers. Benzodiazepines also have muscle relaxant properties, which is when people are sedated with midazolam, they may have issues holding their heads up. Oh and benzodiazepines are addictive while propranolol is not.

Thanks. I read on one of your post and you were prescribed propranolol. I was never wondering how it affects you to give me a general understanding. I don't even how much you need it, but anyways.... it will help. Thanks.

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