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Cmack22
02-25-2013, 11:22 AM
Hi everyone. So after browsing these forums for around two moths now, i have finally decided that it's probably beneficial for me to create my own profile and to get some feedback from so many of you who suffer from anxiety.

Ever since i was young i have had a massive problem with confidence; be it interacting with people, speaking up in class or even going round to friends houses. My education has been a very painful experience to say the least and although excelling academically in most subjects, i still never really accomplished what i really wanted: Confidence in myself as a person.

After finishing secondary school when i was 18 i went onto college where i would complete my degree in Business Management. Again, just like in my school years, i excelled throughout and have graduated with a 2:1. What is frustrating for me is that i feel that without my anxiety and my confidence problem i would have done a lot better, mainly through being more interactive with my peers and being able to give convincing presentations, both of which were near on impossible with my perceived condition. So now i'm thinking: shit! i need to overcome this disease, otherwise i feel that my whole effort in graduating from University was just a complete waste of time. After all who wants to hire a nervous wreck with no confidence or self-belief?

Anyway on to the more detailed aspect of my condition. For me my anxiety is without a doubt stimulated in social environments, i mean any type of social environment, be it a cinema, a supermarket, or at work; all of which are very familiar day to day environments which take up a significant part of my daily life. For me blushing is a major symptom that i experience very often, as is shaking, and the worst off all jumping and un-coordinated movements. The jumping is something that really frustrates and embaresses me. I mean i can be in the safest of environments, a supermarket for example and catch people looking at me and just jump a little. Or someone may me walking towards me and i'll jump. I try my best to overcome these issues, but for me, actively thinking "i need to stop doing this" just makes it worse. It's so frustrating. I've taken Citalopram and Sertraline (Zoloft) on and off, but to no effect what so ever; they made me feel worse if anything.

So they are the basics of my story and what i go though everyday. It would be wonderful if someone could just provide some advice or if anyone has experienced similar symptoms, then that would be good to discuss with you.

By the way i'm 22 if that's relevant.

All the best,

Calum

alankay
02-25-2013, 12:47 PM
Calum, ask your doc about a beta blocker like propranolol, 20-40mgs. It will combat shaking, rapid heart beat, tremor, sweating and even "tics"(that jumping sensation you mentioned). Some docs like atenolol but I like propranolol as it will do a bit more for you. I think Social Anxiety is your primary type of anxiety. PM me any time. Alankay

Cmack22
02-26-2013, 12:01 PM
Calum, ask your doc about a beta blocker like propranolol, 20-40mgs. It will combat shaking, rapid heart beat, tremor, sweating and even "tics"(that jumping sensation you mentioned). Some docs like atenolol but I like propranolol as it will do a bit more for you. I think Social Anxiety is your primary type of anxiety. PM me any time. Alankay

Thanks, Alan. Interestingly my doc has never mentioned these Beta blockers, but i'll definitely bring them up on my next visit. How would these comba my tics, shaking and blushing?

Really appreciate all the advice.

alankay
02-26-2013, 12:39 PM
They partially block adrenaline at the beta receptor level in your nervous system. Bottom line they intefere with the bodies reaction to anxiety and stress. Your doc really should know all about these. For mainly a racing heart, atenolol(50mg) is fine. For a broader range of symptoms I like propranolol(inderal), 20-40mg, because it will help more with shakes, tremor, sweating, blushing as well as a racing heart as it's a non specific beta blocker. Atenolol is "cardio specific" and it still helps allot as well. Musicians, actors, executives use these for nervousness during speeches or other "perfomance anxiety" situations.
You need to have no asthma and a normal, healthy heart and that's about it. Also as with other meds take as rx'ed and ask for doc when any dose adjustment may be needed.
They don't help psychological fear but do with the bodies response by blunting the effect of adrenaline by blocking those beta receptors ability to recieve all the messages.
I have used them for over 25 years. But anyway ask your doc about this as he's your best resource. If he looks surprised...........................I'd be surprised!:)
PM me any time. Alankay