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AIBU?

to think taking propranolol (adrenaline blocker) for a marked presentation isn't cheating

35 replies

user1489509816 · 15/03/2017 10:08

On Monday I have a presentation which is marked out of 50 overall. Content and the way the content is presented is all marked.

Everyone is really nervous and I suspect most people will be shaking/sweating their way through it. It's a never wracking experience and the highest marker will be kept on after the internship. I have got a prescription of propranolol which completely stops my shaking and other adrenaline related effects so while I will be nervous I won't look it and I will be able to concentrate more on the delivery of the presentation.

I asked anyone else if they took beta blockers and they all looked at me blankly so I presume they don't know about them.

I now feel a bit guilty about this. If I didn't have propranolol I wouldn't even be able to do the presentation I would be too nervous.

I'm very good at my job but can't do presentations or speeches. I hate them.

Am I cheating? AIBU to think it's not cheating to take this medication? I know it's an unfair advantage.

OP posts:

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JoJoSM2 · 15/03/2017 10:12

Are you in therapy? Why would you feel guilty? Cheating in a presentation would be of you stole someone else's work and presented that as your own. If you've got anxiety issues and get treated for the by a doctor than it's clearly nothing to do with cheating. Others might have been surprised as they will have coping mechanisms - relaxation, preparation etc to deal with stress rather than take medication for it.

JamDonutsRule · 15/03/2017 10:13

YABU to think you're cheating. You were smart enough to investigate a medical solution, they were not. You deserve any (small) advantage you're given.

I realise that may be a bit controversial, but I'm in the mood to risk a flaming today 😜

Bundesliga · 15/03/2017 10:15

I wouldn't think you are cheating unless the use of this type of drug is contractually specified in the job description. You get over adrenalised, this helps.

Propranolol would make me do a worse presentation as it sends me into a mental coma! So don't think it's a performance advantage over everyone- I perform well under pressure like that, better than I do without the pressure. That seems more of an advantage than taking drugs to mitigate detrimental effects of pressure on you.

ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 15/03/2017 10:16

Of course not. I suspect most people don't take them simply because they haven't heard of it.

I take propranolol occasionally, it's great stuff.

Incidentally, what dosage were you given - I'm curious because they can vary hugely and I wondered if there was a standard dose for stage fright related symptoms.

SquatBetty · 15/03/2017 10:16

You're not cheating - unless there are specific rules in regards to the presentation saying you can't give it if you're under the influence of drink/drugs etc?

So don't worry about it, I'd probably do the same as you as I too hate giving presentations and public speaking! Good luck for Monday.

Wishiwasmoiradingle2017 · 15/03/2017 10:16

When I was learning to drive my instructor suggested I get some to take before my test. . She was a very straight laced woman. . So no. Def not a cheating tactic. .

WorkingBee · 15/03/2017 10:17

not cheating at all! It's just one way of tackling anxiety symptoms. Why wouldn't you?

PietariKontio · 15/03/2017 10:18

If you have a diagnosed condition for the propranolol, rather than everyday anxiety that most people get, than it's not cheating.

Equally adrenaline is actually a useful thing, and getting a little (manageably) nervous is actually beneficial in facing challenging situations, so if others are experiencing that it helps them rather hinders them, and all you're doing it leveling things out.

Good luck anyways :)

DratThatCat · 15/03/2017 10:18

Absolutely not cheating. I took propranolol for my driving test and for a job interview (which I got). A person taking antidepressants to manage their depression would not be cheating so if you take propranolol to manage your anxiety, that is not cheating either. Good luck with your presentation!

user1489509816 · 15/03/2017 10:19

I don't have anxiety issues generally. I'm actually a very calm person but presentations/public speaking leaves me a nervous wreck. I can't stop the shaking or sweating.

A little nerves help me, but not that extent. Propranolol doesn't stop the nerves completely but it stops the physical symptoms.

OP posts:

ElizaDontlittle · 15/03/2017 10:19

Like a PP, I need the adrenaline to perform! So it's something that helps you, not an unfair advantage.
Good luck with it OP - it's such a tough market for jobs that you really want out there!

Honeybee79 · 15/03/2017 10:20

If you have been diagnosed with anxiety then taking the medication you'be been prescribed is not cheating!

MiscellaneousAssortment · 15/03/2017 10:21

If your gp has prescribed it after a thorough consultation then I fail to see where the cheating is?

Are you worried because it's possible to misuse drugs like propranolol for recreational purposes?

If you are taking them for a medical reason, you aren't cheating in the slightest. If you are taking them for an 'off-prescription' use, using them in a way not intended by your prescribing physician, then maybe you are cheating. Can you see the difference though? There is s big one.

I take medicines to stablise my blood pressure, so am I cheating too?

Stop worrying and good luck for the presentation!

user1489509816 · 15/03/2017 10:24

Thanks everyone.

I'm on 80mg which I only take on the day of the stressful event.

OP posts:

PollyBanana · 15/03/2017 10:28

If it's a prescription only drug and you've been legitimately given it, fine.
You're just levelling the playing field

Iamyourmotheryours · 15/03/2017 10:28

It's not cheating.

And I find that, while it's true that most people do get nervous before a presentation, their bodies don't produce as much adrenalin as few unlucky ones and they are able to control their visible nervous symptoms better because of that. So if anything, it just puts you on the same level as others. 'Nervous' can mean so many different things to different people. For most of the people I have talked to it means having some symptoms of nervousness but then being able to control them. For me it means uncontrollable shaking, extremely fast heartrate that won't come down, struggling to breathe, nearly passing out, struggling to control any part of my body.

I take propranolol just to try to get to the same level as other people. Without it, I wouldn't be able to do most normal every day things, let alone a presentation.

repaintthesky · 15/03/2017 10:36

IMO it's quite in order to take beta blockers for performance anxiety. You are not attempting to procure an unfair advantage, merely to control your symptoms. Don't give it another thought.

Mari50 · 15/03/2017 10:37

Def not, I took them for professional exams and they were a life saver. My nerves can be overwhelming and physically manifest as shaking which isn't ideal.

1AnnoyingOrange · 15/03/2017 10:39

No its not cheating. You are being assessed on presentation and content, not how much adrenaline your body produces and how your body reacts to that. This is part of your preparation, like reading it out at home infront of the mirror (or whatever you do to get ready).

LuxCoDespondent · 15/03/2017 10:41

Taking prescribed medication is no more cheating than Stephen Hawking using his wheelchair and voicebox to make a presentation. I'm not sure why anyone would think it was an issue.

Foureyesarebetterthantwo · 15/03/2017 10:45

You have no idea what drugs/medicines other people may be taking, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, all kinds of things. If it steadies your nerves in a presentation, all to the good.

pho3be · 15/03/2017 10:48

What do you mean cheating? Os it competition?

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chemicalCat · 15/03/2017 10:57

Unless you're a snooker player, it's not cheating.

I have similar issues and take PP when I have a presentation or stressful situation. Cuts out the shakes and quavering voice but not the nerves.

I have found that I only need a small dose to get the effect. I did take 40mg but found exactly the same when I took 10mg. So that's what I take now.

Foureyesarebetterthantwo · 15/03/2017 11:00

I do think 80mg is quite a high dose. It doesn't really matter if it works, but I also agree a smaller dose may work just fine if it's for steadying the nerves and you don't want to end up too like a zombie.

TheProblemOfSusan · 15/03/2017 11:08

I do suffer from anxiety, so I know how awful it feels and how debilitating it can be and how uncontrollable it is around trigger things. But presentations, job interviews, etc aren't one of the things that set me off. I get nervy in a much more normal way.

There's miles between helpful adrenaline nerves that get you psyched to give a good performance and the anxiety type that makes it impossible to behave as well as you could, so YANBU. bangs gavel

That said, I would double check whatever regulations you are under now that you've told others in the class just to put your mind at rest - now that would be my anxiety trigger in this situation!

Good luck.

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