Propranolol and Social Anxiety

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I am outwardly a very confident person, sales background etc. No problem meeting new people etc.

For the past few years I have been getting panic attacks on trains, theatres and in crowded places. I start to feel a bit worried which escalates rapidly into red face, sweating and total 'flight or fight' mode, cue resulting panic attack.

To manage this I will take a frozen bottle of water, chew gum and try and make sure I sit on the end of an aisle and/or near a door or window (not always possible).

I am involved in something shortly (think TV audience) which I cannot get out of and frankly, I don't want to. On the rational side it will be interesting, relevant to my work and a fantastic experience. On the non-rational and panicky side, even typing this out is making me worry.

I have read that Propranolol could help reduce the physical symptoms.

AIBU to think this could help with this?

Any other suggestions very gratefully received. I am mid forties and this is starting to take over my life

It will definitely help, I've used it for similar reactions, but different situations.

My GP was very amenable in prescribing once I had explained the issue.

Good luck!

I have taken propanolol in the past for similar reasons.
I went to my gp and she suggested i try this.
I certainly helped me.
Go and have a chat with your gp.

Propranolol is amazing (for me). I feel like a normal person again while on it. Sadly can't be on it ATM as TTC.
It might not work the same for you, but for me it's an utter game changer.
My problem is shaky voice when talking and trembling - propranolol takes it away. In very stressful situations some still breaks through the drugs, but it's about 10% of what it used to be.
It's amazing, but no good during pregnancy or breastfeeding. I'll be going back to ask for it again once I've finished having babies.

I take it for health anxiety and general anxiety.

I love it. Could not be without it.

It has helped me way more than SRIs have.

Thank you for all your replies.

I probably have this reaction once or twice a year so not a huge issue in itself - but on the flip side, I steer clear of places and/or situations that I think will be a problem.

Hence the feeling it is taking over my life

I have been prescribed it as a way of managing migraines but have found a welcome side-effect that it suppresses 'stage-fright' type symptoms when in anxiety-inducing situations. Apparently doctors will take it themselves as a one-off when giving presentations to large audiences etc. I wish I'd had it when I took and failed my driving test on a number of occasions ... The only thing I would say is that it does take some people a while to get used to and they feel groggy and 'slowed down' when first taking it. I had these symptoms and they passed in time. It also suits me better to take all of my dose AM instead of twice a day. Also, avoid alcohol when you take them.

I used proponanol for job interviews and driving lessons and it was amazingly helpful. It basically just puts an upper limit on the amount of adrenalin in your body so stops the physical symptoms of nervousness/panic. I also found myself feeling more confident once I'd taken it - I think it sorted of tricked my brain into being less nervous since I didn't have my hands shaking or heart pounding.

I take it as or when I need it and found it enormously helpful - no major side effects (once or twice when I took the maximum dose I felt slightly light headed if I stood up too quickly). I would definitely give it a try.

Talk to your GP. Be aware though that if you are an asthmatic (like me), you can't take propranolol as there is a risk it will set your asthma off

As long as you don't suffer with low blood pressure or a slow heart rate it should work well for you in the situations you've described. It lowers both as a side effect. I used it to get through my driving test, my nerves were so extreme I'd stall the car just from my foot shaking so hard. The propranolol stopped that.

My GP took it herself all through university as she used to get panic attacks over exams.

I have taken it before giving large presentations or speeches which make me really nervous and trembly of voice. It's incredibly effective.

I take it along with my citalopram as and when needed, it's very good.

Update

Went to GP yesterday, was prescribed Propranolol after a chat.

Used it tonight in a situation I previously would have felt uncomfortable in and had absolutely no symptoms of heat, red face, heart racing etc so was fine throughout.

My GP said I'd wish I had seen her years ago and she is right

Big and more terrifying thing on Thursday but am convinced I can get through it now.

Thank you so much for all your comments and if anyone is thinking of giving it a go with symptoms like mine - I can't recommend it enough.

Pleased to hear you went to the gp, op.
I too wish I had heard about it years ago, I spent a long time avoiding certain situations because of my anxiety.
Propanolol helped so much.

She also recommended CBT and gave me details of how to make contact re that.

It was so lovely to have someone understand, usually people tell me I am the absolute last person they can imagine with this as I seem so confident. This has nothing to do with how I appear though!