To ask how to overcome these panic attacks

[ChochoCrazyCat]

I've always been an anxious person but can do well in most work and social situations...until a scenario where I'm put on the spot and expected to talk in front of people, such as at interviews or presentations. I can do it SOMETIMES, but other times my limbs go numb, my mind blank, my mouth gets dry and I shake and struggle to breathe. Last time it happened I felt like I was going to die. There's no logic to it, even if I'm prepared and know rationally there's nothing to be scared of, it still happens.

I have an Ok job and am good at what I do but have struggled to get any kind of promotion or other job than the one I have. I can't hope to be taken seriously if I can't speak confidently in front of people.
Has anyone dealt with this successfully? Hypnotherapy, self help books, medication even?

Hi OP, I empathise with you! I have experienced similar. Beta blockers helped somewhat as they reduce the physical side of it - heart racing, shaking etc. Won't stop you feeling uncomfortable or nervous but at least the situation isn't made far worse by the horrible physical response!

Use of beta blockers. Game changer!

Where do you get beta blockers? GP?

Yep. Just explain what you said here. They have a temporary effect, aren’t addictive and worked wonders for my anxiety.

What do you mean by temporary effect? So I would only take them before a situation that I know would be a trigger?
Thing is, I don't always get advance warning.

Betablockers for me too - very helpful for this kind of situational anxiety which triggers physical symptoms.

They act pretty quickly I think, maybe 15 mins. Sometimes if a panic-inducing situation was sprung upon me I'd bite into a tablet before swallowing as I wondered if that would speed up their action.

I rarely take them now, maybe a couple of times a year, as they were so successful years ago at getting my public speaking anxiety under control. Now my body is used to feeling calm in those situations - it has re-learned a more relaxed response to them because of the betablockers.

Ok I'll look into this. What about hypnotherapy? Is it woo or can it help? It's been recommended to me by people who swear by it and are sensible people so I'm tempted to look into it.

I second beta blockers and the therapy with the eye movements is supposed to be very helpful-i can't remember what it's called. Something beginning with E