To hope propanalol will help my 'mind blanks'

[ohmary]

I have manageable anxiety most of the time. Except when I have to publicly speak or do interviews. I practice, practice, practice until I'm blue in the face. I prepare so much and when I practice it runs smoothly and sounds great. However, as soon as I am presenting or put on the spot with questions in an interview my mind goes totally blank, and if not totally blank I lose about 80 percent of the information I have practised for weeks.

This is not something as simple as breathing techniques and practice in front of a group of friends, this is something I have struggled with for years and is no longer manageable on my own.

A year ago my GP gave me 40 mg propanalol to take for these situations. None have arisen until now, I have an interview on Friday and I am shitting myself. I know people swear that propanalol takes away the physical effects of anxiety, and yes I'm sure it will help me with my shakiness and sweats etc but am I right in saying it will not help me with my mind going blank?

Also meant to add, when I have this anxiety my body goes really heavy and jelly like and I feel in a fog. Will propanalol help with these symptoms?

You should take a dose before your interview to make sure you don't have any side effects. Propranolol can lower your blood pressure and the last thing you want is to be sick or faint on your way to the interview. It may help the heart racing but not sure if it will help mind blanks.

Yeah I plan on taking a dose the day before to be on the safe side. I also have slightly higher blood pressure so was hoping the likelihood of me fainting wouldn't be as high but you never know.

Bump

I’ve used it for years- it’s a lifesaver. I wish more people knew about it! I never got mind blanks but awful blushing and shakiness. If you are calmer in general, there’s a good chance you’ll feel your mind is clearer. Tell you dr if it’s not effective, it might not be the right dose for you. I never struggled with low bp. I do sometimes get a weird ringing in my ears but it doesn’t last long! Good luck!

I'd try a few days before just in case. My husband takes them for migraines, he takes a higher dose but I'm not sure how much it helps with remembering, it helps with symptoms of stress I think. Not sure. He gets extremely vivid dreams though so don't just take the night before and then find it impossible to get a good nights sleep.

It's amazing, as pp said I wish I'd known about it years ago, why did nobody tell me?! It mutes the physical side effects of anxiety so you can focus on what you are there to communicate. I think you will see an appreciable difference in your performance. Good luck and think positive!xx

This is VERY reassuring and gives me hope thank you!!

I've heard that actors who get stage fright use it.

I had depression and anxiety after the kids. So I got them.

Taking a couple before presentations has furthered my career a lot. I used to dry up, shaky voice, all of it.

It's not what they're supposed to be for but. Works for me.