Propranolol

[pumpkin1976]

Hi, reaching out to see if there are any families out there where teens have been prescribed propranolol for anxiety/panic attacks. My 13 year old daughter saw a private psychiatrist who can prescribe thus. The GP wouldn't and preferred it to be prescribed privately. We did see the GP after the psych appt to ask and they just suggested apps and she do sport but she's having panic attacks. She suffers with the physical effects of anxiety and isn't worrying or fearful of anything other than that feeling.

anyone else child teen take this? I've researched what it is. I would rather she not take anything and we are looking for a cbt therapist or dbt therapist but that takes time.

any experiences with propranolol? Many thanks xx

My son was prescribed this at 17 for extreme anxiety. It’s a beta blocker so while it removed the physical symptoms he had while experiencing panic and anxiety attacks (palpitations, sweating, dizziness etc.) it didn’t actually alleviate the anxiety itself. He took it occasionally but soon stopped. He didn’t feel it worked for him and didn’t stop the anxiety. He had private counselling once a week for about two years, it’s helped enormously but it didn’t actually alleviate take a while to find a counsellor he gelled with. He is 22 now and is very well.

It sounds like it might work for her if she’s purely trying to get rid of the physical effects.

I hope that helps.

He was also offered CBT via the NHS but it was awful, he had to keep diaries and do lots of ‘homework’ and there was very little talking to anyone. It was just box ticking and added to his anxiety and feelings of pressure/panic so we went private and found a good counsellor (eventually)

My daughter takes it twice daily as a migraine preventative. She’s actually does suffer from anxiety also but I haven’t noticed much of a difference.