I suffer from tremendous anxiety during exams in school. When writing an essay, I am supposed to decipher and organize arguments, but my nervousness compounds after I first realize that I'm a bit confused, to the point of panic and paralysis. Now that I have a big exam coming up (4 hours long), I can't afford to have this happen again!
I was told about the use of beta-blockers for performance anxiety. After doing research I see that Inderal (Propanolol) is the most commonly used. Here is my question in a few parts:
1. Can Metoprolol be used instead? If so, what is the appropriate dosage to use? I ask because Metoprolol and Propanolol are dosed differently for their "on-label" uses.
2. Will beta-blockers be so anxiolytic that the normal, productive adrenaline response in exam situations will be completely shutdown or interefer with my cognitive ability, to my detriment
3. If #2 is an inevitability, is there a more appropriate medication to deal with my problem? I've considered benzodiazapenes, but I fear they will make my "out of it".
Thank you so much for your help. This service is truly an asset.