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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Controlling panic during presentations
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Controlling panic during presentations
by Honeybear's mom, Jan 28, 2004 12:00AM
I'm a 29-year old female who was diagnosed with arrythmias 5 years ago and have had panic attacks intermittently since then. I know that they won't kill me, so I've learned to deal with them and they've decreased in frequency. However, I just started a medicine residency at a university and have started having panic attacks during presentations and rounds that I have to lead. My dream is to teach, but now I'm questioning if I can do it! I really want to continue on this path, but it's so embarassing - my heart starts racing, my voice shakes, and I can't THINK at all! I'm much better off if I'm prepared, but I need to be able to be caught off guard and still perform. I've heard people suggest beta blockers, and I have them because of my arrythmias, but I don't take them regularly (i.e. 1-2 times per month). I'm terrified of Xanax, which was prescribed to me by my family doctor, but which I haven't taken since I'm afraid of addiction. Please give me any suggestions you have. I'm a poor resident, so therapy is not an option at this time. I know practice helps, but I need to be able to excel NOW! Help!!!! Thank you so much.
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Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Jan 29, 2004 12:00AM
, Jan 29, 2004 12:00AM
Most people use beta blockers for this, and by and large they are much better than xanax because they don't blur your thinking. That, plus preparation is probably the best under the cirumstances. The other therapeutic thing you might do for yourself is to explore the imagery of your fear and get some perspective on the reality vs the imagery.
Member Comments (1)
by Honeybear's mom, Jan 31, 2004 12:00AM
Any ideas about Inderol?
by susans, Feb 03, 2004 12:00AM
I take Inderal and Xanax, have GAD but lately lots of palpitations. The Xanax cuts the anxiety immediately, I never go over prescribed dosage. I wish the Inderal worked on its own, but haven't noticed any difference on it. The doctor just increased my dose from 60 mg to 80 mg. I'm terrified of weight gain, because I have been on SSRI's as well and have put on lots of weight.
