Southern Geordie 1 Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 I've got to give a presentation in a few weeks in front of 150 people and I'm completely bricking it. The most people I've presented in front of before now was about 10 and they were mostly mates. I was recommended to take beta blockers as they are meant to stop stage fright and the likes... my mate gets prescribed them willy nilly before exams by her doctor but am unsure how easy they are to get and whether they actually work? I realise they are for heart conditions and such but know they can also be used for anxiety... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gejon 2 Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Go see your doctor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Geordie 1 Posted September 25, 2009 Author Share Posted September 25, 2009 Go see your doctor. Thanks for the advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gejon 2 Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 No worries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 5941 Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 (edited) theyre for hypertension man. Nee Dr is going to prescribe them for normal anxiety! They can be used in a similar way as an anxiolytic but thats for severe anxiety problems Edited September 25, 2009 by Kid Dynamite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJS 3986 Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Don't fuck with your heart casually would be my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Geordie 1 Posted September 25, 2009 Author Share Posted September 25, 2009 theyre for hypertension man. Nee Dr is going to prescribe them for anxiety! Wonder what doctor my mate goes to then! Or what type of disorder she has! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0 Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Go the Bill Werbeniuk route and have 15 pints of lager to settle any nerves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMoog 0 Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 I think Beta blockers have the effect of slowing the heart slighty or regulating the beat, something like that. Not really what I'd have thought you'd want to take for anxiety. Don't take them if you have asthma either (just in case you have) as it can fuck things up there too apparently. Why don't you try some of that rescue remedy stuff? I gather a lot of performers use it when they have stage fright. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renton 17848 Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 theyre for hypertension man. Nee Dr is going to prescribe them for normal anxiety! They can be used in a similar way as an anxiolytic but thats for severe anxiety problems Propranolol is licensed for anxiety, often used for situations like this. SG, a beta-blocker will help deal with the physical aspects of severe anxiety - such as reduce a racing heart beat, and reduce shaking and sweating. It may also also have a psychological effect - although this will be more placebo than anything else. You won't be able to take one if you have had asthma. Whether your doctor will prescribe one, I don't really know - depends on the doctor. My brother was prescribed propranolol for interview stress. I wouldn't worry about adverse effects for single doses. You could also ask your doctor about a benzodiazepine if the physical aspects of your anxiety aren't prevalent. The thing is, in many professions, you have to give seminars or talks to people. Some people relish it, others, like me, hate it every time but learn to accept it and use props to get by (thank fuck for Powerpoint). If you take a beta-blocker now, how will you ever learn to cope with the pressure? So my advice would be, ask your doctor about this if it is truly a one-off. Otherwise, I would say face your fears head on and just do it. The first 30 seconds are the worst. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sniffer 0 Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Don't take a beta blocker for the first time just before a presentation as you don't know how it might affect you. Also, don't listen to anybody who says they've done it and they were fine. You don't need to take anything....once you get the presenation going you'll be OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 5941 Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 theyre for hypertension man. Nee Dr is going to prescribe them for normal anxiety! They can be used in a similar way as an anxiolytic but thats for severe anxiety problems Propranolol is licensed for anxiety, often used for situations like this. SG, a beta-blocker will help deal with the physical aspects of severe anxiety - such as reduce a racing heart beat, and reduce shaking and sweating. It may also also have a psychological effect - although this will be more placebo than anything else. You won't be able to take one if you have had asthma. Whether your doctor will prescribe one, I don't really know - depends on the doctor. My brother was prescribed propranolol for interview stress. I wouldn't worry about adverse effects for single doses. You could also ask your doctor about a benzodiazepine if the physical aspects of your anxiety aren't prevalent. The thing is, in many professions, you have to give seminars or talks to people. Some people relish it, others, like me, hate it every time but learn to accept it and use props to get by (thank fuck for Powerpoint). If you take a beta-blocker now, how will you ever learn to cope with the pressure? So my advice would be, ask your doctor about this if it is truly a one-off. Otherwise, I would say face your fears head on and just do it. The first 30 seconds are the worst. I think hes got more hope of getting a beta blocker than a benzo tbh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Geordie 1 Posted September 25, 2009 Author Share Posted September 25, 2009 theyre for hypertension man. Nee Dr is going to prescribe them for normal anxiety! They can be used in a similar way as an anxiolytic but thats for severe anxiety problems Propranolol is licensed for anxiety, often used for situations like this. SG, a beta-blocker will help deal with the physical aspects of severe anxiety - such as reduce a racing heart beat, and reduce shaking and sweating. It may also also have a psychological effect - although this will be more placebo than anything else. You won't be able to take one if you have had asthma. Whether your doctor will prescribe one, I don't really know - depends on the doctor. My brother was prescribed propranolol for interview stress. I wouldn't worry about adverse effects for single doses. You could also ask your doctor about a benzodiazepine if the physical aspects of your anxiety aren't prevalent. The thing is, in many professions, you have to give seminars or talks to people. Some people relish it, others, like me, hate it every time but learn to accept it and use props to get by (thank fuck for Powerpoint). If you take a beta-blocker now, how will you ever learn to cope with the pressure? So my advice would be, ask your doctor about this if it is truly a one-off. Otherwise, I would say face your fears head on and just do it. The first 30 seconds are the worst. Good shout mate, cheers. It will be a powerpoint presentation and will be after a couple of other speakers so the pressure wouldn't be that much... only difference being that the people before me will be really experienced in public speaking. I don't mind giving presentations in front of medium groups of any importance, I just think it's the thought of the 150 people more than anything that has got me bricking it! You never know, I might be fine. I never get nervous for exams and was probably too confident for my driving test, this could be similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renton 17848 Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 theyre for hypertension man. Nee Dr is going to prescribe them for normal anxiety! They can be used in a similar way as an anxiolytic but thats for severe anxiety problems Propranolol is licensed for anxiety, often used for situations like this. SG, a beta-blocker will help deal with the physical aspects of severe anxiety - such as reduce a racing heart beat, and reduce shaking and sweating. It may also also have a psychological effect - although this will be more placebo than anything else. You won't be able to take one if you have had asthma. Whether your doctor will prescribe one, I don't really know - depends on the doctor. My brother was prescribed propranolol for interview stress. I wouldn't worry about adverse effects for single doses. You could also ask your doctor about a benzodiazepine if the physical aspects of your anxiety aren't prevalent. The thing is, in many professions, you have to give seminars or talks to people. Some people relish it, others, like me, hate it every time but learn to accept it and use props to get by (thank fuck for Powerpoint). If you take a beta-blocker now, how will you ever learn to cope with the pressure? So my advice would be, ask your doctor about this if it is truly a one-off. Otherwise, I would say face your fears head on and just do it. The first 30 seconds are the worst. I think hes got more hope of getting a beta blocker than a benzo tbh! Depends on the doctor again. My wife got diazepam for flying after an accident we were involved in. They only prescribe small amounts though - 5x2mg or something stupid. Again, it's more of a placebo, pretty harmless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sniffer 0 Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Actually, it's not a good shout at all. You have no idea how a single dose would affect you. It could slow your heart and drop your cardiac output sufficiently that you faint. Seen it before and certainly entertains the audience. But hey, then again it might not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Geordie 1 Posted September 25, 2009 Author Share Posted September 25, 2009 Actually, it's not a good shout at all. You have no idea how a single dose would affect you. It could slow your heart and drop your cardiac output sufficiently that you faint. Seen it before and certainly entertains the audience. But hey, then again it might not. I meant good shout about facing the fears. Suppose I'll never learn otherwise eh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyluke 1 Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 If you had major problems with anxiety in the past then perhaps an anxiolitic would be indicated, but I and I'm guessing your GP would be reluctant to prescribe them just because you feel a bit nervous about something you've never done before. On the subject of Diazapam, we had a guy who'd drunk 8 litres of cider a day then decided to stop, and went a bit cuckoo. 50mg of Diazapam AN HOUR didn't calm him so we had to sedate him with propafol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill 0 Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 theyre for hypertension man. Nee Dr is going to prescribe them for normal anxiety! They can be used in a similar way as an anxiolytic but thats for severe anxiety problems Propranolol is licensed for anxiety, often used for situations like this. SG, a beta-blocker will help deal with the physical aspects of severe anxiety - such as reduce a racing heart beat, and reduce shaking and sweating. It may also also have a psychological effect - although this will be more placebo than anything else. You won't be able to take one if you have had asthma. Whether your doctor will prescribe one, I don't really know - depends on the doctor. My brother was prescribed propranolol for interview stress. I wouldn't worry about adverse effects for single doses. You could also ask your doctor about a benzodiazepine if the physical aspects of your anxiety aren't prevalent. The thing is, in many professions, you have to give seminars or talks to people. Some people relish it, others, like me, hate it every time but learn to accept it and use props to get by (thank fuck for Powerpoint). If you take a beta-blocker now, how will you ever learn to cope with the pressure? So my advice would be, ask your doctor about this if it is truly a one-off. Otherwise, I would say face your fears head on and just do it. The first 30 seconds are the worst. I think hes got more hope of getting a beta blocker than a benzo tbh! Depends on the doctor again. My wife got diazepam for flying after an accident we were involved in. They only prescribe small amounts though - 5x2mg or something stupid. Again, it's more of a placebo, pretty harmless. I get it all the time for flying like. The 2mg ones. Got offered beta blockers the first time, as far as I remember, but went for diazepam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 I would recommend some hash marmites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 5941 Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 I would recommend not being a woman! Suck it up man!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JawD 31 Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 Nothing to do with the prevention of software development then? As for presenting, I've done maybe 20 people at most. Its funny, I can sit with confidence and talk but as soon as I have to stand up the nerves hit me. What I find though firstly is that if its 50 people or 100 theres not much difference. Also, most of the time they are there to gain something from you and so are actually interested in what you are saying. I think the first 5 mins are worst, but then you settle down and its fine. Just remember to have a glass of water and to pause between statements, also gives you a chance to compose yourself. Then of course practice the fuck out of the presentation. As you've done it before, you'll prob piss it and it will be fine. Dont bother trying to take anything etc, you might have high expectations of its performance rather than your own and make things worse. You'll prob be fine leading up to it, and fucking caking it 5 mins before as each second ticks by and your slot gets closer. But once you get up, just have a drink, deep breath and roll on Oh, and dont say Erm 1000 times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trophyshy 6434 Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 Go the Bill Werbeniuk route and have 15 pints of lager to settle any nerves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob W 0 Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 odd things - never taken them myself but a few people have reported truly terrifying nightmares.............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Geordie 1 Posted September 29, 2009 Author Share Posted September 29, 2009 Cheers for the advice. Few people I know have taken kalms herbal pills for flying and stuff, so willl go to the docs then look into that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renton 17848 Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Cheers for the advice. Few people I know have taken kalms herbal pills for flying and stuff, so willl go to the docs then look into that. Believe they work and they will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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