Inderal (propranolol) [Beta Blocker]

Social Anxiety Background
I did a little therapy on what caused my social anxiety--I had a few traumatic experiences that brought unwanted attention, and because of my basically shy nature (inherited), it caused a social phobia. When I began to work (which I needed to do to support two daughters), I found more situations cropping up that triggered a phobia --typing with people watching me, writing while people watched what I was doing, having my work critiqued, etc. A nightmare for me, for instance, would be going to a home loan signing--an easy and exciting experience for most people, but one which would cause me to let the house go instead. I also learned that people who are predisposed to tremor and nerve disorders are also more inclined to develop social anxiety. Inderal is also used to treat essential tremor, so there you go...

Other Treatments
Xanax in very small and short-term doses.

Treatment Experience
I've had this disorder probably since most of you were born, but here's what I know about Inderal (or many of the newer beta blockers).

It was a miracle for me and I've been using it for twenty odd years (no pun intended).
Many of the physical manifestations of social anxiety increase the fear and emotional ones. Inderal enabled me to keep my job in which I had to give computer demos and found that my shaking hands prohibited me typing with people watching me. I also had problems with writing in public, and off-the-chart fear of speaking in public. Parties and other things were an issue, but I think possibly because I'm female, I could handle those (I wasn't expected to approach people, but people could approach me).

For Kim, I'd give Inderal another try--don't take so much because increasing the dose doesn't make it more effective--and could cause the weakness and slow your blood pressure down too much. You'll find that as you successfully give presentations, the emotional and mental fear will also give way. I have surprised myself by being able to do many things that I couldn't do after forgetting to take my medication.

You could also try Xanax or another sedative (take only a small amount). But, unlike Inderall, the sedatives are addictive and you could end up with a much larger problem.​

Social Anxiety Background
Disabilitating generalized social phobia

Other Treatments
Everything, lol

Treatment Experience
Propanolol does great for tremors and shakes, but what I really liked it for was its ability to calm my tense legs. My legs would ache from stress but Inderal took care of that. A+​

Social Anxiety Background
severe social anxiety and panic disorder

Treatment Experience
The university clinic gave me this to help me do class presentations. I was so desperate to believe it would help because my grades depended on it. You're supposed to take 10mg one hour before a presentation, and it's supposed to calm you down by regulating your heartbeat and such.

I decided to give it a test run a few days before my presentation, and it's a good thing I did.

I took 10mg and waited...nothing but a few twinges of chest pain

I took 10 more mg (you're allowed to take up to 40mg a day and it usually takes a higher dose for me to feel much) and I waited. I felt absolutely NO decrease in mental anxiety. I just felt physically "slowed down" in an odd and kind of scary way. It's strange not to be able to hear your own heart beating. There were more of the disturbing chest pains

I was so disappointed that this stupid pill wasn't the performance anxiety miracle the clinic had made it out to be.
So, in short, this pill does nothing (I repeat, nothing) for the mental symptoms of anxiety. Don't expect any help in that department. It only works on a few physical symptoms of anxiety (like rapid heartbeat).
Also, it causes constipation, dry mouth and insomnia. And yeah...the chest pains...scary
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