Posted by RobertDavid on December 12, 2005, at 0:56:02
In reply to xanax or ativan? » RobertDavid, posted by LegWarmers on December 11, 2005, at 21:36:10
> For performance anxiety has is there one that is preferred over the other, for the majority? Im not sure I can manage to get both from the pdoc.
>
> Thankyou!If it were me, I'd go with xanax. I'd say that would be most peoples first choice (of the two meds). If you want it to work faster you can put it under your tongue.
My brother is a dentist and has similar issues at meetings. He doesn't take benzos or other meds regularly but keeps xanax in his pocket and slips one under his tongue if he starts getting edgy. He has some issues in certain driving situations as well and does the same thing. He calls xanax his "parachute."
My guess is that .5mgs should calm you down. Again, you may want to try it sometime on a different day to test how it makes you feel. Maybe .25 would work, everyone is different.
Keep in mind it's not a cure all for performance anxiety, just will smooth you out, perhaps help with the anticipation before the talk (which can be worse that the talk itself).
As Phillipa mentioned there are other options like beta blockers. I think it really just depends on the individual. Because I have GAD and SAD when I tried a beta blocker before a speech once I found myself getting more panicky because I could feel my heart pounding (or at least I thought that's what it was doing). It brought more attention to the medicine and my situation which made things worse.
But I do know that for many beta blockers work well. It's my understanding many performers, conducters, etc. use them before performances as needed.
Again, if it were me I'd go with xanax. Remember, typically it's all the anticipation thats far more stressful than the actual event.
Good luck, you'll do fine!
poster:RobertDavid
thread:588115
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051211/msgs/588269.html