Have you been tapped to offer a toast at the rehearsal dinner of your best friend’s wedding? Are you anxious about sitting for that upcoming licensure exam that you’ve put off for far too long? Do you find yourself dripping with sweat or shaking like a leaf at the mere thought of delivering a presentation to your company’s favored client? If so, you’re not alone for sure. Performing under pressure where there is something to lose plagues all of to [...]
Antihistamines are used primarily to counter the effects of histamine, a neurochemical involved in allergic reactions. They also can reduce anxiety through their sedative effects and are sometimes used to treat insomnia. If you’ve ever taken a Benadryl (diphenhydramine), you know what I mean. Although not FDA-approved for insomnia, antihistamines promote drowsiness which in turn can influence sleep induction. They will not help with sleep maintenance, nor will they prevent early morning awakenings. Vistaril (hydroxyzine pamoate) and Atarax (hydroxyzine hydrochloride) [...]
Beta-blockers, which include Inderal (propranolol), Toprol (metoprolol) and Tenormin (atenolol) among others, have been used in general medicine since 1965. These drugs block beta- receptors in the heart, and by doing so, blood pressure, heart rate and cardiac output are decreased. This led to beta-blocker use in the treatment of hypertension, angina and cardiac arrhythmias. In psychiatry, beta-blockers are used in the treatment of anxiety disorders with manifestations such as palpitations, sweating and tremor. As such, performance anxiety that may [...]
