QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
I have two books of yours, and I refer people to your website. Thank you for all the work you do for the benefit of so many frustrated, unhappy people. Here's my question: What else would you recommend if 15 mg Paxil gives excellent anxiety management except in cases of public speaking. Even with an additional 20 mg Propranolol on the day of the speaking engagement, performance anxiety leads to "going blank", sweating and desire to flee. I've used creative visualization tapes, positive affirmations, lots of preparation, aromatherapy, and prayer. Help!
ANSWER:
Thank you for your kind words.
It appears lots of adrenaline comes out when you're anxious or have to speak in
public. The best technique to overcome this is to join Toastmasters - an organization
designed to help people like you and those who need to improve their public speaking.
Higher doses of propranolol should be tried, and if they don't work you'll
likely need to take a benzodiazepine like lorazepam or alprazolam.
