Need Help Strong fear of public performances

[aokorn]

I play a classical instrument and I'm relatively good at it. Most of the time I play just for myself, sometimes for a small circle of friends. It has come up that at the end of the year I am going to give a public performance here in my town. I am expecting a bigger crowd.

My problem is that I have a strong fear of public performances.

I think it would be a good idea if I took some chemical before the performance to reduce the tension, the nervousness. It should be such that it does not affect psychomotor skills.

Does anyone have any experience of this? How and with what would you solve these problems?

 

[Robi]

I'm going to the dentist in a few hours, I feel the same as public speaking,which I did quite a bit at the chamber of commerce council meetings,people hover over me staring,hello Xanax my old friend,I've come to talk with you again....

 

[Robi]

I play a classical instrument and I'm relatively good at it. Most of the time I play just for myself, sometimes for a small circle of friends. It has come up that at the end of the year I am going to give a public performance here in my town. I am expecting a bigger crowd.

My problem is that I have a strong fear of public performances.

I think it would be a good idea if I took some chemical before the performance to reduce the tension, the nervousness. It should be such that it does not affect psychomotor skills.

Does anyone have any experience of this? How and with what would you solve these problems?

I don't turn to drugs for every challenge any more but I did well on propanolol ,but deep and mindful breathing,knowing people aren't as critical as we get the mindset for them to be,know that when you get into the groove,you will revel in adulation

 

[Quasimoto]

I play a classical instrument and I'm relatively good at it. Most of the time I play just for myself, sometimes for a small circle of friends. It has come up that at the end of the year I am going to give a public performance here in my town. I am expecting a bigger crowd.

My problem is that I have a strong fear of public performances.

I think it would be a good idea if I took some chemical before the performance to reduce the tension, the nervousness. It should be such that it does not affect psychomotor skills.

Does anyone have any experience of this? How and with what would you solve these problems?

go to a doctor and get a prescription to propranolol or some similar a2 blocker, it isn't psychoactive and will not get you high or effect your abilities, but reduces heart rate and blocks some adrenaline release which leads to performance anxiety. It's actually a banned drug in the olympics for that reason. It is specifically known for reducing performance anxiety and related physical symptoms without effecting you mentally or physically.

it is not a controlled drug and would be easy to get prescribed, but unless you have high blood pressure, you will probably need to ask for it specifically.

It's not an abusable drug, so I think if your doctor knows you're a talented musician and need it for performance reasons, they will likely oblige. No shame in asking for this drug from a doctor. They will almost certainly give it to you if you ask.

(it's a banned drug in the olympics, but it's also one of the most prescribed drugs in the US, its very common and not illegal)

 

[neversickanymore]

If you decide on a chemical treatment id really suggest doing a trial run. What instrument do you play?

 

[aokorn]

go to a doctor and get a prescription to propranolol or some similar a2 blocker, it isn't psychoactive and will not get you high or effect your abilities, but reduces heart rate and blocks some adrenaline release which leads to performance anxiety

I have to say that I have been taking beta blockers for many years. Bisoprolol. I do not know if it is as effective as propranolol for my needs.

One more thing. In the country where I live, public health care is currently in tatters. When I briefly described my problem to my doctor via email and wanted a meeting with him, I did not get a reply. I guess he doesn't consider my problem important enough to waste his (precious) time on it.

So I'll have to help myself.

If you decide on a chemical treatment id really suggest doing a trial run. What instrument do you play?

I intend to try the medicine first. To this end, I will do a (trial) concert within my (extended) family. And under the influence of this medicine.

I have to say that I am quite old and have tried in various ways in my life to overcome my fear of performing. I have been playing (classical guitar) since I was 13 years old. And I've always had this fear. I remember one time, when it was one of my first gigs, in the middle of playing I lost the thread, got up and walked off the stage. That was very scarring for me for many years.

The way I solved the problem later was to have a beer or two before the performance. Two beers at the most. That helped somehow. But I have to say that I have and always had a negative attitude towards alcohol, because my father was an alcoholic.

 

[JohnnyVodka]

I've just been prescribed Propranolol to take as required to help me with my (general) anxiety, currently a lot of it do with fear of having another panic attack. Trying one at home today, though I don't expect the effect to be noticeable until I'm put in an anxiety-provoking situation.

Low dose benzos can obviously help, but you need to be sure what you're taking and you're unlikely to get them legally (in the UK).

 

[aokorn]

Low dose benzos can obviously help, but you need to be sure what you're taking and you're unlikely to get them legally (in the UK).

I did some research (especially on this forum and on the internet in general) and found that bromazepam (3mg) would be best suited to my needs.

Any better suggestions please! I would be very grateful for any suggestions.

I have looked a bit on the internet and found that this benzo can be ordered without a prescription.

I would take the tablet about half an hour before the show.

I would also like to say that I have no intention of abusing benzos. I feel fine and I don't need any 'help' except during the performance.

 

[deficiT]

I did some research (especially on this forum and on the internet in general) and found that bromazepam (3mg) would be best suited to my needs.

Any better suggestions please! I would be very grateful for any suggestions.

I have looked a bit on the internet and found that this benzo can be ordered without a prescription.

I would take the tablet about half an hour before the show.

I would also like to say that I have no intention of abusing benzos. I feel fine and I don't need any 'help' except during the performance.

Wish you the best! What instrument do you play?

 

[aokorn]

Wish you the best! What instrument do you play?

Thanks .

I play classical guitar.

 

[JohnnyVodka]

Quick review of using propanolol for the first time...

So I took 30mg of propanolol this morning and went out to do a couple of simple things. Bear in mind even basic stuff can feel overwhelming for me at the moment. Felt much more relaxed, not a single panicky thought, and, as a result, feel much happier now than I did when I woke up this morning.

Instructions were to take as required, but maximum three separate 10mg doses a day... so I guess I cheated a bit, but can always start rolling back when I know it's working for sure. Got a few things I can test it on next week before declaring it a success and hopefully getting back to work.

Really wish I'd been offered this to start with. Also really like that it can be taken as required, so could skip it if I'm having a day at home. If I do think it a success, I'll be pushing to get off the citalopram... not much use and full of crappy side effects (I think I've started grinding my teeth at night ).

 

[aokorn]

So I took 30mg of propanolol this morning and went out to do a couple of simple things. Bear in mind even basic stuff can feel overwhelming for me at the moment. Felt much more relaxed, not a single panicky thought, and, as a result, feel much happier now than I did when I woke up this morning.

I am glad that propranolol is helping you! As far as I know, it is a fairly harmless drug. I was prescribed it many years ago precisely in connection with my panic fear of performing. As far as I can remember it helped. But to a lesser extent. My fear seems to be more deep-seated. Propranolol didn't help much.

As I said, I am now taking another beta blocker: Bisoprolol. As far as I have researched so far, Propranolol is the one doctors prefer to prescribe for fear prevention. I would really like to know if anyone has any experience of this, or if Bisoprolol helps as much. I've been taking it for years and I don't even know what it's like without it or what it would be like with Propranolol.

But I have news. I ordered Bromazepam (6mg) over the internet. It arrived in my mailbox yesterday morning.

I was going into town that day, so it was a good opportunity to try it out. I put the tablet in half and ate it. Half an hour later, when I arrived in the city, the pill had already taken effect. After I had done some things, I sat down in a café and ordered a coffee.

In my mind I was playing the guitar in front of a crowd of people. In the past, thoughts like that have always made me nervous, like when I am really performing. Well, this time it was not like that. I was able to concentrate on 'playing' - without panic.

I think I did the right thing and I feel good about it . I can practice in peace - in anticipation of the performance.

 

[rentedbythehour]

I am glad that propranolol is helping you! As far as I know, it is a fairly harmless drug. I was prescribed it many years ago precisely in connection with my panic fear of performing. As far as I can remember it helped. But to a lesser extent. My fear seems to be more deep-seated. Propranolol didn't help much.

As I said, I am now taking another beta blocker: Bisoprolol. As far as I have researched so far, Propranolol is the one doctors prefer to prescribe for fear prevention. I would really like to know if anyone has any experience of this, or if Bisoprolol helps as much. I've been taking it for years and I don't even know what it's like without it or what it would be like with Propranolol.

But I have news. I ordered Bromazepam (6mg) over the internet. It arrived in my mailbox yesterday morning.

I was going into town that day, so it was a good opportunity to try it out. I put the tablet in half and ate it. Half an hour later, when I arrived in the city, the pill had already taken effect. After I had done some things, I sat down in a café and ordered a coffee.

In my mind I was playing the guitar in front of a crowd of people. In the past, thoughts like that have always made me nervous, like when I am really performing. Well, this time it was not like that. I was able to concentrate on 'playing' - without panic.

I think I did the right thing and I feel good about it . I can practice in peace - in anticipation of the performance.

I'm glad you've done your research and found something that will potentially work for you. I took propranolol (indural) for a short period of time. Back then, 25 years ago, it was used for people who had social anxiety about lots of things. Speaking in public, performance issues, bad test takers. The thing about beta blockers though is that they usually have to be taken every day. I've never heard of bromezapam, probably because it's not available in the States. I did read that there is a high chance of addiction due to how its active component modifies the actual chemical structure of your brain after use for an extended period. Therefore I would only take it when you need it. I can tell you about my brief experience with indural. I remember liking it while I was taking it. I was in college and talking a communications class that required weekly public speaking. I found it helped with my anxiety around those issues. But then I ended up talking an entire bottle, along with a bottle of amitriptyline. I had just stopped taking Prozac could turkey and was suicidal for the first time in my life. I am lucky to be alive. I remember the DR telling me it was probably the worst thing I could have od'd on. My resting heart rate was somewhere in the 200s. So don't do that. I think if you stick to just using it when you need it, that will work out just fine for you. Good luck with your performance.

 

[aokorn]

Thank you rentedbythehour for sharing your experience. I understand the message behind it.

I firmly decided to take half of the Bromazepam just half an hour before the show. So far, it looks like I will have three gigs in three months. That's three 3mg tablets. I bought 20 6mg tablets. By the time I would theoretically use them up, they will have expired.

I should mention that I am not entirely innocent about drugs. I have some experience with them and I know what overdoing it means. Well, I have been feeling very good for a few years now and I do not want to lose that feeling.

Added to that, I have improved a lot recently in the quality of my guitar playing. I have time and I play every day for at least two hours. Sometimes up to six hours. I think I still have reserves and I'm looking forward to the 'journey'.

It would be a real shame to waste this opportunity that nature has given me.

 

[aokorn]

knowing people aren't as critical as we get the mindset for them to be

That's true! But the problem is that I am very self-critical. I demand a lot from myself.:hai:

 

[ageingpartyfiend]

The thing about beta blockers though is that they usually have to be taken every day.

Do they really? Is that the accepted wisdom?

Just wondering as I've known of a fair few people who have used propranolol successfully as and when required - but I'm relatively unaware of all things betablocker tbh (except that they tend to help with the physical effects of anxiety over the mental ones)

 

[rentedbythehour]

Do they really? Is that the accepted wisdom?

Just wondering as I've known of a fair few people who have used propranolol successfully as and when required - but I'm relatively unaware of all things betablocker tbh (except that they tend to help with the physical effects of anxiety over the mental ones)

I just remember when I worked in the operating room, beta blockers were the one medication that people could not skip. This was 10 years ago so maybe the thinking has changed since then. I just know it affects the heart and just stopping it can be dangerous.

 

[aokorn]

I just know it affects the heart and just stopping it can be dangerous.

As I said, I have been taking Bisoprolol for many years. About a year ago, I happened to take a statin for four days in a row by mistake instead of Bisoprolol, which was similar in shape, colour and size. It might have been in a different (similar) packaging, but due to my daily routine and the rush, I did not notice.

Somehow after two days I noticed that my heart was starting to beat faster and stronger, as if I was upset. I was going to go to the doctor. I thought to myself that something was seriously wrong with my heart. Well, on the fourth day, when it was very bad, I started to think what somehow it could be. And fortunately I remembered and kept taking the beta blocker.

In a short time the situation returned to normal.

 

[garygroundwork]

Propanalol my friend

 

[Jeanpauldash]

I dont mind a public of garbage as long as they stay in thier place

I would say a benzo

Or indifference...