Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am 33 years old and I work in sales. I have recently started to have panic attacks, being caught very unaware one day during a presentation it started. My heart sank then started to beat faster, my breathing became erratic, I felt sick etc. I had somebody with me who took over the presentaion and about 10 minutes later I resumed. The attacks are becomeing more frequent, probably as a result of the first one, I am now anxious that they will return to haunt me everytime I do a presentation – therefore that makes me more anxious! My last one was on Friday, infront of about 10 colleagues. I present to them every week and this week, my body kicks in with a PA – WHY? What can I do? Are there any tried and tested methods? My doc has put me on beta blockers to stop the pattern – is this OK? I am off work at the moment, feeling a little depressed and wondering how I can resume my career in sales if I can’t stand and present my wares, not knowing when this will strike again. I have worked in sales for 15 years and by my own reckoning have been pretty confident until now.
Hi Graham, Welcome to ASAP! It sounds like you are having panic attacks only when giving presentations….. beta blockers can be quite effective for that. Something else you might want to look into is cognitive behavioral therapy, this therapy combined with medication can really help. Last but not least…….here is a link for Toastmasters. Toastmasters, which has clubs all over the world, can help you overcome your fear of public speaking. http://www.toastmasters.org.uk/ Take care 
Jackie
Response:
I take paxil and klopin for the panic attacks So far, both have been working for me. No panic attacks-you might as your doctor about klopin. Good luck. If
Response:
I am 33 years old and I work in sales. I have recently started to have panic attacks, being caught very unaware one day during a presentation it started.
If you’ve been giving presentations in the past, with no problems, … well…. read on…. The attacks are becomeing more frequent, probably as a result of the first one, I am now anxious that they will return to haunt me everytime I do a presentation – therefore that makes me more anxious!
They only revolve around presentations? or other situations as well? My last one was on Friday, infront of about 10 colleagues. I present to them every week and this week, my body kicks in with a PA – WHY?
Don’t know. It could be that panic got triggered, and once it is, it can stick around – as in panic disorder. I’ve been in sales for over 30 years, but my first attack had nothing to do with sales, presentations or the like. It changed me however, in what I was able to do and not do – at that time. What can I do? Are there any tried and tested methods? My doc has put me on beta blockers to stop the pattern – is this OK?
Beta blockers are mainly used for "day of presentation" – and work quite effectively for that. For every day, however, that’s not really the correct medication. I am off work at the moment, feeling a little depressed and wondering how I can resume my career in sales if I can’t stand and present my wares, not knowing when this will strike again. I have worked in sales for 15 years and by my own reckoning have been pretty confident until now.
Same here, really. By the numbers. 1/ See a doc for a "complete" physical exam, to rule out any and all reasons that may better account for this. There are several that can mimic panic. 2/ If all is clear, then you’ll need to find a "specialist" in anxiety disorders, both for possible medications and a therapist trained in CBT. Not an easy task in either, as I understand, in the U.K. Best to at least educate yourself as best you can. See: http://panicdisorder.about.com/cs/panicdisorder/index.htm http://www.mentalhealth.com/ (check the panic disorder links) http://panicdisorder.about.com/mbiopage.htm?once=true& http://www.anxiety-panic.com/ http://www.cognitivetherapy.com/ http://www.rebt.org/ http://panicdisorder.about.com/cs/shbreathing/ http://panicdisorder.about.com/cs/shrelaxation/ You’re not alone… — Sloopy:)
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Yeah….I’ve suffered from the same type of onset. I used to be very confident in my abilities, then, last month I started having anxiety and panic during my day. I guess I’ve always had a level of anxiety when subject to the front stage, but last month was an indicator to me that something had to be done about this. It could’ve been prompted, in part, by a new job that I have. Now I am aware of this dis-ease in myself and have undergone some investigation here in this newsgroup. There is much good advice here in dealing with anxiety.
Gee, I never new "disease" was two words!! WOW!! However, I rely on the TRUTH to set me free of my disease. There are feelings and then there is TRUTH. When I feel myself become anxious, I immediately enter prayer before the throne of God and ask him to put His hand on my head and heal me and bring me His peace. I know that He hears me becasue I’ve read His word and know that it TRUE. He will hear those who call on His name with a broken and contrite heart. That is the TRUTH!
Oh, yea.. right!! What ever dog, whatever. Jeff. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ~Tom Hello and help. I am 33 years old and I work in sales. I have recently started to have panic attacks, being caught very unaware one day during a presentation it started. My heart sank then started to beat faster, my breathing became erratic, I felt sick etc. I had somebody with me who took over the presentaion and about 10 minutes later I resumed. The attacks are becomeing more frequent, probably as a result of the first one, I am now anxious that they will return to haunt me everytime I do a presentation – therefore that makes me more anxious! My last one was on Friday, infront of about 10 colleagues. I present to them every week and this week, my body kicks in with a PA – WHY? What can I do? Are there any tried and tested methods? My doc has put me on beta blockers to stop the pattern – is this OK? I am off work at the moment, feeling a little depressed and wondering how I can resume my career in sales if I can’t stand and present my wares, not knowing when this will strike again. I have worked in sales for 15 years and by my own reckoning have been pretty confident until now. Any help would be greatfully received. Graham
Response:
Yeah….I’ve suffered from the same type of onset. I used to be very confident in my abilities, then, last month I started having anxiety and panic during my day. I guess I’ve always had a level of anxiety when subject to the front stage, but last month was an indicator to me that something had to be done about this. It could’ve been prompted, in part, by a new job that I have. Now I am aware of this dis-ease in myself and have undergone some investigation here in this newsgroup. There is much good advice here in dealing with anxiety. However, I rely on the TRUTH to set me free of my disease. There are feelings and then there is TRUTH. When I feel myself become anxious, I immediately enter prayer before the throne of God and ask him to put His hand on my head and heal me and bring me His peace. I know that He hears me becasue I’ve read His word and know that it TRUE. He will hear those who call on His name with a broken and contrite heart. That is the TRUTH! ~Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello and help. I am 33 years old and I work in sales. I have recently started to have panic attacks, being caught very unaware one day during a presentation it started. My heart sank then started to beat faster, my breathing became erratic, I felt sick etc. I had somebody with me who took over the presentaion and about 10 minutes later I resumed. The attacks are becomeing more frequent, probably as a result of the first one, I am now anxious that they will return to haunt me everytime I do a presentation – therefore that makes me more anxious! My last one was on Friday, infront of about 10 colleagues. I present to them every week and this week, my body kicks in with a PA – WHY? What can I do? Are there any tried and tested methods? My doc has put me on beta blockers to stop the pattern – is this OK? I am off work at the moment, feeling a little depressed and wondering how I can resume my career in sales if I can’t stand and present my wares, not knowing when this will strike again. I have worked in sales for 15 years and by my own reckoning have been pretty confident until now. Any help would be greatfully received. Graham
Response:
Graham, Beta Blockers help to reduce the physical symptoms but do nothing for the psychological symptoms. I had the same problem and my doctor was happy to give a combination of Oxprenenol and Oxazepam to be taken about an hour before giving an important presentation. This worked well for me. I did a formal presentation skills course but it did not help to reduce the anxiety. Glynn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello and help. I am 33 years old and I work in sales. I have recently started to have panic attacks, being caught very unaware one day during a presentation it started. My heart sank then started to beat faster, my breathing became erratic, I felt sick etc. I had somebody with me who took over the presentaion and about 10 minutes later I resumed. The attacks are becomeing more frequent, probably as a result of the first one, I am now anxious that they will return to haunt me everytime I do a presentation – therefore that makes me more anxious! My last one was on Friday, infront of about 10 colleagues. I present to them every week and this week, my body kicks in with a PA – WHY? What can I do? Are there any tried and tested methods? My doc has put me on beta blockers to stop the pattern – is this OK? I am off work at the moment, feeling a little depressed and wondering how I can resume my career in sales if I can’t stand and present my wares, not knowing when this will strike again. I have worked in sales for 15 years and by my own reckoning have been pretty confident until now. Any help would be greatfully received. Graham
Response:
Hello and help. I am 33 years old and I work in sales. I have recently started to have panic attacks, being caught very unaware one day during a presentation it started. My heart sank then started to beat faster, my breathing became erratic, I felt sick etc. I had somebody with me who took over the presentaion and about 10 minutes later I resumed. The attacks are becomeing more frequent, probably as a result of the first one, I am now anxious that they will return to haunt me everytime I do a presentation – therefore that makes me more anxious! My last one was on Friday, infront of about 10 colleagues. I present to them every week and this week, my body kicks in with a PA – WHY? What can I do? Are there any tried and tested methods? My doc has put me on beta blockers to stop the pattern – is this OK? I am off work at the moment, feeling a little depressed and wondering how I can resume my career in sales if I can’t stand and present my wares, not knowing when this will strike again. I have worked in sales for 15 years and by my own reckoning have been pretty confident until now. Any help would be greatfully received. Graham
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