beta blockers for anxiety?

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I am a nursing student...I have done great with everything they have thrown at me so far and I even do well in clinical and do not really get nervous (not to the point where I can't function anyway). The bane of my existence seems to be checkoffs in school...they just about make me sick. It's not because I am not prepared, I practice until I can do it in my sleep. But there's something about the checkoff scenario that panics me and I feel like my brain is almost paralyzed.

I am wondering if taking beta blockers to ease this anxiety is in any way wrong, unethical, immoral, etc. as a nursing student, or if it would be bad to take them medically as well. This is actually something that was suggested to me by RNs.

Any thoughts? And please be kind...I am asking this earnestly as I do not know what is right or acceptable in this situation. Also ANY other hints or suggestions as to what I can do to get through these situations would be appreciated. I feel like if it weren't for the checkoffs, I might actually ENJOY school :o

it's my understanding that the medication targets things like the shakes, a racing heart rate and so on - that are caused by anxiety. They don't actually erase the anxiety and act differently to anti-anxiety agents like benzos.

my psych np explained its (beta blocker) actions as basically saying that the adrenaline surge is interrupted.

and after briefly using benzos for anxiety, i'd take my inderal any day over anything else.

if it doesn't totally erase the anxiety, it certainly feels like it does...

w/o the sedating effects.

leslie

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You have every right to take something and I recommend it I wish I would have taken something in school but I waited until the 3 weeks leading up to boards and really wish I had started sooner. I also was able to quit when I passed boards. Dont let anyone make you feel like your less of a person we cant always control how or bodies react. Go for it and good luck !!!!!!!

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Specializes in Telehealth, Hospice and Palliative Care.

I agree they are a useful, occassional, non-addicitive tool that can be safely used to deal with stressful situations.

I tend toward hypotension/syncope anyway, and atenolol has been a great tool to help me manage this in medical situations. I don't take them very often anymore...just in situations where I may be standing still and under stress for an extended period, as in surgery.

My physician precribed them after I fainted three times in one day while scrubbed in as first assistant. After a lengthy exam and tests to rule out other causes, she said my BP goes up with the stress, then crashes, then I go down, and the atenolol interrupts that cycle by blocking the sympathetic response. I have happily remained upright ever since.

And I do think it is also helpful to envision them calming, soothing, and giving confidence...the placebo effect might be worth just as much!

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Specializes in Telehealth, Hospice and Palliative Care.

I should also add that my MD said that many of his fellow med school students took them prior to big presentations, speeches, etc.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

OP, nothing wrong with treating your anxiety--it's your right!

I have been taking low dose Atenolol for anxiety off and on for about a year. I take it for situational anxiety (standardized tests, etc) so I'll take it for like 3 days in a row leading up to the event. I requested beta blockers over benzos for my anxiety d/t my fear of taking something with addictive properties bc of substance abuse issues in my family. I'm satisfied with how it works...as the sympathetic response is what generally tends to freak me out more and make my anxiety worse in a given situation. HTH.

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Fascinating discussion...something I have long considered, didn't know was prevalent in nursing circles.

My particular bug-a-boo is shaky hands; starting IVs on neonates is hard enough without that to deal with. I've tried other routes, e.g. eliminating stimulant usage, making sure my blood sugar was fine, deep breathing/calming,etc.

The beta-blockers address the physical symptoms, correct? This is what I am looking for primarily. I seem to outwardly handle stressful situations well, have actually been complimented on how calm and controlled I am during situations like codes. Which I find ironic, as I am not only roiling inside, but useless for anything requiring fine manual dexterity (e.g. fast IV starts, drawing meds from vials/ampules,etc).

This is why I have generally steered away from requesting benzos for anxiolysis; I don't want to sedate myself any, just manage the physical responses. Would be very interested in hearing more experiences from those of you who take beta blockers for this purpose.

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

I will prescribe atenolol for "performance anxiety" situations. I think it works well (from personal and professional experience), and avoids all the issues that go along with taking benzos. Definitely talk to your provider about it.

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Specializes in Psych.

Wow...thanks for all the replies.

I would not consider taking benzos due to the well-known issues with those. If they were my only choice I guess I'd just suffer :crying2:

I will try and talk to a provider about atenolol.

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Specializes in Clinicals in Med-Surg., OB, CCU, ICU.

Beta blockers can assist with anxiety, due to the fact it slows down the heart rate and cuts out the sympathetic response of the hormones released by the adrenals. Blah, Blah, Blah...I have heard stories of medical students taking beta blockers. I have also have seen a beta blocker as part of the drug treatment for a schizophrenic patient. Discuss what you know about the medication with your doctor, but one should also be open to possible alternatives. Depending upon what is causing your anxiety I have heard individuals can benefit from specific SSRI antidepressants to combat their anxiety. I would also encourage you to seek the services of the counseling services offered by your school, which through even a short period of time you might be able to pinpoint your particular triggers for your anxiety. And, like a broken record, exercise can also assist one...and not taking in caffeine.:smokin: Good luck and hang in there.....

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Specializes in hospice, ortho,clinical review.

You may want to read up on l-theanine. (suntheanine)

It's been a Godsend for me. It works like Xanax w/o all the side effects or dependency. I refused to take anything long term , and especially didn't want pharma meds...sometimes they have their place but anyway...When my doctor wanted to try some heavy duty things, I searched for natural alternatives. It's hallmark is taking the edge off but keeping you focused. It's a natural derivative of green tea. Apparently the Japenese even put it in chewing gum.

When I was in school I had major anxiety taking the exams so I understand the not wanting something for always when you're coping in other parts of your life.

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I will prescribe atenolol for "performance anxiety" situations. I think it works well (from personal and professional experience), and avoids all the issues that go along with taking benzos. Definitely talk to your provider about it.

I am fortunate in having a NP for PCP who will generally write me for whatever I want. I am currently battling a nasty low-back injury and am on a cocktail of drugs, so I may wait until this is under control before bringing up the beta-blockers. Although, if chronic stress is contributing to the chronic muscle spasm, it might be appropriate after all.

Thanks again for the tips.

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