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Suggest Treatment For Stage Fright

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Posted on Wed, 1 Oct 2014
Question: What is the treatment for stage fright ? I am suffering from stage fright. while giving a speech I am getting nervousness and my hands and legs starts shaking and too much weakness in legs. I had consulted Pshycologists, one doctor-Pshycologist advised me take Betacap tr 40 one tablet daily in the morning for five days and after that two tablets daily for fifteen days.
Another Pshycologist prescribed follwoing medicines- frisium 5 twice daily and Inderal 10 thrice daily for two days and these medicines should start from one day before the stage speech.

Kindly advice me which is best method to follow. I have not started any medicines so far.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
This is called social phobia

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.

What you described is called social phobia in medical parlance. This is common anxiety disorder found in 5-10 % of normal population.

This can be treated by both medications and psychotherapy. Among the medications inderal is good option but it does not cure the problem from the root and is effective as long as it is in your system. Once you stop it there is re emergence of symptoms in many of the cases.

If you belong to city which has qualified psychologist than behavior therapy is best kind of treatment. In most of the metro cities qualified psychologists are available and they have expertise in providing behaviour therapy (Please do not confuse psychologist with psychiatrist. Those who can prescribe medications legally are psychiatrists not the psychologists).

In case you belong to some small city than the treatment from psychiatrist is warranted. They have enough expertise and qualification to prescribe right medication. Please note than in case of severe symptoms help from both psychiatrist and psychologist is required. As I said earlier Inderal is one option but now days SSRI group of medications preferred over inderal because of better efficacy and low side effect profile. In my routine practice I prescribe tab Nexito plus 10 mg once a day. You can talk to your doctor to get the same prescription.


'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help".
Thanks


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (39 minutes later)
Sir,
In case of use of Inderal, what is the dose and frequency of dose ? I am having stage speech on 16th sept 2014 , in that case when I have to start the medicine? Please guide me.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Try before the public encounter

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for reverting back to me.

It can be used on the same day around two hour before but it is advisable to try before hand. It is commonly observed that patient develop sedation with this which results in decreased performance over stage despite reduction in social phobia. When you try it and develop sedation it is not a suitable option for you.
You need to weight both harms and benefits associated with inderal. For a single encounter 10 mg is enough but please make it sure to get your BP measured as it is associated with further lowering of blood pressure. If you have multiple encounters on the same day Betacap TR 40 mg is preferable as prescribed by your earlier psychiatrist.

Please note that Inderal is prescription drug and you should avoid it taking without prescription from a doctor. If you develop any side effect report immediately to your treating doctor.

Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
Thanks and regards
Dr Ashok
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (10 hours later)
Sir,
Another psychologist had prescribed me the following medicines
1. FRISIUM 5 twice daily for two days. (Morning - 1 tb and night- 1tb)
2. INDERAL 10 thrice daily for tow days (Morning - 1tb, afternoon - 1tb, night -1tb)

He asked me to start the above medicines one day before the stage speech.
Whether these medicines are beneficial (Inderal along with frisium) to overcome anxiety and stage fright ? Please guide me.

All my reports like TMT, ECHO, ECG, THYROIDS, LIPID PROFILE, SUGAR AND BP are normal.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes they are useful

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Welcome again at healthcaremagic.

Yes both set of medications are useful for social phobia and can be used for this purpose. Since frisium is a benzodiazepine class of medicine it is highly sedative and anxiolytic. Being anxiolytic is ok for social phobia but because of sedation it may bring sleep like inderal.
As suggested by your doctor start using before the final encounter on 16th September. You can start using three four days back so you do not develop sedation with this and become aware of side effects.
Thanks and regards
Dr Ashok
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3355 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Stage Fright

Brief Answer: This is called social phobia Detailed Answer: Dear XXXX, Thanks for using healthcaremagic. What you described is called social phobia in medical parlance. This is common anxiety disorder found in 5-10 % of normal population. This can be treated by both medications and psychotherapy. Among the medications inderal is good option but it does not cure the problem from the root and is effective as long as it is in your system. Once you stop it there is re emergence of symptoms in many of the cases. If you belong to city which has qualified psychologist than behavior therapy is best kind of treatment. In most of the metro cities qualified psychologists are available and they have expertise in providing behaviour therapy (Please do not confuse psychologist with psychiatrist. Those who can prescribe medications legally are psychiatrists not the psychologists). In case you belong to some small city than the treatment from psychiatrist is warranted. They have enough expertise and qualification to prescribe right medication. Please note than in case of severe symptoms help from both psychiatrist and psychologist is required. As I said earlier Inderal is one option but now days SSRI group of medications preferred over inderal because of better efficacy and low side effect profile. In my routine practice I prescribe tab Nexito plus 10 mg once a day. You can talk to your doctor to get the same prescription. 'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help". Thanks