Brief Answer:
you have some anxiety problem

Detailed Answer:
Hello Young man,

Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

The symptoms you mentioned, heart beats out of control, sweaty hands, stomach turning in side out, my cheeks tighten up, shaky hands, and most of all a trembling voice, are all suggestive of panic episode of anxiety.
You were speaking to group and you had episode so in your mind association between your symptoms and presence of group has been formed.When you are again in a group or with people that association starts your sympathetic system to be active which is responsible for anxiety features.

No need to worry at this point much.From here two possibilities:
1. Due to anxiety if you feel discomfort and starts avoiding to be in group or making presentation, your problem will worsen.So please do not avoid.As in any anxiety disorder if you avoid , problem will come behind you and if you fight with , problem will run away.

2.Though you feel anxiety in a group, if you continue to be more and more in group and continue making presentations, your problem will gradually run away.Initially you may feel discomfort due to anxiety features but as you try more they will also reduced.(Simply experience makes the man perfect).


To get rid of your anxiety during specific situation you can have medicine-propranolol just before an hour as it will control your physical features of anxiety.

If your anxiety is so more and disturbing you most of the days and making some impairment in your occupational or social life, you should consult a psychiatrist once for evaluation.It can be treated with medicines and/or psychotherapy.

In medicines SSRI group of medicines and anti anxiety benzodiazepienes would be useful.
In psychotherapy specifically CBT(Cognitive Behavior Therapy) is quite effective.

So, if you can tell me,"Since when you have this problem and how it affects your life (severity)?" I can throw more light specifically.

Hope I have answered your query, will be happy to answer again.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

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Brief Answer:
Please do not use alcohol or caffeine

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for follow up.

Your narration it self suggest that you mostly have social anxiety disorder.And treatment for the same is available. You just to need consult a psychiatrist for that.

In terms of medicines If I were your treating doctor, I prefer paroxetine CR(12.5) to start with and also some anti anxiety medicines like clonazepam or etizolam for initial help depending upon severity.
CBT would sure help.If you are good motivated and your therapist is well at CBT therapy, you may not need medicines at all(however for that your problem should be mild to moderate).
Both options, what I mentioned, can be applied simultaneously also so medicines can be stopped early.

Caffeine is useful in normal people when they are tired or stressed.It make them awake by changes in nervous system. However if person is already anxious or over stressed, it is like adding fuel to anxiety symptoms.So please do not use for your problem.

Alcohol is brain depressant so initially it causes help through relaxing your brain in terms of thoughts and anxiety symptoms.But when effect of alcohol ceases, symptoms rebound back and causes more problem and frustration. So overall it worsens anxiety disorder.So please do not use alcohol also.

Metoprolol can be used for anxiety but it is mainly used for cardiac problem.We generally prefer propranolol.

Hope I have answered your query,
All the best,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

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