Anxiety
Anxiety is that uncomfortable feeling you get when you're worried about things that are coming up or might happen in the future. It's a completely normal response, like feeling nervous before an interview or a medical test and usually nothing to be concerned about. However, for some people, these worries can become hard to control and constant, affecting daily life and sometimes leading to panic attacks. If this sounds like you, remember you're not alone, and it's okay to seek help.
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Advice for Anxiety
What is Performance Anxiety?
Performance anxiety (also known as situational anxiety) relates to any situation in which you feel anxious when performing. This doesn’t exclusively mean performing in front of an audience or crowd, as it can apply to perform a relatively simple task in public. This anxiety usually stems from a belief of not being able to perform the task adequately, and then being judged negatively by others as a result.
Performance anxiety is a common condition, which is often classified as a social phobia. Performance anxiety or ‘stage fright’ can affect a wide array of people, including; surgeons, actors, athletes, students, pilots, and public speakers.
While most people will feel a level of anxiety when performing in public, for those with performance anxiety, this trepidation is intensified to the extent that the performer is intensely mindful of humiliation, embarrassment, and public scrutiny. This fear can cause the sufferer to freeze, making them unable to perform the task at hand.
Performance anxiety has led some sufferers to abandon successful careers. In other cases, sufferers may choose to self-medicate with alcohol or recreational drugs.
What are the symptoms of Performance Anxiety?
When you’re anxious or stressed, your body releases hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones result in physical symptoms of anxiety. The most common physical symptoms of performance anxiety include;
- Heart palpitations
- Heavy sweating
- Feeling sick
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling faint
- Trembling
- Blushing
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Hyperventilation
- Dry mouth
These physical symptoms will often lead to secondary psychological symptoms, which can include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Being irritable and on edge
- Feeling more alert
- An inability to relax
Anxiety can be caused by various conditions, such as panic disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder. If these symptoms occur on a regular basis or if you are unsure as to what’s causing your anxiety, speak with your doctor.
How is Performance Anxiety diagnosed?
A small amount of anxiety usually doesn’t cause any problems for most people. For
Long-term or severe
Before opting for treatment it will be necessary to be diagnosed by your doctor. This evaluation will help look for any contributing causes of your anxiety symptoms. This can include:
- Asthma
- Heart abnormalities
- Low blood sugars
- Thyroid problems
- Mental disorders
- Alcohol withdrawer
- Use of stimulating substances, such as caffeine and nicotine
It is advised to discuss with your doctor about all the potential causes and available treatments for your anxiety. Your GP will likely recommend trying non-drug approaches before opting for a medicinal treatment, such as beta-blockers. Using a beta-blocker should only be considered after all the potential risks and benefits have been thoroughly explained to you.
How is Performance Anxiety treated?
Before opting to treat performance anxiety with medication, it may be recommended to attempt non-drug approaches first. This can include cognitive behaviour techniques that aim to help the sufferer manage their performance anxiety. These techniques can include performance practice, as the associated anxiety may stem from not having mastered the required skills. Meditation is another technique that, for some, has proved beneficial. It works by clearing the mind and regulating breathing.
You can also consider using online mental health services, which, in some cases, are available on the NHS. To find out more ask your GP or mental health professional for further information.
If these techniques prove unsuccessful, using the beta-blocker
If taken an hour before performing, Propranolol will reliably ease symptoms, such as a pounding heart, and trembling voice or hands.
Other beta-blockers are not appropriate for use to help treat performance anxiety as they work in a different way, making them less effective.
If using Propranolol to treat performance anxiety, the risk of experiencing side effects is low. This is due to the medication only being used intermittently and at lower doses when compared with treating other conditions.
Can Performance Anxiety be prevented?
Preventing performance anxiety isn’t always possible. However, practising non-medicinal cognitive behaviour techniques is often the most effective form of prevention.
Cognitive
If the anxiety relates to a lack of confidence, practising the upcoming performance will help build confidence and reduce the associated anxiety. As your confidence builds, begin to introduce a small audience into your practice by using friends or family.
Using breathing techniques and meditation will relax the body and mind, which will help lower your heart rate and control your breathing. Performance anxiety can be
Alternatives
Non-medicinal alternatives to treat anxiety
- Stress and Relaxation Techniques: Relaxation techniques can produce moderate short-term reduction of anxiety in people with long term health problems. These techniques have been shown to be effective for older adults suffering with anxiety.
- Meditation: Some evidence suggests that meditation can be useful for symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults.
- Yoga: Yoga, which is a combination of physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and a distinct philosophy, is one of the top ten practices of CAM (complementary and alternative medicine). It may also help reduce anxiety and depression.
- Acupuncture: Evidence for the use of acupuncture, a Chinese practice of inserting needles into the body at specific points to manipulates the body's flow of energy — to treat anxiety disorders is becoming much more common.
You could also try "talking therapy" speak to your GP and they can let you know what's available locally to you and help decide which treatment would be most effective for you.
Non-prescription alternate treatments:
There are many over the counter products that you can purchase at your pharmacy. Some include; Kalms, Rescue Remedy and even vitamins such as St. John's Wort.
Guides for Anxiety
What Is Anxiety? An Overview of Anxiety
How To Help Someone With Anxiety
What Is Mental Health?
Types of Anxiety: The Main 5 Types & How To Manage Them
Mental Health Disorders: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments of Common Mental Health Problems
How To Improve Mental Health: Looking After Your Wellbeing
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