An unlikely byproduct of theOscars red-carpet coveragelast Sunday?
And she isnt the only one.
It seems theres a growing realization that anxiety andpanic attacksoften present with the same physical symptoms.
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My friend Emmie said they help soothe herhangxietyafter a night of one too many martinis.
My body doesnt go into fight-or-flight mode.
Not everyone had the same experience, however.
I found that because I am already so body aware, it was just really uncomfortable, she says.
I could feel my entire body revving up for a panic attack but my heart was beating very slowly.
It was like having a foreign heart in my chest.
What are beta blockers?
Theyre also often used totreat people with essential tremor, and certain medications can treat migraines and glaucoma.
When it comes to treating anxiety, youll likely be prescribed a non-selective beta blocker like propranolol.
How do beta blockers work?
There are beta 1 receptors on the heart and beta 2 receptors on the lungs, she says.
It decreases the strength of the contractions of the heart.
In doing so, it lowers your blood pressure because it reduces the oxygen demand of the heart.
Beta blockers can help lessen those effects.
Can beta blockers be used for anxiety?
The reason that happens is because the mind-body connection is real.
Beta blockers can dampen the response your body is having when presented with an anxiety-inducing situation.
Beta blockers can be an attractive alternative to SSRIs or benzodiazepines like Xanax for a couple of reasons.
Dr. Joseph makes an interesting point that its great for people who like to drink alcohol.
With beta blockers, youre trying to aid and support a person with something situational, says Dr. Joseph.
If youre anxious all the time or have generalized anxiety, beta blockers dont support that.
However, beta blockers can be taken in conjunction with other antianxiety medications.
So youre getting dual support, but you cant swap one out for the other.
What are the risks of using beta blockers for anxiety?
confirm you are being very transparent with your physician about your medical history, says Dr. Morgan.
I think sometimes people are looking for quick fixes, says Dr. Morgan.
That would not be my first choice for managing [anxiety].
Thats not really a long-term strategy in my book.
Dr. Haider echoes the sentiment about beta blockers as a long-term solution.
Were not targeting the brain, which is where the anxiety is coming from, he says.
We are just blunting some of the symptoms of the anxiety.
She emphasizes the importance of using breath to manage that panic response.
The reason that we have that function is for survival.
Our bodies have the potential to calm ourselves naturally by using breathing.
Id like to formallydisagree with Miss Sennott: Numb is very much not in.
