Discussion Vain visit to GP?

[faust]

Hello, this thread is not about me, but about a person I know.
He has anxiety and performance anxiety, had some panic attacks and even stopped attending college because of those.
That person told me that Xanax and/or Propranolol was helping him much, so he was aiming for this medication.
I recommended the guy to go to psychiatrist, but seems that he wanted to save money and went to GP.

After telling GP about his problem, GP decided that patient is healthy and prescribed against panic attacks ... PILLS TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE
Have you ever taken beta blockers against anxiety, panic attacks?
I heard this type of medication is far from the primary treatment.
Update: that were regular pills decreasing blood pressure, not beta-blockers.
Can anybody relate?

 

[autumnal]

Beta-Blockers for Anxiety: Benefits, Side Effects, and Risks

Beta-blockers are a type of medication that's traditionally used to treat heart conditions. Sometimes, beta-blockers are prescribed for off-label use to help manage anxiety symptoms. We'll go over how beta-blockers affect anxiety, the types of anxiety they work best for, and how quickly you can...

www.healthline.com

 

[faust]

Beta-Blockers for Anxiety: Benefits, Side Effects, and Risks

Beta-blockers are a type of medication that's traditionally used to treat heart conditions. Sometimes, beta-blockers are prescribed for off-label use to help manage anxiety symptoms. We'll go over how beta-blockers affect anxiety, the types of anxiety they work best for, and how quickly you can...

www.healthline.com

Sorry, I asked again, that was not even a beta-blocker, that was a regular pill to lower blood pressure.

 

[Onlyborrowedtime]

Hello, this thread is not about me, but about a person I know.
He has anxiety and performance anxiety, had some panic attacks and even stopped attending college because of those.
That person told me that Xanax and/or Propranolol was helping him much, so he was aiming for this medication.
I recommended the guy to go to psychiatrist, but seems that he wanted to save money and went to GP.

After telling GP about his problem, GP decided that patient is healthy and prescribed against panic attacks ... PILLS TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE
Have you ever taken beta blockers against anxiety, panic attacks?
I heard this type of medication is far from the primary treatment.
Update: that were regular pills decreasing blood pressure, not beta-blockers.
Can anybody relate?

I think performance anxiety is kinda an unnecessary inclusion in that list.

While I've not had any experience with this, the GPs do have medical experience. How long as this person been on them? Has their been any improvement?

Anxiety is a mix of physical and mental symptoms. It doesn't seem that crazy that reducing the physical symptoms will improve the mental ones.

Surely he must of seen some health professionals already to get the Xanax/Propranolol. Ultimately if it doesn't work he can just go back and try again.

 

[faust]

I think performance anxiety is kinda an unnecessary inclusion in that list.

While I've not had any experience with this, the GPs do have medical experience. How long as this person been on them? Has their been any improvement?

Anxiety is a mix of physical and mental symptoms. It doesn't seem that crazy that reducing the physical symptoms will improve the mental ones.

Surely he must of seen some health professionals already to get the Xanax/Propranolol. Ultimately if it doesn't work he can just go back and try again.

Currently he is on medication, I am not doubting much about the short-term effect, but how about long-term?
When having a headache, I am often taking 2 pills of paracetamol+acetylsalicylic acid+caffeine and it somehow affects anxiety despite high caffeine content.
Though it is a just a short-term effect.
Trying to understand if there is any scientific basis behind prescribing pills to normalize blood pressure and treat anxiety/panic attacks.

 

[Onlyborrowedtime]

Currently he is on medication, I am not doubting much about the short-term effect, but how about long-term?
When having a headache, I am often taking 2 pills of paracetamol+acetylsalicylic acid+caffeine and it somehow affects anxiety despite high caffeine content.
Though it is a just a short-term effect.
Trying to understand if there is any scientific basis behind prescribing pills to normalize blood pressure and treat anxiety/panic attacks.

If he's already on Xanax then the are likely just treating his highblood pressure not his anxiety. The Xanax would already treat that. There is some evidence of blood pressure tablet's being used for performance anxiety (Viagra works by lowering your blood pressure).

I think you might be slightly confused. Caffeine is likely to increase anxiety hence why you'd feel the effects for a short time.

To be honest without knowing the conversation between your friend/partner/family member and the GP it's impossible to say what they are trying to do.

 

[faust]

If he's already on Xanax then the are likely just treating his highblood pressure not his anxiety. The Xanax would already treat that. There is some evidence of blood pressure tablet's being used for performance anxiety (Viagra works by lowering your blood pressure).

I think you might be slightly confused. Caffeine is likely to increase anxiety hence why you'd feel the effects for a short time.

To be honest without knowing the conversation between your friend/partner/family member and the GP it's impossible to say what they are trying to do.

No, he was taking xanax and propranolol before. Long ago. And it helped him much.
Concerning caffeine, yes, it does not make me feel more anxious in the amounts I take it.
And when I take a combo of paracetamol+acetylsalicylic acid+caffeine mixed in a tablet (130 mg of caffeine in 2 tablets, much more than in one 250ml Red Bull can), my anxiety is reduced.