10-18-2016, 11:44 AM
I realise this thread has been quiet for a bit, but since Anamcara brought it back to life I thought I'd chip in. Even if it is too late for the OP, I think work related stress is a common issue so I'm sure this will be relevant to someone else...
Charon's point about beta blockers is a good one. I can confirm that many medical doctors use beta blockers for public talks. They are banned in sports like darts and snooker because they reduce any tremor in your hands brought on by anxiety/stress (so they could be an unfair advantage). In my own experience beta blockers kill the physical symptoms of anxiety (butterflies in stomach, sweaty hands, etc), but don't really affect you psychologically. I would definitely encourage someone with stress/anxiety to explore beta blockers before going to benzos. Besides, someone with work related stress could easily have hypertension / high blood pressure, which the beta blockers would treat. Not having the physical effects of anxiety, can help reduce your perceived level of anxiety. So for some people this really works very well and beta blockers offer a viable alternative to benzos.
My own relationship with diazepam is a Faustian pact. A doctor put me on benzos as a short term measure, but weeks became months, and then years. The real problem came when I moved, ended up with a new GP who freaked out when I asked for my "normal" diazepam - hence needing alternative sources on here. But diazepam has meant I managed to finish my PhD, and then hold down a stressful job. I'm not in sales, but do a lot of public speaking. I couldn't do that without some medical help. However, I suspect this can't continue forever - as I say, it is a Faustian pact (and deals with the devil don't end well). I'm rather obsessed with making sure I don't run out of diazepam and that has become a bit of an issue in itself. So read this as a cautionary tale.
Good luck.
Charon's point about beta blockers is a good one. I can confirm that many medical doctors use beta blockers for public talks. They are banned in sports like darts and snooker because they reduce any tremor in your hands brought on by anxiety/stress (so they could be an unfair advantage). In my own experience beta blockers kill the physical symptoms of anxiety (butterflies in stomach, sweaty hands, etc), but don't really affect you psychologically. I would definitely encourage someone with stress/anxiety to explore beta blockers before going to benzos. Besides, someone with work related stress could easily have hypertension / high blood pressure, which the beta blockers would treat. Not having the physical effects of anxiety, can help reduce your perceived level of anxiety. So for some people this really works very well and beta blockers offer a viable alternative to benzos.
My own relationship with diazepam is a Faustian pact. A doctor put me on benzos as a short term measure, but weeks became months, and then years. The real problem came when I moved, ended up with a new GP who freaked out when I asked for my "normal" diazepam - hence needing alternative sources on here. But diazepam has meant I managed to finish my PhD, and then hold down a stressful job. I'm not in sales, but do a lot of public speaking. I couldn't do that without some medical help. However, I suspect this can't continue forever - as I say, it is a Faustian pact (and deals with the devil don't end well). I'm rather obsessed with making sure I don't run out of diazepam and that has become a bit of an issue in itself. So read this as a cautionary tale.
Good luck.