Interview - bad anxiety

pd52

I've got an internal interview next week for promotion and I'm in a right state - usual anxiety symptoms, and a week away!! I know I can do the job and my compentncy examples are good. I'm dreading not being able to speak, having a panic attack and having to leave the room and ruining my chance of get5ignhis job.
I take citalopram 30mg daily for anxiety and see someone for cbt. I went to my GP and she gave me some beta blockers just for interview - propananol 80mg slow release but I'm worried about taking them due to side effects - dizziness etc . I do have some diazepam I use rarely (2mg maybe twice a year) and I'm thinking about having one of these instead to take the edge off.

Has anyone else used these for a situation like this before

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Listen to your GP. She knows what she's talking about - unlike ANYBODY online.

Good luck.

no1catman

Then instead - try -


http://www.bachflower.com/cure-negative-emotions-bach-flower-remedies/


- I've no idea how, but it does work, anybody who is prone to 'panic attacks' should have it, and useful for the occasional stressful event.


Good luck.

Flyonthewall

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Listen to your GP. She knows what she's talking about - unlike ANYBODY online.

Good luck.

I agree that your GP should know best. However, if you're really worried then the bach products mentioned below are a good option.

no1catman wrote: »

Then instead - try -


http://www.bachflower.com/cure-negative-emotions-bach-flower-remedies/

- I've no idea how, but it does work, anybody who is prone to 'panic attacks' should have it, and useful for the occasional stressful event.

Good luck.

There are numerous products and they all have great reviews.

On top of this I'd suggest doing what you can to relax. Lavendar is relaxing so maybe light a lavendar candle. Take a bath. Do things to take your mind off the interview. Exercise is also good for reducing anxiety. Also, make sure you're eating well, getting plenty of sleep and avoid too much sugar, alcohol and caffeine. There are plenty of little things you can do to reduce anxiety.

tomtontom

I find Bach flower remedies useless, more of a placebo effect than anything.

Have you enough propranolol to do a test run?

Blueskies21

I use propranolol and can recommend it. It doesn't give me any side effects and takes away all my physical anxiety. Inside your still nervous but physically totally calm so it helps the mental side.

Alikay

I suffer from situational anxiety myself, in interview and exam type situations (took me 7 driving test attempts to pass!) and have all the horrible physical symptoms: diarrhea, nausea, sweating, icy cold hands, poor vision, dizziness etc. Oddly, I haven't ever suffered from any general anxiety, just specific "testing" situations. For me, nothing works except possibly not really caring about the outcome, which isn't helpful if it's a job you actually want rather than one you're fairly indifferent about getting! I haven't been to my GP about it though, as I wasn't aware they could give anything that would help with such short-term yet acute anxiety.

I'd be inclined to give the one-off dose of beta blockers a try seeing as your GP knows your general health and the potential risks.

determined_new_ms

Ok aside from medication the things I find help me with interviews are:

* preparation well in advance. The more I think about likely questions and prepare answers the easier it is in the meeting to give an answer, there's nothing worse than being floored by a question and your mind refusing to work.

* acknowleding (briefly) you are feeling nervous can really help to settle the nervousness

* once I've done preparation in advance I then put it down the evening before/day of the interview and use the time to relax, listen to music I love LOUDLY and sing from the top of my lungs. I usually do this on the way to an interview

* the morning of an interview I spend a few minutes imagining myself in the interview feeling relaxed, chatting and there being an easy exchange between myself and the panel. I also visualise myself walking out of the meeting smiling and feeling relaxed and happy

I don't always do these things but notice a marked difference in my anxiety levels when I don't.

These are just some strategies I have found helpful over the years

anmarj

I got an interview for promotion as well next week, and had a bit of a panic attack today, but I have got some hypnotherpy tapes which I am going to listen to this weekend and swott up on my compentancies! Good luck for next week though x

cashewnut

I took propranolol before my driving test. Passed first time

pd52

tomtontom wrote: »

I find Bach flower remedies useless, more of a placebo effect than anything.

Have you enough propranolol to do a test run?

Not yet I was thinking of doing it possibly sat or Sunday