Re: Propranolol Mental Side Affects.
Originally Posted by
Mimi1
I don't take antianxiety medication as it has had a really bad affect on me in the past, caused me to have psychosis etc.
What was the medication, a SSRI?
However I am researching the possibility of taking Propranolol to help with some of the physical affects of panic and wanted to know if it can or does have any impact on you mentally, as in will it make my anxiety worse, cause psychosis etc or make me feel worse than I do now mentally?
It should have little if any impact on the brain. The beta-blockers block adrenaline, aka epinephrine, from binding to beta-adrenergic receptors which diminishes the adrenaline surge of the flight-or-fight response during panic attacks. Unlike antidepressants and the cognitive, behavioural (CBT, REBT, etc) and mindfulness therapies, they have no direct effect on the parts of the brain which manifest anxiety (and also depression).
The most common propranolol side-effects are fatigue and sedation.
I am terrified of taking new meds, sometimes I'm even scared of taking nurofen or paracetamol, so I want to be fully informed before I speak to my GP about them.
Unfortunately, many of us get pill phobia as a freebie with the primary anxiety disorder. Anxious minds can be very adept at producing our worst side-effects nightmares if given half a chance so any side-effects you experience may not necessarily be caused by the med.
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The opinions expressed above are based on my observations and, where applicable, interpretation of cited data and are general in nature. Consult your physician before acting on anything stated.