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RE: beta blockers - for Paul

Author: Greg
Date: 1999-08-20 17:42

Yes Paul - I too share your concern for aspiring musicians (of any age) who look to this BBS for opinions on such important issues as performance anxiety.

I have carefully reread your post and have to say that the impression I get still worries me for these reasons:

The assertion that excessive performance anxiety (stage fright) is a non medical condition not needing drug treatment and that one should only use drugs to "literally keep your life" - stay alive as I understand it.

The assertion that the two ways to conquer excessive performance anxiety were to learn to control ones thought processes.

My disagreement with you is wholly on the first part and partially on the second.

I have already stated my disagreement about the first part in a prior post but do agree with you that the thought processes are extremely important in controlling performance anxiety. I use techniques successfully on a daily basis for music performance as well as for daily life stresses.

I am concerned though that musicians will accept this as the only way to control their performance anxiety for fear of taking any form of drug.....a drug that would compliment thinking techniques that have been proven so successful that an entire branch of psychology is devoted to teaching it!

I am also concerned that musicians with cases that are chronic or so severe that it impedes their ability to reach their goals will write the problem off as their fault (as several posts in this thread reveal) when there may be a biological problem that no thought process can overcome. These are the people that can especially benefit from these drugs and are the ones that need encouragement to seek assistance. These are the ones who most definitely have a medical condition......many times diagnosed as a social phobia.

As always these forums are healthy for friends and aquaintances alike to share knowledge in hopes of further enlightenment. I certainally find the experience stimulating but so far anyway, not particularly stressfull.
I certainly hope that you find the same.
Greg Smith

paul wrote:
-------------------------------
Greg:

I have to tip my hat to you for your expertise in music, especially on the clarinet. This BBS is truly blessed with your active participation, even if and when it is somewhat stressful as these series of postings seem to be. That's what differentiates friends from acquaintences.

With that said, please take the time to reread my posting and put it into context. I made a concerted effort to understand the need for prescription drugs, no matter what the circumstance or condition (physical or mental). I refuse to judge others' needs, for I am neither a doctor nor a judge. Rather, I was trying to make a very open plea for the minors who peruse this BBS to carefully consider their choices in life, especially when it comes to drugs (of ANY kind, caffiene and alcohol included). If they have a valid need for any drug, even if it's over the counter, they should consult their parents and their doctor first.

Again, please understand my position. Yes, I readily admitted that I am extremely conservative towards any and all drugs. That's fine. You see, I am not only a military veteran who saw illicit drugs as "the enemy", I am also professionally involved with the K-12 education industry in my current position. They too see illicit drugs as "the enemy".

Please send me an EMail if you would like to see point-by-point where we agree and disagree on this subject. You might be surprised at the answer.

Respectfully,

paul

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