Using Ativan/anti-anxiety drugs for tests

[KLCarp]

@Samigator;5508277

I would. It makes me drowsy. One day I took Benadryl because I had a rash, I think I only took 25mg. But my mother in law called about an hour after I took it and I was completely incoherent and didn’t remember talking to her the next day. probably shouldn’t be driving in a state like that, I might forget what a red light means.

I was about to post the same. Benedryl is tricky for me. Sometimes i can take it and im just a little sleepy…othertimes im full blown out of it, and can barely get off the couch. Its a night time only type of pill for me, but ive found other ways to manage allergies. Im pretty sensitive to medication all in all, so im extra careful about what i put in the system.

So show story - my best friend had HUGE nerves before shows…like would be throwing up off the side of the horse nervous. With her last horse she would do half a xanax and it helped (i think it was a xanax…) but with her new horse? Not a problem. Maybe something about the training/preperation of the rider/match of horse and rider would help the nerves more so than the magic pills?

[Tudor]

Can anyone recommend any good sports psychology articles/videos or techniques?

I’m not saying this is better than benzos or beta blockers, but just one more resource for those with anxiety.

[sorrelfilly721]

Removed: Apparently Xanax is legal for participants LOL

[Gayla]

Anyone looking for a good sports psychology coach should send me a private message for contact info. There is no advertising on here.

[JackSprats_Mom]

Didn’t read all this posts but I have used Valium for flying and it works a charm.

That said it does take the ‘edge’ off of riding which is not necessarily the best in the long run.

My advice would be use it, for a few shows, realize you wont die by showing/nerves, then you can show without.

[elinasmith]

It has side effects also…

[Montanas_Girl]

Spam post reported.

That said, I’m glad the topic itself has come back up. After some very bad show ring experiences, I used to get so nervous before my jumping rounds that I would vomit, sometimes for days ahead of time. Since I also have a (diagnosed) phobia of vomiting, the anxiety would be compounded. On top of that, I would also get anxious out of frustration because I desperately WANTED to be able to show over fences but couldn’t get past the mental block. I started taking Dramamine or Benadryl prior to shows in college to prevent the nausea in hopes of having enough positive experiences to get past the anxiety. What I found was that these medications also had the side effect of reducing my adrenaline, thereby improving my overall experience (and my horse’s, as he always fed off my anxiety) in the show ring. On a normal day, either of those medications will put me soundly to sleep. On a show day, though, I was so amped up that they simply settled me back down to a normal level of human functioning. Eventually, after many more positive experiences, my anxiety level decreased. I never would have been able to get to that point, however, if I hadn’t been able to get the nausea under control.

Needing a little help to get over a serious anxiety issue is nothing to be ashamed of. I do think it’s important to work to develop coping mechanisms, but sometimes that can’t be accomplished without medical help to reduce the physical manifestations of anxiety.

[Scribbler]

Interesting. So there is no anti-drug rules for riders, only horses?

[Shagyas_Rock]

I am a therapist also, and I realize that benzos have their place, but they are only meant to be temporary (for example, to help an agoraphobic person get out of the house so as to keep an appointment or to prevent a psychotic individual from harming herself or others) but they will never be a permanent solution to anxiety. Bezos can only cover up anxiety - similar to a shot of whiskey - then they wear off and nothing has actually changed for the anxiety sufferer. Plus they are addictive and if used frequently, tolerance develops and then more of the drug is needed to achieve the same affect.

I realize full well how crippling some people’s anxiety can be, but it is also possible to overcome it with a good therapist and cognitive behavioral therapy. It’s not easy - it takes a lot of work and commitment - but learning to face your fears will always be the healthier choice in the long run, then avoiding them - and benzos essentially aids in avoidance.

I have show nerves too. . . I use the techniques I use in treating others on myself. It works. Maybe not instantly - but overcoming anxiety is a little like overcoming training issues. It takes time.

[hoopoe]

yes at elite ( Olympic) levels there are drug testing rules. Outside that no not at the national level. That said I certainly would not put the chemical in to cope with show nerves. A certain amount of nerves are normal. learn to cope with them and push yourself to get out as much as possible

[JLR1]

Better living through chemistry:cool:

[SendenHorse]

The OP is from 2011, do you have any updates for us?

[SendenHorse]

Pressure Proof your riding is one very good book, there are many others too. And meditation! and don’t eat crap food- a blood sugar spike or lag can mimic anxiety/contribute to it.

[kcmel]

@hoopoe

yes at elite ( Olympic) levels there are drug testing rules. Outside that no not at the national level. That said I certainly would not put the chemical in to cope with show nerves. A certain amount of nerves are normal. learn to cope with them and push yourself to get out as much as possible

At all CDIs there are drug rules/testing.

[hoopoe]

Yes FEI sanctioned events ( CDI) are elite level competitions and are subject to human drug rules

[BigMama1]

@Montanas_Girl

Spam post reported.

That said, I’m glad the topic itself has come back up. After some very bad show ring experiences, I used to get so nervous before my jumping rounds that I would vomit, sometimes for days ahead of time. Since I also have a (diagnosed) phobia of vomiting, the anxiety would be compounded. On top of that, I would also get anxious out of frustration because I desperately WANTED to be able to show over fences but couldn’t get past the mental block. I started taking Dramamine or Benadryl prior to shows in college to prevent the nausea in hopes of having enough positive experiences to get past the anxiety. What I found was that these medications also had the side effect of reducing my adrenaline, thereby improving my overall experience (and my horse’s, as he always fed off my anxiety) in the show ring. On a normal day, either of those medications will put me soundly to sleep. On a show day, though, I was so amped up that they simply settled me back down to a normal level of human functioning. Eventually, after many more positive experiences, my anxiety level decreased. I never would have been able to get to that point, however, if I hadn’t been able to get the nausea under control.

Needing a little help to get over a serious anxiety issue is nothing to be ashamed of. I do think it’s important to work to develop coping mechanisms, but sometimes that can’t be accomplished without medical help to reduce the physical manifestations of anxiety.

Agree 100% that if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety issue and prescribed these drugs, using them is appropriate in the short term and should help resolve show ring anxiety in the long term. That being said, they can dull your reaction time and reflexes, which could be dangerous in some circumstances so just be aware of the risk

[kittensRcute]

I wouldn’t start on benzodiazapines for the sake of riding in are horse show. That class of drugs is extremely addictive and withdrawal from them can cause seizures. That said I would be less concerned if you are over the age of 25 as studies show that if you are over the age of 25 before you start taking a controlled substance you have a much lower risk if addiction. I would start with 30 minutes a day of meditation in order to manage anxiety and if that doesn’t work I would consider trying a beta blocker.

[rockonxox]

I was taking a benzo for panic attacks. I was also working with a therapist. I was able to work through things and wean myself off of needing to take benzos… which is how it is supposed to be used. No way would I want to be under the influence of that doing a physical sport or driving or anything where I need to use my brain. Yes, it can mellow you out if you REALLY need them but if you don’t really need them it can make your reaction time very slow. You can also get easily addicted to medications like these. If you don’t need it for health reasons (sorry, but show nerves are normal and not a medical reason imo) stay away from them.

[skydy]

@hoopoe

Yes FEI sanctioned events ( CDI) are elite level competitions and are subject to human drug rules

WADA doesn’t prohibit the use of benzodiazepines (or alcohol) by riders in horse sport. I’ve always found it remarkable what they do allow.

[BigMama1]

I think it’s really important to differentiate between normal show nerves and crippling, medically-diagnosed anxiety. Drugs are not appropriate for the first IMO, and are entirely appropriate for the second, under the guidance of a medical professional.