Performance anxiety, or stage fright, is something everyone has experienced. No matter how prepared you are, you may feel nervous just before an important moment. Be it meeting the love of your life, going up on stage to give a speech, or receiving your examination results, the symptoms of anxiety can be uncomfortable. Even though you cannot buy anxiety pills over the counter in Singapore, there are some alternatives to seeing a doctor to prescribe it.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress. It is a fear of what will come in the future. You may respond to things with dread and fear if you have anxiety.
Anxiety also causes physical symptoms like shivering, sweating, and a pounding heart.
The generalised anxiety disorder ratio jumped from 0.9% to 1.6% during 2010-2016 in Singapore.
Types of Anxiety:
Anxiety can be of different types, like:
Performance anxiety:
Performance anxiety is fear and dread about one’s ability to perform specific tasks. People suffering from performance anxiety anticipate failure even before the task begins.
Unlike generalised anxiety disorder, performance anxiety occurs only before specific tasks like interviews, public speech, or stage performances.
Other kinds of anxiety are the panic disorder of sudden intense attack, phobias or fear about certain objects and situations, social anxiety or social phobia, and separation anxiety.
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD):
Generalised anxiety disorder is constantly worrying about happenings and situations that interfere with day-to-day work. The cause of worry may be finance, family, work, health, future, or anticipation of any disaster. People suffering from GAD find it difficult to get rid of the worry.
Different types of anxiety pills:
Following are the commonly used anxiety pills all over the world.
Beta-blockers:
Beta-blockers are originally used to treat heart conditions, but they can be used off-label to treat performance anxiety.
Beta-blockers act by blocking the effect of stress hormones like adrenaline.
Beta-blockers have short-term effects and are used before performing any particular task like public speaking and interviews. This drug class includes propranolol, acebutolol, and metoprolol4.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI):
SSRIs work by increasing serotonin levels in the body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, happiness, sexual desire, memory, and appetite. SSRIs have long-term effects, and these are used at lower doses initially. SSRIs show results 2-6 weeks after the onset of medication; some people may take 6-12 months to show recovery3.
SSRIs include paroxetine, sertraline, escitalopram, and fluoxetine drugs. SSRIs are considered the first line of treatment for anxiety. The best thing about SSRIs is that these medications do not cause dependence or addiction in patients. These anxiety pills are not available over the counter in Singapore, so a prescription is mandatory.
Other anti-anxiety drugs include:
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tetracyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Antagonists, and benzodiazepines.
Prescription is required to purchase anxiety pills:
So, the first question that would pop up in your mind will be, “Are these anxiety pills over the counter in Singapore?”
No, they actually require a prescription from a physician, psychiatrist, or mental health professional.
SIRE is licensed to prescribe beta-blockers like propranolol.
A licensed healthcare professional will examine you and prescribe an appropriate anti-anxiety drug depending on the severity of your symptoms.
Can I get these online?
Yes! You can get anti-anxiety drugs by following these three easy steps on thesire.sg
Survey: Start your treatment today by telling us how you are suffering through our online survey. Our in-house doctors will review your details within 24 hours.
Consult: We will confirm your condition through WhatsApp and consult you on whether the available treatment suits your condition.
Deliver: After clearing the previous two steps, your order will be delivered in 3 working days.
