[tcj_phx]

> For those who suffer from acute, short-term anxiety over a specific event, for example an exam or an interview, beta blockers such as propranolol can be really helpful - as I understand it they interrupt the fight-or-flight adrenaline response to stop you working yourself into a panic.

Thanks for the recommendation. My girlfriend thinks she needs benzodiazepenes for anxiety. The doctors give her just enough to get addicted, then take them away.

Looking around just now, it seems like Clonidine is another anti-adrenaline drug that would be useful for acute anxiety. It's commonly used for smoking withdrawal too.