I have recently faced a breakup of a long term relationship and coupled with university stress, my anxiety levels seem to have increased a lot. 

For the past week, every single day I would have like 2-3 anxiety "peaks". I am not sure how to describe it, but I start to feel very anxious (sometimes I don't even know why or what triggered it) and I can feel my heart beating fast and loud. I will start to overthink uncontrollably despite trying to self-talk myself out of it, and I am always at the verge of crying but could never really cry until I call a trusted friend to vent. Sleeping is difficult for me because the moment I lie on the bed, my anxiety peaks and I cannot relax and sleep. I also started to wake up at 7am without alarms despite being super tired, and then I get another bad anxiety peak and am unable to fall back asleep. 

It is getting bad because my stress relief strategies seem to be making my anxiety worse, like journalling or using tiktok to help me get my mind off whatever I'm doing. When I exercise, I will stop halfway and start breaking down. 

Hence, I called my nearest GP and they told me they have 10mg propanolol (beta blocker) for anxiety, and I am afraid of taking it because of the side effects (especially pertaining to memory loss and lethargy because my exams are near). 

Can anyone tell me if they have taken propanolol? Or other possible coping strategies that help with your anxiety?