I can totally relate, although I've yet to try drinking alcohol prior to an interview. I guess one would have to know how to hit the Balmer Peak [0] reliably.

I can totally relate, although I've yet to try drinking alcohol prior to an interview. I guess one would have to know how to hit the Balmer Peak [0] reliably. Lately I've been using breathing to control my autonomic responses. Breath in for a count of 4, hold it for 7, and then exhale for 8. This seems to work well. Box breathing (breath in for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4 and hold for 4) is sometimes easier to do and not be noticed, but I don't find it as effective unless I'm doing more strenuous activities. I have mild PTSD and can't always rely on normal responses to stress, when I'm feeling verbally attacked. Sadly I've never had an interviewer believe me when I've told them I'm having a panic attack and need a moment. They always assume that I'm stalling, or don't have an answer, which is sad, because I've always been a star employee once hired. [0]https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/323:_Ballmer_Peak https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/323:_Ballmer_Peak