The autonomic nervous system is part of the nervous system, and your sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous system are parts of your autonomic nervous system.
Sometimes the sympathetic nervous system gets stuck in the “on” position and overrides the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is the fight/flight bit, whereas the parasympathetic nervous system is the calming bit.
When the sympathetic nervous system is stuck in the “on” position, it feels like you have an anxiety or panic disorder. Keep in mind, many people do experience anxiety and panic because of chemical imbalances in their brains, but many of us also feel anxiety and panic not because of a chemical imbalance in our brains, but because of an autonomic nervous system that isn’t working properly.
I had been to many therapists and psychiatrists, had been told it was anxiety and panic disorder, was put on so many different meds, etc. None of them worked. When I went on Nadolol (also known as Corgard), my sympathetic nervous system calmed down, which basically means it wasn’t constantly sending the “Panic!” signal to my brain.
You may very well have anxiety. I definitely can’t tell you one way or another. I can only speak to my experience and what my neurologist has told me other patients of theirs have experienced.
I’m also not sure why Nadolol worked so much better, but that is his preferred beta blocker to use, which is interesting because Cardiologists prescribe Propranolol and Metoprolol like it’s candy.
