What is Public Speaking Fear?

Also commonly referred to as public speaking phobia, public speaking fear, public speaking anxiety, presentation anxiety, performance anxiety, performance nerves or stage fright. In many surveys, the fear of public speaking is often ranked as the number one fear. Surprisingly many people will rank the fear of public speaking higher than the fear of death.

The effects of the fight or flight response are what you experience whenever you feel anxiety or fear. It is our minds way of preparing us physically so that we can respond quickly and effectively in dangerous situations. The idea being that we have the energy and reactions to either run away from, or fight the threat. The perceived threat that triggers the response can be physical or psychological in nature (e.g. potential physical harm, looking foolish, making a scene, not being liked or accepted, appearing weak etc.). The fight or flight response actually functions remarkably well, however problems arise when it is triggered in situations in which we can’t simply fight our way out of, or run away from. Such as meetings, presentations, performances or speeches.

When the fight or flight response is triggered, hormones such as adrenaline are released into your body to prepare you for fighting or escaping. You will increase your oxygen levels by breathing more rapidly. There will be an increase in your heart rate to pump blood faster to the lungs, muscles and brain. Your muscles tense ready for action and your awareness is heightened.

Symptoms of public speaking anxiety may include: sweating, a lump in the throat, racing heart, breathing difficulties, shaking, light-headedness, going blank, loss of concentration, tingling, a need to urinate, digestive problems, tension, stammering, aches, sense of inferiority, inadequacy, weakness or shame.

All performance anxieties first starts within our thoughts. If we think a threat exists within a situation, our brain stimulates the release of the various stress related hormones.

In some ways our minds and bodies can’t tell the difference between the thoughts about a situation and the situation itself. Therefore by simply thinking negatively, worrying, or ‘what if’-ing about an upcoming presentation, speech or performance, you are activating the fight or flight response in much the same way as if you were actually experiencing it in reality.

Due to the way anxiety functions, it is almost impossible to fight it head on. You’ve probably already tried to control it using will-power alone, and failed miserably. In fact the more you fight and try to control the anxiety, the worse it often gets! An obvious solution is not to fight the symptoms, but to focus on and change what’s actually causing them.

Anxiety starts with a thought in which an interpretation of danger is made about a situation. As it starts with a thought then the most rational place to start making changes is with your problematic thoughts. If the problematic thoughts are changed so that a situation is no longer considered a danger then the anxiety is never triggered. The process of changing your thoughts is actually easier than most people realise. Any experienced psychotherapist should be able to help.

Public speaking anxiety can occur in any situation were you are the centre of attention. It can be very common in situations such as: presentations, meetings, interviews, acting auditions and performances, musical performances, wedding speeches, exams.

Nigel Magowan is an integrative psychotherapist who works with stage fright, anxiety disorders, IBS and phobias. Treatment for Interview Anxiety in London, Harley Street Interview Anxiety treatment in Manchester