Really bad public speaking anxiety
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hello everyone,
I am extremely nervous when I have to do any type of public speaking no matter how long. I get so nervous that my eyes do this weird thing where they completely force close involuntarily. It usually only happens to one eye at a time and lasts for like 3-5 seconds. Has anyone experienced this before? Having this eye thing happen makes me even more anxious to public speak because I'm anxious it is going to happen during the presentation. I can also feel my heart beating so fast and my mouth gets super dry. It gets worse when I have to make eye contact. I have a presentation next week and it's all I can think about because I'm already so nervous about it.
I'm not sure if I have anxiety. I've never really talked to anyone about it, but I definitely think I could. Possibly social anxiety. I constantly over think things when talking to people like if I did something awkward/weird and I'll think about it for like a week after. I don't have that many close friends and I find myself shutting myself off to others. But then there are other times when I can be my complete self. I just don't get it. Anyone have any advice on what I should do, particularly regarding the public speaking thing? I am in graduate school so I'm under constant stress because of the hard work load on top of the frequent presentations that are required. In high school and undergraduate, I was so nervous to present that often I would make up lies to get out of them. I know it was a horrible thing to do, but that's just how bad the fear is. I would probably still do that now, but obviously I can't.
Sorry this post is so long. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.
0 likes, 5 replies
aaron11751 ash321
Posted
That sounds like basic cut and dry anxiety. Glossophobia is normal in people who don't have anxiety, but what you mentioned with social things and thinking about things for days afterwards, that sounds like run of the mill social anxiety. It comes and goes, so days will be random on how you feel sometimes. The best thing you can do overall, is to work on the anxiety itself. Learning some breathing techniques and positive visualization to replace fear and nervousness will go a long way for the anxiety and will be tools to help you directly when you have to speak in public. Look up breathing techniques for anxiety and you'll see they're the same exact thing that you would be advised if you ask about public speaking. Also look up positive visualization and practice doing that instead of worrying so much, while also practicing the speech. The speaking part itself, it really helps if you practice it well with someone else, and then arrive early and try and meet the people you'll be speaking to. I know it may sound kind of painful at first, but when you feel more personal with the people in the audience, it makes it slightly easier to speak to them. When you're on a more personal level with your audience you won't worry as much about making mistakes. A friendly person will ignore that where a stranger may not. Getting out of things like that only reinforces your anxiety, so now you've come to a place where you have no choice but to face it, and less time to practice. So start working on things now, and next time will be better.
JesseS ash321
Posted
ash321 JesseS
Posted
Thank you for the advice. How would I go about this? I haven't told anyone about this public speaking issue so obviously my doctor doesn't know about it. Also, I'm at school away from my primary doctor. Would I just call a doctor around here and ask for a prescription? Or go to a psychologist?
aaron11751 ash321
Posted
Propranolol is a beta blocker used to lower blood pressure, help irregular heartbeat, migraines, etc. It has the side affect of greatly reducing anxiety in low infrequent use. A lot of celebrities, musicians, etc. use it before performances and things. It would make sense to call regular doctor and tell them about your speech issues and anxiety, and then ask for it and see if they think it'll be good for you. They'll probably want to make sure you have a healthy heart and stuff first.
JesseS ash321
Posted