Why do I get so nervous?

Question

This is a HUGE problem for me - whenever I go to an audition for a role in a play, or even when taking an exam, I get so incredibly nervous. I feel like I'm not there, that somehow someone has taken over my body and I'm watching from the outside. It is actually the most annoying thing as I'm a talented woman (not to sound arrogant, please don't take it that way) and I should be able to get these roles but my nerves get the better of me - how can I change this? Please help!
Thank you!

Dear eyeswideshut - well, that's evident - evidently my confidence is presently low so why kick me when I'm down? If you haven't got anything positive to say, don't say it.
For your information, the BEST actors/actresses get nervous like that but they learn to over-come it. e.g. Joaquin Phoenix, George Clooney (who has a shot of whiskey before any scene or public appearance), Kevin Spancey, the list goes on and on so, don't talk about what you don't know.

Answer 1

I guess you are thinking too much about the task you are about to do. Relax, breathe and think positively. Think about it this way, if you go in there nervous you will not do as well, but if you go in there confident and let yourself loose you will do great!!!

Answer 2

Some people call it exam nerves and some call it performance anxiety, but I think it boils down to the same thing; you really care about what you're doing, the outcome matters to you, and you suffer from nerves!
If you didn't care about the outcome or about doing well you'd probably breeze through it like you were doing the shopping at the supermarket. That floating sensation you get sounds like 'disassociation', which is your brains way of dealing with the stress. It's like its all happening to someone else, and you're watching.
I honestly don't believe that these things sort themselves out given enough time, I think this is one thing that you have to take some positive action to fix. There's a number of different things you can do. You can try beta blockers as they slow your heart rate, but don't take the first one before an audition, take it when it doesn't matter so you can get used to how it feels. For many people that's enough to get them through.
You can try relaxation techniques. They sound daft but if you unglue your tongue from the roof of your mouth the minute you start to feel tense it really will have a positive effect. And you can try a mantra, such as repeating the words 'calm, safe' over and over. Plus use various excersises to keep your shoulders and neck relaxed.
You might get on with cognitive behaviour therapy. It concentrates on the here and now, not the past; and it gives positive strategies for dealing with problems. You can design your own way of dealing with it from a list of suggestions; like inventing a new ending for a distressing nightmare. It works because you know what is believable and achievable for you.
You're actually doing really well to keep going to the auditions despite the stress; many people just avoid the situation that causes the stress. So pat yourself on the back for that. And good luck!

Answer 3

First of all acknowledge you have a problem. Oh you already have! That's a good start. Now you need to start feeding yourself positive messages. Try some relaxation and visualisation techniques. See yourself doing well at the audition. Visualise yourself getting the role.

Learn to concentrate just on your breathing - letting any thoughts or worries just float away without judging them, breathe slowly and deeply and do this for at least 10 minutes before your audition/interview - I always find this really helps to relax me before an interview.

Good luck! You will get there if you keep believing.

Answer 4

I have always had a problem with speaking in front of groups, I speak to quickly at times or to slowly at other times leading me to finish way to early or not to finish. I have learned over the years to compensate for my nervousness by practicing well in advance and setting a time for my speeches, that way I can gauge the time I will need to adequately provide my listeners with the quality that they deserve.

My advice is that you practice in front of people. In your case you might stay away from your friends and close aquaintences so that you feel as though you are actually auditioning. Practice as they say makes perfect.

Prayer can also be a very effective reducer of a nervous reaction. I try to pray at the beginning and end of each day and sometimes several times in between. It has helped me reduce my nervousness tremendously before I speak.

Answer 5

Eva, getting nervous is something that can and usually does happen to the majority of us, so you are not necessarily alone or 'ill' in experiencing anxiety.

my advice would be to try and learn some relaxation techniques. Whatever may be the particular trigger of these experiences, the thinking and solution behind managing situations that are anxious is straight forward and effective with practice:

It should not be possible to be relaxed and experience anxiety at the same time - if (after practice) one can ontrol their breathing to become relaxed, this state can be turned to in times of anxiety in order to overome nerves.

There are a variety of self - help methods of relaxation available, however most of the more effective forms are made of 2 parts which need to practised regularly:

controlled breathing; slow deep breathing so increase oxygen to body and increase relaxation and calm state.

(progressive) muscular relaxation; tensing and then relaxing muscle gropus in sequence in order to differentiate and recognise realaxed an tensed muscles.

As time progresses, the need to use muscular relaxtion can b e reduced and then removed as improvement in recognsing anxiety symptoms takes place.

Hope this helps, theres lots of infomation available on controlled breathing, for example

http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/27000363/

any more probs or questions you can always ask your GP to make a referall for you.

Answer 6

when harrison ford was chosen to play indiana jones, he was a carpenter or some sort of craftsman I believe... the point is he wasn't too worried about the casting cause he had another occupation. he confessed later that was the reason he was so natural during the casting, zero nerves. don't know how old are you or any other details about your life but I think you should try to focus on something else, not giving too much relevance to the moment of audition. off it. you'll go natural!

Answer 7

Dear Eva, First thing, stay away from the alcohol (it is a depressant) LOL . I think the best thing you could do for an "upcoming audition" would be to perform in front of your peers. The reason being, is for one, we value their opinion (that is one of the reasons they are our friends). Two they are our best and worst critics. If you do value their opinions than it is easier to take their constructive critisizm and use that to better your performance without any hard feelings. Also, value yourself as a person and be confident in your endeavors.

Answer 8

Everyone gets nervous about things, but sounds like your confident when u need to be, and other times the whole nervous thing takes over. sometimes, it helps to train the brain to do what u want it to do! tell yourself that your not nervous u can do this........ when u enter the room of somewhere that ur going to be nervous, count to ten, take deep breaths and then hold ur head up high, and strut into that room!! think happy thoughts about whatever u want. I struggle in crowded places, when i feel my self getting really anxious, i imagine all the people around me are naked! it's great..... makes me smile, and when u smile, u feel so much better.

just stay calm. and focus on what it is that u want!
YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Answer 9

you are supposed to be an actress so your either such a bad actress that you know you will fail before you start that's enough to make anyone fail. may be you need the take a confidence and awareness class.
Next time you find yourself out side your body give yourself a good kicking

Answer 10

drink chamomile tea

I had a similar problem, I drank loads of chamomile tea during exam and revision time and I got results which improved vastly. I also slept more which is good as sleeping fixes information in our memory, as long as you are motivated to put the work in like me you will be fine :)