HELP! Anyone have a fear of Public Speaking?

Question

I am a woman who needs advice concerning public speaking. I have a phobia when it comes to speaking in front of an audience. There is even a name for it- Glossophobia. I literally start to panic. I become extremely nervous and feel light headed. My heart races a mile a minute, and I start to feel nauseous. I stutter and start fidgeting a lot too. Unfortunately, I have to give presentations and speak in front of groups of people often. I thought I would get use to it by now. It’s so bad, that I can’t sleep the night before a presentation. Does anyone have any tips? What is something you do in order to get through speaking in front of an audience?

I’m looking for serious answers, please. Thanks!

Answer 1

I have the same problem! It's not like I'm not confident or have any trouble expressing myself either. It does help a bit to practice, but things always change when the crowd is there. What has helped me is the use of visual aids, you'll be able to focus on things other than the audience and they'll have something to look at other than you. Try pamphlets that are interesting so that they'll take interest in looking them over while you speak. Try pointing out things such as props or people in the audience to bring attention to and the room will not be such a "quiet, everyone has their eyes on me room." As for the stuttering, try to practice taking a breath or repeating what you may have already said to bring you back to your point you may have began to stutter on. Also, try looking around the room and find those few people who nod and give you reassurance that they are listening. You can then focus on them as you speak and it'll put you in the environment of simply having a conversation in which you get to do all the talking. I'm still working on my technique of becoming the best speaker possible, and all of these things have been helpful in making me a better speaker than when I first began to speak. I really hope they'll work for you.

Answer 2

There are a number of things that you can do which help with public speaking phobias. One of which includes taking a public speech class at your local community college.

Try to remember that this speech is only a very tiny portion of your life and will only effect you for the few minutes you're up there. Remember to know your facts very well and to focus on the points you're trying to make.

Smile, be polite and remember - it's just a speech! Sometimes I bring diagrams, a glass of cold water and Benedryl with me, if I'm nervous to get up and speak.

Remember that people are there to listen to your thoughts and gain knowledgable information for the 2 minutes that you are up there.

Make eye contact with people and remember that they're paying more attention to the actual purpose of the speech then just you.

Know your material inside and out, practice how you plan to make your delivery to the public, and think up plausible questions & answers to any questions you might think would come up.
Also read your material to a friend or family member that is willing to listen, and practice your delivery a few times. Bring a few note cards along with you stating the key factors of the speech itself as well.

If you can't answer a question, simply say that you don't have the material on-hand to do so. Tell them that you will speak with them afterward and offer to research an answer and get back to the person via E-mail.

Once again, try taking a speech class at your local community college. This can greatly affect and help you in the future.

~Hope this helped!

Answer 3

Smiles, what a great Q.

I never "suffered" from it,,,maybe cuz I tend to ramble, and I like me as well.

I'm well educated, 62 years old, have spoken in large groups, as well as audience settings. I've been involved in theater and theology for many years, and every time, there may be some angst, but I deal with it.

I have no idea of your age, public experience, situtaions that involve groups, but it's not abnormal, nor a sin, to feel as you do.

The first reason I believe one might feel that, is insecurity,,,even in a one on one basis? The logical reason for that feeling might be rejection, ridicule, disdain, having tomatoes thrown at them perhaps???

I also don't know if you experience this in lighted or dark situations,,IE: A school Gym, or a darkened stage in a performance to an audience,,, but have done both.

In a darkend theater situation for example,,, You can focus on the lights, even the back wall, of the "theater" and talk to those. No one farther away than 15 feet will see your eyes distinctly anyway. You can focus on text in front of you,,if in fact it exists,,, or the memorized patter you want to deliver.

In a situation where you are perhaps speaking in front of peers,, IE: the High school class example, you'll have to expect comments, maybe even whistling, cheers or jeers?

The object, in those two examples,,,or any,, is that you are the focus, whether of one other, or a thousand,,, and YOU are the reason, the power, and THEIR focus.

Nervousness might always exist,,,even for Presidents, but it can be overcome,,, at least as the public percieves it.

Again,,,Find a focus "point", "place" time in your life or similarity, in the topic you are relating,,, and tune out what distracts you. Certainly you should have knowledge about what you are speaking about.

Example: I had to deliver a eulogy at my grandmothers funeral. She had lived 92 years, many of them as many of us do, and was a decent woman, a decent parent, to me and 11 others of her OWN children, and was largely liked by hundreds,,,who all showed up for the service.

I wanted to show respect certainly, for HER and all in attendance, but I didn't want to BURY her during the service. I chose to celebrate a particular series of events. I began this way... Loudly calling out,,, as she had so often done.

"STEVEN,,, it's time for Dinner, Gather your cousins, and get in here. Make sure you kick off your shoes, before you bring mud in my kitchen." The point is,,, It got everyones attention!

I'm sure there were smiles in the audience, and grumbles about disrespect, but "I" was in "The Moment" I was hearing her call me, and it was fun, and such a loving memory, that I truly didn't care what others, in my audience felt. I knew I WAS CONNECTING, and only wondered about it,,,after the fact.

I can't know if I've helped, but I sure do thank you for the Q, and I'll hope you find a "focus" that lets you know, YOU are the only one there,,when it happens.

Rev. Steven

Answer 4

It's usually a reaction from an audience looking at you directly. You start being conscious about what that person is thinking about you. Try to look out there, but not directly at someone, ie an empty chair. Don't look anywhere where there is no audience member around or else they'll just think you're weird for staring at the ceiling or something. Bottom line is, you're training yourself to think that if you don't see them (their eyes) they don't see you.

Answer 5

Join ToastMasters. There are usually chapters close to you. Either in a business or a club that may meet in your local library 1 a month or 2x a month. They teach public speaking skills as well as other leadership qualities. You create mock speeches and present them to smaller group (the members of the club.) Check out toastmasters.org for more details.

Answer 6

I get that way, too. One thing that helps is being COMPLETELY prepared. Know exactly what you're going to say backwards and forwards. And find a friendly face in the audience that you can look to.

Answer 7

I have that and I started working at my boys grade school. I was able to talk to the kids in large numbers so, then I was able to speak to adults.

OR you can remember back a few years to when the Bradys had their show...I think they told one of the girls to imagine everyone in their underwear.

Good Luck

Answer 8

Join Toastmasters.
Kind of a help, learning group for public speaking.
Very friendly folks who will nurse you along.

Answer 9

Focus on your presentation and mainly, be very well prepared because if you mess up, it will get worse. Try taking a shot of vodka right beforehand.

Answer 10

well practice in front of your family..then when you have to speak in front of people take a good deep breath..sound confident and sure of yourself..and after a few of those you will be less nervous.