How to prevent fear from presentation and speaking to people?

Question

I am very fearful of giving presentations and speaking in group discussions.My mouth gets sort of jammed for words and I am being looked as a joke in class because I screw up my sentences.I am becoming distressed of this.What help is available to me?

Answer 1

Try Toastmasters International. It works. It's easy. It's fun.

http://www.toastmasters.org

Answer 2

A: Have realistic expectations about your comfort level. I used to do competitive debating, the morning of every debate I couldn't eat, and was on the verge of throwing up. That didn't stop me from doing well. Understand that you can feel sick with nervousness, and still do fine. Its one thing to be worried about the presentation, you don't need to worry about being worried to top it off.

B: Practice, practice, practice. Get involved in clubs or groups that require speaking to small groups. The more you do it, the more you'll realize what you are capable of. Which is a lot. You will get better the more you do it.

C: Think about the things you can control. Think about what you want to say, then say it slowly, clearly and with good volume. Focus on that, not what other people are thinking. There's time enough for that when you're done.

Answer 3

God I hate presentations! I always found myself getting nervous for presentations at uni. The first few I did had me shaking with nerves. There really is no way of getting around the feeling. You just have to learn the material and act confident even if you don't feel it. Try to concentrate on speaking clearly and slowly (nerves make you talk faster and mumble), take deep breaths in between paragraphs and smile it will make you feel better. Make sure to take note cards in case you forget what your saying! Visual aids help alot because then everyone's attention is not on you. The thing I always found strange was when you tell people you were nervous they always sounded surprised! Good Luck!

Answer 4

Yeah - PRACTISE!!!!! Even if you are home alone! I had the same problem but it was resolved in a different way... I was a bit shy, but suddenly I became a victim of my literature teacher at school - she asked me every day to have speeches and answer her difficult questions... that's how I just got used to that... I was not afraid of speaking in public - I was just afraid of her... Soon she became less scary ;) - and before I completely forgot about being frightened by public speaking. And I started to perform in a theatre - that's also a good practical training;)))

Answer 5

Just look down at your paper, but don't cover your mouth because people won't be able to hear you and read but don't look up. Pretend you're reading to yourself in front of your mirror, but obviously speak a bit louder.

You could also try practising in front of a mirror at home or ask friends or family to hear you give a presentation.

Answer 6

Do yoga and learn to breathe.
Do relaxation exercises.
Also it's helpful to make the subject of your talk something you are really interested in and want to tell others, and that you know a lot about.
Deep breathing and focus on the inside of you instead of the folks watching and listening.

Answer 7

the msot importat thing is to know your material. the second most important thing is to picture them in underwear and black socks. i say this because picturing them naked is flat out rude. if that doesn't work you can take a public speaking class.

Answer 8

You might have social anxiety. i suffer from social anxiety & what you have described sounds similar. But i need more details to be sure.

Answer 9

hv the same problem