How can a person get rid of nerve problems and stage fright?

Question

I can't talk infront of people at all, my heart beats fast and I get very nervous...If I know that I have to make a speech infront of people it will bother me until the time comes. My heart beats fast, it literally jumps in my throat....my heart begins to hurt sometimes...

Can someone please help me conquer this fear..
thanks!!!

Answer 1

practice and more practice. i am a singer and used to have stage fright, but i kept performing in front of people and it went away. this is the same with speaking. start small. give speeches or speak up in smaller groups and then get bigger eventually.

Answer 2

Stage fright is a horrible thing, but everyone has it, have you ever seen hannah montana or britney spears up on stage? Chances are, they are just as worried as you before they get on stage, but then they get on stage, its all good. But if the problem your having is you think they dont, or wont like you, then here are some tips. If you think you are bad, you will do bad. If you think you are good, you will do good. Attitude is everything. Also, think of all the people who have stage fright also. But whatever you do, do not think of the audience in their underwear. It doesn't help. So start by singing infront of your cat, then your best friend, then your family. Hope i was a help!

Answer 3

I did a speach on public speaking and stage fright like a week ago so this is my best advice!
Okay, there is this thing called the "spotlight effect" and its stage fright to extreme.
Well, one way is to practice in a mirror... with your eyes closed. You close your eyes b/c having your shadow there will make you feel like there is someone else in the room... like an audiece... make sense?

Also, this sounds crazy but know people that have actually benefited from this. NAME your fright. Like name it... fred. Then before you go on stage... talk to fred. "Fred, Down" "Calm down Fred" "Fred NO" Yeah... I personally thought that was crazy but hey- I guess its worth a try! =-]

Did you know it is the number on fear of all people? That means, according to Jerry Sienfield, That most people would rather be in the casket than delivering the eulogy at teh funeral. Insane right?

Go to the yahoo.com home page and search "How to cure stage fright" and you will be amazed at what you get! =-]

Answer 4

I don't think there is really a quick fix to this like people try to find. What has helped me is to work my way up... for instance, just answering questions in class or speaking up in a group more. Then maybe working your way up to a very small part in a play or a short speech. You need to build up your confidence before you will be confident speaking in public.

And... just... deep breaths. Relax. Try to put things in perspective. Speak up in situations with no pressure and make sure you aren't making a huge deal out of something that shouldn't be a situation that you are feeling so nervous about. Work your way up to the big serious things... start at a place where no one will care if you mess up, and hopefully gradually you will work your way out of your phobia, or at least get better.

Answer 5

It is a long process.
I believe that nervousness never disappears completely, what is important is to be able to perform, speak or sing with it.
For speaking I have found these things that work:
1. Know your speech very well, or use a card with an outline.
2. Breath, breath, breath
3. Speak slowly
4. Look at the forehead of people, not to their eyes.
5. Practice

Most of nervousness comes from self-consciouness of "what other people will think of us".... If we try to avoid that thought a lot of nervourness could go away

I hope it helps... Greetings from Mexico

Answer 6

Pretend you are an actor and that you are playing a confident business person about to address your employees that you have the ability to fire at any second. Just focus on that while are you giving your speech and you should be ok. :)

I dont know why this works but i guess it has something to do with you make believing its not really you out there but someone else, so if people starting laughing at you, its not really you.

Answer 7

It seems to me that you have an anxiety. I had the same problem and went to a doctor who prescribed medication. After taking the medication, I feel like a normal person again and have gained confidence in myself. I no longer have a fear of making a speech or talking in front of a large group of people. I hope you can conquer this fear!!!

Answer 8

omg girl, just think.... WHATEVER, say that you don't care what people think about u (thats what i usually think because wen i get stage fright i am scared of what people will think of me) all i do is look at the back of the room (or if u r looking at 1 person stare them straight in the eyes and tell them what you want to say. i recomend listening to music (upbeat) first because it gets me PUMPED up!!! listen to something that has to do with someone being confident

hope everything goes GREAT!!! renember it will be fine!!!!
peace out cub scout

Answer 9

I know a person who stutters.
He also sings opera.

When the music starts he is no longer himself, he is , whatever role he plays. And he has performed around the world.

Also, he for performs his friends in the audience. He says, "if I screw up, my friends won't throw garbage at me!"

Answer 10

practice in front of friends. first in a little crowd then a bigger crowd then in the largest crowd.before performance take a deep breath and do what you want to do.