Why do I get extremely nervous when I speak infront of big crowds?

Question

I just cant understand it, I know they are people like me, I know they wont hurt me, I know if I become nervous is when I'll be making a fool of myself yet what do I do? I become nervous, I panic, why?

I try, I try to fight it, be confident yet every time I have to present something in front of a crowd my heart starts beating heavily, swelling in my chest, my hands shake, and I feel like I stand funny, why is this, what is this fear? Is it normal? How can I overcome it?

Answer 1

I think it's because everybody is watching you. The chances are you don't look as nervous as you feel. The fear of public speaking rates higher than death on polls. In other words, it's most peoples number one fear. I think the only way to get over it is practice or very high self esteem. One other thing, if you do it a few minutes the fear starts to go away.

Answer 2

I think it's a natural way of the body dealing with fear. The fear is most likely unwarranted, but we feel under such pressure not to screw up and be accepted by the audience, that we subconsciously presume that we are screwing up and the audience is not believing what we are saying. It's a self inflicted fear, of such psychological magnitude, that out body goes in overdrive to compensate for our mental mess.

In my case, as with many others, I start calming down within a couple of minutes. Once the mind is occupied with the delivery of the message instead of coping with all other factors, the body recuperates and gets in normal mode of operation.

One of the cures I'm working on is to cheat your mind that you are like a God talking down to servants. You must believe that YOU are the supreme being in this scenario, that you are going to tell them important things and that they will listen and take your word for it. Get your psyche ready a few minutes before the speech and you should be OK. Remember, it's just a stage and we are all actors on it. Make yourself believe that you are the baddest mutta fukka out there. Yeah, I may walk through the shadow of the valley of the dead, but I shall fear no evil...nor any man in it.

Answer 3

thats gotta be tough to deal with and uncontrolable... but I used to have the same problem, i made gradual changes, no offense but im sure your the person thats kinda quiet and maybe n the corner. what i did was started being the star of the crowd, go with your friends to the mall or sumthin and just approach ppl who might walk by ask them how they are doing or sumthin, and slowly biuld up throw a party and tell every1 its your birthday(all eyes on you) who cares what people think odds are you'll only see them once n a life time. best i can do...

Answer 4

This is also called' stage fright'...and it happens to the best of us..this is why people in show business drink to tell you the truth, to overcome these feelings...if you can block out the crowd, or find one person to be talking to,..and zone in on them, they say that helps...and, practice makes perfect..so good luck, you are very, very normal

Answer 5

You probably suffer from social anxiety disorder. I have first hand experience with it. Its annoying and you'll need to get therapy to deal with it in a healthy way or you can end up a total shut in. Trust me. You aren't sick. You aren't a loser. You just got to get a good Dr to help you work through it to see things from a better angle. And anyone who thinks shrinks are "just trying to mess with our heads" either went to a bad one or needs therapy of a different kind lol. Every human can benefit from getting to know themselves on the emotional level. Peace be with you.

Answer 6

All of us is not an automatic or instant star confidence. Really practice makes perfect. That's why you are asking this kind of question. Lack of exposure or practice.