For as long as I can remember I have been stressed and anxious when standing in front of people. I'm a junior in high school now and in the last presentation I did I passed out about the third or fourth sentence in. I shake horribly to the point where it is uncontrollable, and my breathing is so rapid I can barely speak. This happens now even when I am asked to just stand in front of people to read what I did for homework. Is there a specific name for what it is I have, or is it just an extreme sort of anxiety?
2007-10-28 19:27:00 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous Girl 3 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
You may have more than just anxiety but a panic disorder. get into therapy and meds may help. Passing out (actually it's fainting) is just another way to run away (get away). In any case you have a lot of irrational fear. What is it that you are afraid of? Do you think you are going to be tared and feathered if you make a mistake? That everyone is gong to know that you made a mistake? That someone will post your name on the Internet with the silly mistake you made? What is it that you are afraid of?
2007-10-28 19:51:02 · answer #1 · answered by gdc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a big medication fan, but I've got to tell you this. I got my college degree in piano, but disliked performing in front of others too much. I didn't like speaking in a group of more than 6 people.
When I turned 50yo, I took some medication for ADD. Then I got an impulse and tried out (unsuccessfully) as lead singer for a weekend rock band (ok, I'd never sang lead in my life, but that was the point -- I'd never thought of it as something fun before). A few months later, I was invited and joined an improvisational comedy group. Mind you, I'd always been criticized for not completing my sentences in normal conversations. Not only that, but I stopped wanting to be anonymous in my workplace.
I don't know what is really happening with you, but trust me, you should trying approaching the problem with an open mind. Fifty years is an awful lot of life to live timidly.
2007-10-28 19:48:58 · answer #2 · answered by Less is Less 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure, but I know you're not alone. I've seen several people get uncontrollably nervous when giving speeches etc. I'm sorta the same way myself, but I can control things to a certain extent. Medication may help to calm your nerves, but I think you should first consult all of your teachers, and let them know about your situation. I know it may be embarassing but I your teachers will understand and help you make adjustments. Another thing about speaking in front of others for people like us is that...we should always be prepared. Prompt Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. Nerves are hard to shake off but you can overcome them by being mentally prepared and more than anything....don't be afraid of making mistakes! It's OK we're all human. That's why they have erasures on pencils!
2007-10-28 19:43:25 · answer #3 · answered by bananas4breakfast14 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went through this for as long as I could remember. I still can get shakey when I realize that someone is paying attention to me. I found a phobia group and talked about my problems. I took baby steps and really pushed myself to talk in public. I went to talk therapy.
It's anxiety and it has a cause. A good therapist can help you uncover that cause. And you can get better.
Good luck.
2007-10-28 19:34:28 · answer #4 · answered by San Diego Art Nut 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like Social Phobia
Have a read of the wiki page (see link)
2007-10-28 19:36:44 · answer #5 · answered by Orinoco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
social anxiety? I would deff go to a doctor and tell them. I would shake the same way at school.
2007-10-28 19:38:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am a physcoligist and it sounds to me you are suffering from severe anxiety that may need medication to control
2007-10-28 19:32:09 · answer #7 · answered by Psychologist In The House 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋