Fear of Public Speaking & How To Overcome It

The fear of public speaking, known as glossophobia, is a common form of social anxiety that many people experience. There are several reasons why people may feel anxious about speaking in front of an audience:

1. Fear of judgment: One of the main reasons for anxiety in public speaking is the fear of being judged or evaluated negatively by the audience. People worry that they may make mistakes, appear incompetent, or be criticised, which can lead to feelings of embarrassment and shame.
2. Performance anxiety: Public speaking is often seen as a performance, and like any other performance, there’s pressure to do well. This pressure can lead to nervousness and anxiety about meeting expectations, delivering a compelling speech, and maintaining the audience’s attention.
3. Lack of experience: Many people do not have much experience speaking in front of a large group, so the unfamiliarity and uncertainty can trigger anxiety. The fear of the unknown and the possibility of things going wrong can be overwhelming.
4. Self-consciousness: Being the centre of attention can make people feel self-conscious. They may become hyper-aware of their gestures, body language, and even their appearance, which can intensify the anxiety.
5. Fear of forgetting or freezing: The concern of forgetting what to say or freezing during the speech can be distressing for individuals. The fear of being unable to recover from a momentary memory lapse adds to the overall anxiety.
6. Past negative experiences: Previous negative experiences with public speaking, such as a bad presentation or being ridiculed during a speech, can create a lasting fear of public speaking. Even a bad experience at school can linger and cause anxiety into adult life.
7. Perceived lack of expertise: People may feel anxious about speaking publicly when they believe they are not experts on the subject matter. The fear of being questioned or challenged on their knowledge can be intimidating.
8. Overestimating the audience’s scrutiny: Anxious speakers may overestimate the level of scrutiny from the audience, assuming that every mistake or hesitation will be noticed and judged harshly.

It’s essential to note that public speaking anxiety is a common and natural reaction. Most people experience some level of nervousness before speaking in public. However, for some individuals, the fear can be severe and debilitating. Fortunately, there are various techniques and strategies, such as practice, preparation, and relaxation techniques, that can help individuals manage and overcome their fear of public speaking. Working with a public speaking coach or seeking professional help for severe anxiety can also be beneficial.

Some basic tips are; know your topic, get organised, practice practice practice, visualise success, do deep breathing, do not fear pauses.

If you would like to read more, you can visit my anxiety page here.

Lindsay xxx