Answer From Craig N. Sawchuk, Ph.D., L.P. Show Fear of public speaking is a common form of anxiety. It can range from slight nervousness to paralyzing fear and panic. Many people with this fear avoid public speaking situations altogether, or they suffer through them with shaking hands and a quavering voice. But with preparation and persistence, you can overcome your fear. These steps may help:
If you can't overcome your fear with practice alone, consider seeking professional help. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a skills-based approach that can be a successful treatment for reducing fear of public speaking. As another option, your doctor may prescribe a calming medication that you take before public speaking. If your doctor prescribes a medication, try it before your speaking engagement to see how it affects you. Nervousness or anxiety in certain situations is normal, and public speaking is no exception. Known as performance anxiety, other examples include stage fright, test anxiety and writer's block. But people with severe performance anxiety that includes significant anxiety in other social situations may have social anxiety disorder (also called social phobia). Social anxiety disorder may require cognitive behavioral therapy, medications or a combination of the two. With Craig N. Sawchuk, Ph.D., L.P. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise
on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that
information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. May 17, 2017
See more Expert Answers See also
. How will you lessen your nervousness during a presentation?Advertisement. Know your topic. ... . Get organized. ... . Practice, and then practice some more. ... . Challenge specific worries. ... . Visualize your success. ... . Do some deep breathing. ... . Focus on your material, not on your audience. ... . Don't fear a moment of silence.. What suggestions do you have for someone who feels nervous before a presentation?Breathe.
Breathing from your stomach muscles, not your chest, calms the nervous system. Here's what to do: Take a few deep breaths before and even during your presentation. "As you inhale," says Greenberg, "say to yourself 'I am,' and as you exhale, say 'relaxed.
How do you give a nervous presentation?8 Ways to Deliver a Great Presentation (Even If You're Super Anxious About It). 1) It's not about you. It's about your point. ... . 2) Know your point. ... . 3) Let your notes support you. ... . 4) Get loud. ... . 5) Be yourself. ... . 6) Practice meaningfully. ... . 7) Turn nervous energy into excitement. ... . 8) Kill Roy.. |