Public Speaking - Tips for Managing Public Speaking Anxiety

Anxiety before presentations and speeches can be observed in many individuals. Dry throat, dizziness, and stuttering are the normal responses before and during public speaking. But in some cases, people can develop irrational fear of public speaking and go beyond the normal responses. Those who are suffering from fear of public speaking may experience different symptoms such as, extreme anxiety before communicating anything in front of groups, avoidance of the gatherings in which they will have to talk with groups, and physical discomfort (nausea, sweating, hot or cold flushes).

This type of fear induces speech problems. People may stutter, forget words or experience phonological problems during talk. This fear becomes worst when it leads to panic attacks. Panic attacks are an expression of anxiety. When someone loses his control in front of groups or public, he will experience a panic attack. These panic attacks are situational bound panic attacks in which a person experiences an attack when he confronts anxiety provoking stimulus. Individual may experience accelerated heartbeat, sweating, breathing difficulties, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, lack of control over himself, fear of dying, numbness and hot or cold flush during a panic attack. In this case, facing public is anxiety provoking stimulus, which induces the above mentioned symptoms.

We need to manage the fear of public speaking and resulting panic attacks. First, I will focus on managing the fear of public speaking. Usually psychologists talk about management instead of treatment. This is because, various factors contribute in development of psychological problems, and there are strong chances of relapse. There are several things that can reduce fear of public speaking. Practice before speech or presentation is essential. One should learn at least the first portion of presentation by heart. People should keep prints of speech with them to take help whenever they stuck. It is better to use multimedia during presentation, because it helps to maintain the flow of presentation. It can be helpful to deliver the speech in front of family members or friends. One should ask for feedback to enhance skills. Always keep in mind that, the audiences do not know about the area you are presenting in, they are students and you are the teacher who will introduce them on the topic. This will help in reducing the fear of audience.

Now, we will discuss on the ways that can be helpful in controlling panic attacks during public speaking. The first thing is to accept your problem as the problem. Never be ignorant and wait for miracles to prevent you from disastrous public speaking. Accepting will enable you to find solutions for your own problems. Sometimes speakers feel that their hidden anxieties are in the spotlight, and the audiences can see what they are feeling. This is the misconception of speakers. Certain anxieties go unnoticed and the audiences are not interested in embarrassing you at personal levels. Try to be positive in your approach and tell yourself that "I have the ability to accomplish my task, and overcome my weaknesses". Psychotherapy values such self-instruction to enhance self-control over acts. Once, you are able to assure yourself, you can prove your talent to the audience. Anxiety is the thing that makes your processes faster. You can use your aroused conditions positively, and make your speeches and presentations more enthusiastic. If you think that now you will experience a panic attack, you will surely have. When you are feeling aroused, tell your mind that you are prepared to face these attacks right now. In this way, you will be able to manage your fear of public speaking.