This anxiety of public speaking is termed as Glossophobia, and is defined as fear of speaking to a group or fear of public speaking. Sufferers actively seek to avoid situation which may entail them to make a speech or a presentation. Glossophobia can adversely stop you from making the best of many opportunities. There is no cure for Glossophobia but it can be managed effectively.

Speech anxiety is a common problem.  Most of us suffer different degrees of speech anxiety and it is not something to be ashamed of to admit it. Even many seasoned professional who spend their entire careers in the public glare suffer from Glossophobia. A large population of people all over the world suffers from speech anxiety.

Signs of Glossophobia

Symptoms of Glossophobia can occur to some people even by simple suggestions that require the person to be concise and persuasive. The symptoms can range from:

- Heavy perspiration especially in the face and hands.
- Dry mouth and throat
- Feeling of butterflies in the stomach
- Acute self consciousness
- Enhanced hearing
- Stuttering

To more serious symptoms which include:
- Nausea
- Feeling faint
- Panic attack

Causes

The exact cause of Glossophobia is unknown. But generally people experience speech anxiety attack when they feel that they might look foolish in front of many people, especially if the people involved are of particular importance to them.

There are also possibilities that negative experience of a similar situation may cause the development of Glossophobia over time. It is more common in people prone to being anxious and the symptoms of Glossophobia are more sever in them as well.

Coping with Speech anxiety

The most effective way to deal with speech anxiety is to simply prepare well and leave nothing to chance. Prepare your material, know exactly what you are going to talk about and know who your audiences are going to be. Always practice, either alone or in front of a mirror or people you are comfortable with or even your dog.

Keep things simple and short enough to get your message across. This makes managing your preparation simpler.

It is not always that you will get time or have time for a good preparation/practice. In such cases always remember, a good beginning can do wonders to calm your nerves so at the very least find time to prepare the initial part of your speech well and focus on executing it as planned.

For people with more extreme degree of speech anxiety there are certain drugs such as beta blockers that can sooth the nerves before a speech. However to deal with the root causes options such as counseling, psychotherapy etc are recommended.

Summary

Anxiety of public speaking is a problem most of us face in various degrees. And the symptoms differ according to the degree of the problem. The exact cause of Glossophobia is unknown however it is possible to manage speech anxiety and there are strategies and methods of helping people to deal with it this problem.

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If you want to improve your speaking techiques, then you should check out how this former manager who had fear of speaking turn his presentation into a roaring success with his company's management and what techniques did he use that made him change his job and become a public speaker today.

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