How to overcome glossophobia: a journey to confidence in yourself being. Glossophobia sounds like something out of a science fiction movie.

All in all, glossophobia is the fear of public speaking or speaking in front of a group of people. Yeah, I know this one all too well.

I remember my high school graduation when you had to walk across the stage to get your diploma.

Moreover, all I had to do was just walk. It’s not like I had to speak in front of everyone. Good thing I wasn’t the valedictorian.

Hence, I was walking too fast and stumbled a bit. I kept thinking “what if my shoe falls off?” Or “what if I trip and fall?” Everybody will laugh and point at me.

It’s not like they hadn’t laughed at me before in years past. Therefore, I always felt soooo self conscientious when I was around any of my peers (or what I call them now “rejects”).

Causes of Public Speaking Anxiety

Altogether, glossobia may be due to a combination of genetic, environmental, biological, and psychological factors.

Understanding these causes and triggers may help optimize the prevention and treatment of glossophobia.

At length, testing conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health found that the brains of people with social anxiety have a heightened response when negative comments were read to them.

As a result, the affected areas were those responsible for self-evaluation and emotional processing. This heightened response wasn’t seen in people without the disorder.

Symptoms of Glossophobia

How to overcome glossophobia: a journey to confidence is the best road you will ever travel. Glossophobia can cause a variety of physical and emotional symptoms:

Physical symptoms:

• Firstly, increased blood pressure
• Rapid heartbeat
• Dry mouth
• Fourthly, sweating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Trembling body or voice
• Additionally, shortness of breath
• Tense muscles, especially in the upper back
• Chest pain
• Frequent urination
• Lastly, diarrhea

Emotional symptoms:

• Firstly, intense anxiety
• Panic
• Confusion
• Fear
• Additionally, self-doubt
• Agitation
• Anger
• Shame
• Negative self-talk
• Lastly, memory lapse

Severe Presentation Anxiety

Emphatically, severe presentation anxiety is being a kid and having to stand up in front of the class to give a report. I could just hear the gears turning in their heads.

“How scared is she?” “She can’t even talk in complete sentences.” Or maybe that was the gears in my head turning making up these thoughts.

All things considered, I always looked down at the ground when I talked (if any words came out). And I was always the last one to give a report (done on purpose).

Mine was probably the shortest report also. I never did get very good grades on my reports. Gee, I wonder why?

Therefore, if I ever had the chance to do my life over, I would choose to be home schooled!

Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking

Medications

How to overcome glossophobia: a journey to confidence can be a short or long road, you choose. Generally, medications can help control symptoms of glossophobia depending on the individual’s situation and past treatments. Some medications that may help include:

Beta blockers

Nonetheless, these short-term medications, such as propranolol, can help reduce physical symptoms of speaking anxiety, such as increased heart rate, sweating, and dizziness. They can be taken before a speech or presentation.

Anti-anxiety medications

Meanwhile, these medications, such as benzodiazepines, like lorazepam or clonazepam, may help prevent or control symptoms of anxiety or panic attacks. If your anxiety is severe and affecting your daily life, your doctor may prescribe benzodiazepines like Ativan or Xanax.

Antidepressants

In brief, these medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like Paxil and Zoloft, can help manage stress levels and mood. They also control social anxiety. They can be used for longer-term treatment of SAD.

Other strategies for overcoming glossophobia include:

• Firstly, cognitive behavioral therapy, which involves talking to a therapist or completing online exercises
• Training courses in public speaking
• Additionally, organizations such as Toastmasters International, POWERtalk International, and Association of Speakers Clubs
• Cultural activities at school level
• Lastly, practicing presenting to small, supportive groups, and then building up to larger audiences

Together, you and your therapist will explore your fears and the negative thoughts that go with them. Your therapist can teach you ways to reshape any negative thoughts.

Examples of this might include:

Therefore, instead of thinking “I can’t make any mistakes,” accept that all people make mistakes or have omissions when presenting. It’s okay. Most of the time the audience isn’t aware of them.

Instead of “Everyone will think I’m incompetent,” focus on the fact that the audience wants you to succeed. In effect, remind yourself that your prepared material is great and that you know it well.

The 3 P’s of Public Speaking Anxiety

How to overcome glossophobia: a journey to confidence with the 3 P’s. So, how can we make speaking less stressful for youth? The answer is the three P’s – Purpose, Preparation and Practice.

Purpose

The first “P,” which is Purpose. It is more motivating to present a speech, demonstration or defend class placings when it relates to something kids already care about. Also to have a purpose for sharing with others.

Preparation

The second “P” cannot be emphasized enough. Preparation is where much of the initial fear of presenting can be minimized. 

Therefore, planning (another p!) is the first step. It’s hard to argue with the fundamentals of research, outlines, and drafts.

Consequently, knowing in advance what one wants to say, and the best order in which to say it, is a cornerstone of an effective presentation.

Preparation could also involve creating visual aids and choosing props if those are part of the presentation.

Also, visual aids can be a great way to incorporate prompts to guide the presentation without using actual notes.

Practice

Finally comes the third “P,” which is Practice. In any event, practice does not mean memorizing, but rather delivering the presentation enough times that the flow and pace is relaxed.

Also, so the speaker has a good handle on the introduction, body, and conclusion of the presentation.

Practicing alone, video recording and presenting for friends and family all give youth confidence in advance of the contest.

Sum It All Up

How to overcome glossophobia: a journey to confidence that I know you will travel. Anxiety and public speaking go hand in hand.

Therefore, if I had a job and had to give a presentation at work, I would quit. I can’t even go into the store without anxiety.

Ok, so maybe I’m being too hard on myself. My self-confidence has grown exponentially. Nevertheless, each new fear that I conquer is added to the list on the bulletin board in my head.

Regardless, I look at it when I have those dark days knowing that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. Now, I look forward to adding social anxiety to that list. Someday… Peace be with you. Until next time…

You’ll get there someday soon if you haven’t already. Keep looking at all the accomplishments on your bulletin board and smile! 😉

Articles About Glossophobia

How is Glossophobia Treated

https://www.healthline.com/health/glossophobia#treatment

-Nervous yet Unstoppable: Public Speaking even when you’re Scared

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/nervous-yet-unstoppable-public-speaking-even-when-emma-simpson-cpcc

-Glossophobia (Fear of Public Speaking): Signs, Symptoms, & Treatments

https://www.choosingtherapy.com/glossophobia

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy, One Voice In The Vastness Of Emotions

“According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”― Jerry Seinfeld

“All of us are born with a set of instinctive fears, of falling, of the dark, of lobsters, of falling on lobsters in the dark, or speaking before the Rotary Club, or the words ‘some assembly required.’” – Dave Barry

“The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.” – George Jessel

Related Posts

Finding Your Voice: Conquering Social Anxiety in the Workplace(Opens in a new browser tab)

From Bad To Worse: A Story Of Anxiety And Bipolar(Opens in a new browser tab)

Types Of Social Anxiety Disorders(Opens in a new browser tab)

How To Overcome Phone Phobia(Opens in a new browser tab)