GLOSSOPHOBIA: Fear of Public Speaking
Does the thought of standing up in front of a group of people to speak make your mouth dry? Would you rather die than give a presentation to your peers at a company gathering? Well, you’re not alone. The global #1 phobia is the fear of public speaking. Second is the fear of dying (necrophobia). One could conclude from that comparison that some people would rather be in their grave than stand up to the podium and give a talk. This is serious!
This fear extends way beyond the workplace to include church, family reunions, wedding toasts, and numerous other situations where the focus in a group setting can be directed to individuals in attendance. Although men more than women seek treatment to cure their fear of public speaking, don’t think this fear is just for men; women are equally affected.
The specific symptoms of speech anxiety are grouped into three categories: physical, verbal and non-verbal. Physical symptoms are the direct result of the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system responding to the situation with a “fight or flight” reaction. These symptoms include:
- Eyes (dilated pupils)
- Increase heart rate
- Ears (acute hearing)
- Increased blood pressure
- Dry mouth
- Increased perspiration
- Stiff muscles (neck/upper back)
- Increased oxygen intake
Verbal symptoms include vocalized pauses (“Umms” and “Ahhs”) and are usually accompanied with a tense or quivering voice. Non-verbal symptoms include pacing, repetitious standing and sitting, and nervously combing fingers through hair.
Many public speakers seeking treatment have turned to beta-blockers (bind to the adrenalin receptors of the heart) or hypnosis therapy for relief. If left untreated, the fear of public speaking will have negative effects on your professional life and can affect your family environment as well.
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