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Public Speaking Phobia
What is it?
A public speaking phobia
involves physical panic symptoms, anticipatory anxiety and avoidance
centered on various performance situations. Physical panic symptoms
include rapid heart beat, breathing pattern changes, a sense of blushing,
voice tremors, limb tremors, dry mouth, gastrointestinal disturbances,
dizziness, mental confusion/blanking out, a sense of urgency to leave the
situation. The thought process involves a hyperawareness of the focus of
the attention of other people, an assumption of an embarrassing outcome and
a harsh self-assessment of themselves. The feared situations range from
formal speech settings to unexpected spontaneous talks to reading in public
to introducing oneself to a group to one on one phone calls. Anticipatory
anxiety is a major component in the distress caused by this phobia and
usually begins the instant the phobic person becomes aware of the
possibility of having to perform. There are strong urges to avoid, often
regardless of the cost. Most people with this phobia have adequate speaking
skills and many are actually talented speakers. However, major life
decisions have frequently centered on the need to avoid any possibility of
performance situations.
How is it treated?
There is effective
treatment available for public speaking phobics. This includes
cognitive-behavioral treatment, medications or a combination of the two
approaches. Cognitive-behavioral therapy involves the correction of
irrational (catastrophic/perfectionistic) thoughts to more reality-based
thought patterns regarding performing, education regarding distracting and
panic-management techniques to use during speaking instances, practicing and
desensitizing. Medications are most often prescribed by psychiatrists with
specific experience treating this phobia and may include various medication
options (antidepressants, antianxiety agents, beta-blockers).
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