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Modhi Al Asani

Public Speaking Fear And How To Ease It




Glossophobia is the term for fear of speaking in front of groups. Individuals with glossophobia frequently feel anxious and fearful when speaking in front of a crowd (Syed et al.). As a result, many people shy away from public speaking to shield themselves from ridicule or rejection. According to research, the most prevalent phobia is public speaking, which affects over 75% of people (Staley).


Individuals who suffer from fear of public speaking have symptoms that range from "knots in the stomach, sweaty palms, dry mouth, shaky legs and tightness in the throat. In extreme cases, sufferers experience nausea, panic attacks and excessive anxiety" (Johnson and Johnson). Most of these signs are brought on by the body's increased production of adrenaline as a result of the flight-or-fight response. Public speaking is one of many circumstances where nervousness or anxiety is normal. Other aspects of what is known as performance anxiety include stage fright, test anxiety, and writer's block. However, a social anxiety disorder may present in people with severe performance anxiety, including significant worry in other social situations (Sawchuk).


There are various strategies to reduce that fear, such as preparing to speak in front of an audience by choosing a topic you are interested in, knowing your content, practicing, understanding your audience, and combating negative thinking by anticipating good responses(Staley). "As per the viewpoint of health care professionals, Tacheva (2013) asserts that 'The verbal register, intonation, articulation, pronunciation, tone, rhythm, dialect define the character of the communicative impact as positive or negative depending on whether they facilitate or hinder the achievement of communicative purpose' (p. 605). People can overcome this problem by practicing in small groups of peers and then moving on to larger audiences"(Raja).


Additionally, when people advance in their careers, they are more likely to speak up at meetings, seminars, and conferences and offer their opinions on the topics at hand, increasing the demand for public speaking abilities. However, some people have restlessness and sleeping problems when speaking in front of an audience due to their fear of public speaking (Raja). The desensitization technique, which teaches participants to control their fear by enabling them to gradually face it through exposure to the anxious scenario repeatedly, is comparable to the mixed behavioral format emphasizing practice situations, according to a study by Akin and Kunzman (1974). As a result, those who prepare thoroughly before speaking in front of an audience are more likely to be confident and provide effective presentations (Raja).


Though there are multiple ways to overcome the fear of public speaking, some are unable to do it on their own, and are advised by the writer of "Fear of public speaking: How can I overcome it?" as he states, "If you can't overcome your fear with practice alone, consider seeking professional help. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a skills-based approach that can be a successful treatment for reducing fear of public speaking" (Sawchuk). In general, overcoming glossophobia is not simple and requires the affected individual's patience, willingness, and commitment (Syed et al.). But if treated as a skill, public speaking can be tremendously improved.


Sources


Johnson, Ros, and Neil Johnson. "How to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking." How to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking | British Council, 10 Oct. 2016, https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/how-overcome-fear-public-speaking. Raja, Farhan. "Anxiety Level in Students of Public Speaking: Causes and Remedies." Journal of Education and Educational Development, June 2017, https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1161521.pdf. Syed, Ali. "Glossophobia: What Is It, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and More | Osmosis." Edited by Ahaana Singh and Lisa Miklush, OSMOSIS From ELSEVIER, https://www.osmosis.org/answers/glossophobia. Staley, Kathleen H. "30 Ways to Manage Speaking Anxiety." IOWA, https://counseling.uiowa.edu/self-help/30-ways-to-manage-speaking-anxiety/. Sawchuk, Craig N. "Fear of Public Speaking: How Can I Overcome It?" Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 17 May 2017, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/specific-phobias/expert-answers/fear-of-public-speaking/faq-2 0058416. Akin, C., & Kunzman, G. G. (2012).A group desensitization approach to public speaking anxiety. Canadian Journal of Counseling and Psychotherapy, 8(2), 106-111.

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