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Glossophobia

Glossophobia



What is glossophobia?

Glossophobia isn’t a dangerous disease or chronic condition. It’s the medical term for the fear of public speaking. And it affects as many as four out of 10 Americans.

For those affected, speaking in front of a group can trigger feelings of discomfort and anxiety. With this can come uncontrollable trembling, sweating, and a racing heartbeat. You may also have an overwhelming urge to run out of the room or away from the situation that is causing you stress.

Glossophobia is a social phobia, or social anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders go beyond occasional worrying or nervousness. They cause strong fears that are out of proportion to what you’re experiencing or thinking about.

Anxiety disorders often get worse over time. And they can interfere with your ability to function under some circumstances.

What does glossophobia feel like?

When faced with having to give a presentation, many people experience the classic fight-or-flight response. This is the body’s way of preparing to defend itself against perceived threats.

When threatened, your brain prompts the release of adrenaline and steroids. This causes your blood sugar levels, or energy levels, to increase. And your blood pressure and heart rate rise, sending more blood flow to your muscles.

Common symptoms of fight-or-flight include:

rapid heartbeat

trembling

sweating

nausea or vomiting

shortness of breath or hyperventilating

dizziness

muscle tension

urge to get away

Causes of glossophobia

Although the fight-or-flight response worked well when humans had to fear enemy attacks and wild animals, it isn’t effective in a meeting room. Getting to the root of your fear may help you take effective steps to manage it.

Many people who have a strong fear of public speaking fear being judged, embarrassed, or rejected. They may have had an unpleasant experience, like having given a report in class that didn’t go well. Or they’re being asked to perform on the spot with no preparation.

Though social phobias often run in families, the science behind this isn’t understood. A 2002 study Trusted Source reported that breeding mice that show less fear and anxiety resulted in offspring with less anxiety. But more research is needed to assess whether social phobias are hereditary.

Testing conducted by the National Institute of Mental HealthTrusted Source found that the brains of people with social anxiety have a heightened response when negative comments were read to them. The affected areas were those responsible for self-evaluation and emotional processing. This heightened response wasn’t seen in people without the disorder.

How is glossophobia treated?

If your fear of public speaking is severe or interfering with your everyday life, consult your doctor. They can work with you to develop a targeted treatment plan. Options for treatment plans include:

Psychotherapy

Many people are able to overcome their glossophobia with cognitive behavioral therapy. Working with a therapist can help you identify the root cause of your anxiety. For example, you may discover that you fear ridicule, rather than speaking, because you were mocked as a child.

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:

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. Then remind yourself that your prepared material is great and that you know it well.

Once you’ve identified your fears, practice presenting to small, supportive groups. As your confidence grows, built up to larger audiences.

Medications

If therapy doesn’t relieve your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe one of several medications used to treat anxiety disorders.

Beta-blockers are usually used to treat high blood pressure and some heart disorders. They also can be helpful in controlling the physical symptoms of glossophobia.

Antidepressants are used to treat depression, but they also can be effective in controlling social anxiety.

If your anxiety is severe and affecting your daily life, your doctor may prescribe benzodiazepines like Ativan or Xanax.

Type of Doctor Department : A psychologist for talk therapy or a psychiatrist

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