What is a fear of public speaking?
A fear of public speaking, glossophobia, can range from mild nervousness to full-blown panic. One of the most common fears, it triggers dread from giving a wedding toast to delivering a work presentation. Even speaking in smaller groups can feel intimidating for some people.
A lack of self-confidence or low self-esteem can make public speaking more daunting. Public speaking fears are often linked to social and performance anxieties. It can create a cycle of fear that becomes harder to break over time.
The more experienced you are at speaking in public, the less likely you are to experience an overwhelming fear. But important, high-pressure events can still cause some anxiety to surface. Remember, a fear of public speaking is common and doesn’t reflect on your abilities.
Facing your public speaking fears can help you express yourself more confidently in both personal and professional settings. Techniques like gradual exposure, relaxation exercises and talk therapy can be effective. With the right support, you can learn to manage this fear and speak with confidence.
Lionel Logue: Why should I waste my time listening…?
King George VI: Because I have a right to be heard! I have a voice!
Half of the population has some fear of public speaking
15% of people admit to an overwhelming fear of speaking in public
56% of people with a fear of public speaking have avoided applying for certain jobs
67% of people experience public speaking anxiety, making it one of the most common fears
What causes public speaking anxiety?
Experience and Anxiety
Limited experience in public speaking often heightens anxiety. This fear can stem from a genuine concern about embarrassment or rejection. Bad experiences of speaking in front of people, either personal or observed, can trigger and reinforce this anxiety.
Fear of Judgement
The fear of being judged or evaluated is common, especially when presenting to peers or senior colleagues. High-stakes situations, such as job interviews, can intensify this anxiety. In these circumstances, you are often expecting some audience feedback. This makes the fear of public speaking even more challenging.
Experienced Speakers and Anxiety
Even experienced speakers can feel anxious. You may focus more on your feelings and actions than on the speech’s quality. If you are speaking to senior people or with a lot of influence, such as an important client, the pressure can grow.
New Audiences and Situations
Unfamiliar audiences and new environments can unsettle even confident speakers. Presenting new ideas to a different audience can fill people with dread. Perhaps you are comfortable presenting to colleagues but feel apprehensive about speaking at your sports club’s awards ceremony. You may know what to expect from those audiences, yet a wedding speech to a room of friends and family makes you anxious.
Early Experiences and Predisposition
Fears like glossophobia often develop in childhood or early adulthood. You may have a tendency to feel more anxious. You might see yourself negatively as a speaker. You could also struggle with social anxiety.
Understanding these factors can help in addressing and overcoming the fear.
How does it affect people?
Physical Symptoms
The fear of public speaking can cause a dry mouth, excessive sweating or chills. You might experience shortness of breath, an urgent need to use the bathroom or an upset stomach. Sometimes, people start to feel confused or disorientated.
Psychological Symptoms
The psychological impact varies in intensity. You may feel overwhelming anxiety or panic before and during a speaking engagement. In some cases, this fear extends into everyday life and be a social anxiety. You may avoid group conversations or social interactions because you worry about how others view you or potential embarrassment moments.
Professional Impact
Whether speaking to large audiences or handling routine tasks like phone calls, anxiety at work can be debilitating. Even jobs that require regular public interaction, such as customer service roles, can be impacted.
Career and Academic Consequences
Approximately 45% of people believe that a fear of public speaking limits career growth, blocking opportunities for promotions and networking. Students may also experience setbacks as their fear causes them to avoid participating in class or asking questions.
How can it be overcome?
With the right strategies, you can overcome these challenges and use your voice confidently.
Facing the Challenge
Avoiding your fear of speaking in front of people only makes it worse. Facing it gradually is key to reducing its impact.
Fear Ladder
One effective tool is the fear ladder, a technique used in some talking therapies. You and your therapist create a step-by-step plan ranking different situations related to your fear. We start with less intimidating situations and gradually work up to more challenging ones. We emphasise setting small, achievable exposure steps and employing coping strategies that work best for you.
We celebrate each achievement, ensuring progress is steady and manageable at your pace. By monitoring your progress and maintaining flexibility, we ensure that the journey is tailored to your pace.
Preparing Your Speech or Presentation
Planning your talk in detail, especially the first few minutes, can help calm your nerves. Use cue cards or slides to guide you, and picture the setting beforehand to help you feel more in control.
Preparing Yourself
Be ready for any technical problems that could throw you by having a printed copy of your presentation. Make sure you know your material well – a solid understanding will make you feel more confident. Practising breathing exercises and using positive self-talk can help turn your anxiety into focus and motivation.
Cognitive Restructuring
Restructure your thinking by reminding yourself that public speaking isn’t a physical danger. Replace anxious thoughts with positive self-talk. Focus on your message rather than the audience’s reaction, and practice until you feel more comfortable. Rewriting your script with positive language can also help.
Gradually, what once felt terrifying will become a manageable challenge.
On the Day
Being on time will help ease any nerves, so arrive early to settle in and do any technical checks. Run through your presentation and avoid too much caffeine, as it can increase anxiety. Take deep breaths, and if possible, chat with people beforehand to ease into the event. Spending time with other people will also stop you from overthinking on your own.
Therapy
Talking therapy for public speaking can transform your approach. A therapist can help you shift negative thoughts into positive ones and provide tools to manage anxiety. You’ll learn effective breathing techniques and practice scenarios tailored to your needs, helping you build confidence over time.
Medication
If you are severely struggling with speaking in public, consider getting advice from your GP. Medications like beta-blockers for physical symptoms or antidepressants for social anxiety can help.
How can hypnotherapy help?
Hypnotherapy for public speaking is highly effective for those struggling with speaking in front of people, especially when the fear is deeply ingrained in the subconscious. We use relaxation techniques and positive reinforcement to tackle the core of your fear and increase your confidence.
Hypnotherapy helps you tap into your internal resources. It offers a unique gateway into your subconscious mind, directly tackling the fears causing your public speaking anxiety. We help you to retrain both your mind and body responses to more positive ones.
We guide you through mental rehearsals of confident speaking in a secure, supportive environment. This preparation is key to helping your subconscious mind handle real-life speaking situations with greater confidence.
Public speaking hypnotherapy also helps to identify specific triggers for your fear, allowing for more effective preparation. Through positive reinforcement, you can reframe negative thoughts and replace self-criticism with confidence and belief in your abilities. This builds self-confidence and a stronger belief in your own abilities.
Hypnotherapy for public speaking is more than just overcoming a fear; it’s a journey towards personal growth. It lays the groundwork for a life enriched by self-assurance, free from the constraints of anxiety and self-doubt. It empowers you to face public speaking challenges with poise and self-belief.
Our Public Speaking Specialists
Benn Baker-Pollard
Sittingbourne
Claire Noyelle
Maidstone
Dawn Ibbetson
Chelmsford
Emma Bancroft
Rainham, Kent
Emma Treby
Mid Devon
Gary Johannes
Peterborough
Jill Whitehouse
Newcastle upon Tyne
Keeley Smith
Southend-on-Sea
Kerry Seymour
Weston-super-Mare
Marina Love
Aylesbury Vale
Peter Ely
Islington
Samantha Morson
Canvey Island
Victoria Anderson
County Durham
Why Choose Inspired To Change
Our solution focused hypnotherapists empower you to better understand your brain, helping to guide you towards solutions and achieve the outcomes you want. We have a team of fully trained hypnotherapists, giving you the choice of who to work with and how you want to work with them. Solution focused hypnotherapy is just as effective in-person or online in the comfort of your own home, so you can find the ideal therapist to help you reach your goals.
Every one of our hypnotherapists is recognised by governing bodies like the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the UK’s leading not-for-profit hypnotherapy professional association. They have all trained with Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training, one of the leading hypnotherapy schools in the UK.
