SEVERE STAGE FRIGHT. HELP!
Hi, I have extremely bad stage fright and it is really putting a hold on my ability to participate in class. It is so bad that I cant even raise my hand in class or even get up to do something. I turn beat red when theres any attention on me. How can I fix a problem like this? Yes, I know with practice it will work, but I am mortified!! Can anyone relate??? I also have a hard time walking through campus because I feel like people are staring at me and thinking Im weird.
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Guest
You sound exactly like me. I can't tell you how to overcome this because I still struggle with it. I practice avoidance behavior, which I know is the wrong thing to do. All I can say is that we both need to keep working the program and not give up. There is hope. I keep going back to lesson #3. That seems to address the root of my problem.
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Guest
Guys, I know exactly how you feel. I have suffered from "stage fright" all my life. And as you describe, it is not mild, it is such a devastating feeling, you want to die.
Nevertheless, while at University I was able to belong to this great group of friends and feel loved, secure and confident. This, together with positive self talk, really boost my self confidence. We even made a rock band and won various talent shows, I was the singer, so you can imagine the nerves, but I just went for it.
Then, I started to work, I am an Industrial Engineer, and all of a sudden I was constantly pointed out to give presentations, I wanted to die, I even quit once, but thankfully they hired me back. I went thru this program about 10 years ago and it help me move on. I was continuously promoted and became Manager/Team Leader. Can you imagine. Then, I started to get all this anxiety due to all the pressure at a given moment and I became ill, diagnosed as Generalized anxiety disorder. Again, I could not stand in front of a crowd. Finally I lost my 20 year job and am recovering at this moment.
My advice, you need to build up your self confidence, "it's no big deal" and then face your fears, bit by bit. Once you feel comfortable, continue to challenge yourself, do not fall in a comfort zone, this will help you loose all the coping skills acquired thru this program. Just believe in yourself, imagine yourself doing great, feel the joy, and always see the good in every action taken.
Wish you the best!
Attract...
Nevertheless, while at University I was able to belong to this great group of friends and feel loved, secure and confident. This, together with positive self talk, really boost my self confidence. We even made a rock band and won various talent shows, I was the singer, so you can imagine the nerves, but I just went for it.
Then, I started to work, I am an Industrial Engineer, and all of a sudden I was constantly pointed out to give presentations, I wanted to die, I even quit once, but thankfully they hired me back. I went thru this program about 10 years ago and it help me move on. I was continuously promoted and became Manager/Team Leader. Can you imagine. Then, I started to get all this anxiety due to all the pressure at a given moment and I became ill, diagnosed as Generalized anxiety disorder. Again, I could not stand in front of a crowd. Finally I lost my 20 year job and am recovering at this moment.
My advice, you need to build up your self confidence, "it's no big deal" and then face your fears, bit by bit. Once you feel comfortable, continue to challenge yourself, do not fall in a comfort zone, this will help you loose all the coping skills acquired thru this program. Just believe in yourself, imagine yourself doing great, feel the joy, and always see the good in every action taken.
Wish you the best!
Attract...
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Guest
I also go through the same thing. I will be sitting in class and will practice anything that I am going to say out loud. How I am going to say it. Does it make sense? If I have to read in front of the class, I will continuously read over any part I have to read instead of paying attention. Just to make sure I know how to pronounce all of the words or whatever. Oh, and forget oral presentations..hate them-they make me sick to my stomach. It's so horrible. It's very consuming and constricting to feel this way.I know it will get better if I just ignore these feelings and do it.