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New Help For Stage Fright Sufferers
New Self Help Program can release you
from the paralizing fears of stage fright.
Fear of public speaking is reported to be the number one fear of American adults, with many people experiencing tremendous suffering because of it. This fear often takes a huge toll on peoples' effectiveness in the workplace and in other settings as it stops them from fully expressing their thoughts and ideas in front of others. The fear afflicts not only the timid, but also those who are otherwise seen as confident and outgoing. Many people go to great lengths to avoid speaking up in front of groups, either formally or informally, or their anxiety makes them less effective if they do speak up.
A parallel fear exists for people in the entertainment field. Many singers, musicians, actors, and actresses also suffer from performance anxiety. Even accomplished performers may suffer from intense anxiety and try to avoid public performances when possible.
While a mild level of anxiety is perfectly normal when one is called upon to speak or perform in public, many people suffer from a much higher level of fear and dread. They may experience symptoms of panic, such as heart palpitations, rapid breathing, sweating, trembling or shaking, feeling dizzy, unsteady or lightheaded, feeling detached, and feeling a loss of control over their inability to manage the fear. They may also experience blushing or heat surges, sweating, difficulty concentrating, and thought blocking. Often they experience intense anticipatory anxiety prior to a speaking or performance event, sometimes days, weeks, or months ahead of time.
This fear strongly affects an individual's professional life and prospects for career advancement. Many people give up professional opportunities for advancement if the new position calls for more public speaking or public performance. Some people have left a job or have not gone for higher education to avoid facing their fear. There is clearly much lost potential for individuals, and for society, due to this fear.
Having this fear often takes a big toll on a person's self-confidence and self-esteem, as many people feel embarrassed and ashamed to have such a fear. They may try to keep their fear hidden as much as possible, though they are often afraid of being "found out." They are often intensely uncomfortable and self-conscious with being "in the spotlight" and having others focus attention on them.
A deep fear associated with public speaking or performing is the fear of embarrassment and negative evaluation by others. Many people feel terrified of making a fool of themselves in front of others and fear that people will view them as inadequate in some way. There is often a fear of harsh judgment from others, and a fear of loss of credibility and respect if others find out just how afraid they are. Many people who suffer this fear tend toward perfectionism and are afraid to make mistakes. They are afraid to let others see their fear and vulnerability, fearful of not being seen as strong and in control.
While a person can often successfully avoid situations that require public speaking or performing, the avoidance behavior itself actually worsens the fear. The person comes to believe that he or she cannot handle any speaking or performing situation and that avoidance is the only solution. While the avoidance initially provides a feeling of great relief, it erodes the person's confidence and self-esteem and thus greatly limits and constricts the person's life choices.
While this problem can seem almost impossible to overcome, there is help available! You no longer have to be limited by this fear. For more information on how to overcome this fear, please visit my web site at www.performanceanxiety.com. You may want to read my book, In The SpotLight - Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking and Performing (available on my web site, on Amazon.com, or by special order at your local bookstore). You may also want to consider attending my No More Stage Fright class. Additionally, you may want to speak with your health care professional about herbal or homeopathic remedies or traditional medication to help address the physical symptoms if they are causing a high level of internal discomfort.
Janet E. Esposito, M.S.W.
President, In The SpotLight, LLC
Copyright 2000, Janet Esposito All Rights Reserved
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