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I dont know if this is the spot for this but I have an awful, terrible fear of public speaking. I shake, turn red, feel sick, etc. I have a presentation tonight that I have to give in front of group for a Philosophy class I'm taking and I don't know how to overcome this fear. It's a few hours away and I'm making myself sick my nerves are getting to me. If you had/have this, how do/did you overcome it? Thanks!
With such short notice, the best advice I can give is to stay away from caffeine. My father had the same problem. He went to a hypnotist. It worked for a few years. Then it was hit and miss. He eventually realized that he had a worse time when he had caffeine.
Many students have the same problem with public speaking. Some show it more than others, but most feel it inside. So just keep in mind that even if you show it more, nobody is going to judge you. They'll empathize. Remember that. Just stand up there, look slightly over their heads, make eye contact on occasion with one or two people on different sides of the room so it appears you are looking at people. You'll get through it. It won't kill you.
For the long-term, you overcome this by not avoiding it and getting practice. Does you school have a public speaking course? I know it sounds like hell to take it, but it will help you in the future. If you never overcome it, and end up with a career that requires public speaking like my father, there are medications a doctor can prescribe that will help calm you down.
For this short a notice, have a stiff belt, whatever works, whatever you have on hand. Perhaps one now and one just before the speech, however you manage to conceal it. some people simply can't handle public speaking, don't be ashamed to admit it, at least to yourself.
I agree with other posters, for the long-term, get ahold of some zanax, valium, lexapro, whatever you can fanagle from a doctor. Of course, don't take with alcohol!
A quick idea, if you have time---do you have any visual aids, like slides, posters, etc? I've found even a few help, it takes the eyes off me, and we all now focus on the visual. I felt myself relax when i put up a visual, perhaps you can cobble something together, good luck!
Just to clarify, a "stiff belt" is an alcoholic drink. One can kick me on my ass. Don't turn to alcohol unless you know how much is just enough to take the edge off. You don't want to be drunk. It might even make you more nervous if you're self conscious about if people can tell you had a drink.
I have a better idea. Instead of alcohol, take Benedryl. It's commonly used for anxiety and it's non-addictive.
Thank you for the ideas. I'm not a big drinker and if I drink I become incredibly goofy so maybe not a good idea. I probably do need some sort of prescription med for this kind of thing but up until today, I kept thinking I can do this and now its in a couple hours and I'm in full panic mode. I am going to try and type up a powerpoint off of my presentation and hopefully that will help keep eyes off of me at least. School does have a public speaking course but to me that sounds like my own version of hell but it may be for my own good just getting myself to sign up thats another story.
Thank you for the ideas. I'm not a big drinker and if I drink I become incredibly goofy so maybe not a good idea. I probably do need some sort of prescription med for this kind of thing but up until today, I kept thinking I can do this and now its in a couple hours and I'm in full panic mode. I am going to try and type up a powerpoint off of my presentation and hopefully that will help keep eyes off of me at least. School does have a public speaking course but to me that sounds like my own version of hell but it may be for my own good just getting myself to sign up thats another story.
Do the Powerpoint. Take the Benedryl shortly before hand. (Just take one, not the usual two dosage.) Look slightly over their heads.
I know signing up for a public speaking course is hard to imagine, but you will learn all of the tricks. You'll find classmates are very supportive of each other. Everyone opens up and rallies together. I met some of my dearest lifelong friends in public speaking class at college. I'm almost 50, and after all these years we still keep in touch and get together.
I'm not sure if it's appropriate for the type of presentation you're giving, but starting things off with a little laugh (starting off with a funny cartoon, saying something funny) in my experience REALLY eases the tension.
I'm not sure if it's appropriate for the type of presentation you're giving, but starting things off with a little laugh (starting off with a funny cartoon, saying something funny) in my experience REALLY eases the tension.
Yes! Good one! They teach that in public speaking class too!
For a long term solution, practice and practice, the nervousness will go away. In high school, I was terrified of public speaking. In college, I took classes (Speech Communication and Debate) which helped me to get over my fear.
Now, I do it professionally (I work in sales and need to speak in front of strangers all the time, in meetings and tradeshow environments) and enjoy it.
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