Glossophobia or the Fear of Public Speaking

Glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking, is quite common. In fact, some experts estimate that as much as 77% of the population has some level of anxiety regarding public speaking. For many of us, it can be very uncomfortable to speak in public and be the center of attention and even if we do it, it's often not without some trepidation and fear.

If your fear is significant enough to cause problems in work, school, or in social settings, then it is possible that you suffer from a full-blown phobia. Because of how often the skill of public speaking is required in our daily life, this phobia can be very debilitating. Even ordering a coffee can feel like an impossibility. It can take a lot of practice and experience to overcome, but many people are able to manage and control the fear.

You may never be comfortable enough to speak on camera, but it is more than possible for you to at least become comfortable in social and professional situations where you may be required to speak.

Glossophobia and Social Phobia

Glossophobia is a subset of social phobia, the fear of social situations. Most people with glossophobia do not exhibit symptoms of other types of social phobia, such as fear of meeting new people or fear of performing tasks in front of others. In fact, many people with glossophobia are able to dance or sing on stage, provided they do not have to talk. Nonetheless, stage fright is a relatively common experience in those with glossophobia.

Glossophobia can even occur in front of just a few people. In a child, it may present as the child desperately hoping they won't get called on in class to answer a question. It may cause you to avoid situations where you may become the focus of attention. This can have a dramatic effect on your life.

Symptoms

Physical symptoms of glossophobia may include:

• Sweating
• Increased heart rate
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea
• Headache
• Muscle tension
• Need to urinate

In order to clinically diagnosed with an actual phobia, a psychiatrist or other mental health professional would have to assess whether or not your symptoms match the criteria laid out in the DSM: For example:

• The fear is excessive and unreasonable
• The fear reaction is immediate, and out of proportion to the danger
• You go out of your way to avoid the situation, or endure it with extreme distress
• The phobia is life-limiting, lasts at least six months, and is not caused by another disorder
  

Complications

The vast majority of careers involve some level of public speaking, from participating in meetings to giving presentations to clients. If your phobia is severe, you may find yourself unable to perform these necessary tasks. This can lead to consequences up to and including losing your job.

People who have social phobias also have a higher than normal risk of developing conditions such as depression or other anxiety disorders. This is likely due to the feelings of isolation that can develop over time and the compounding stress that facing such anxiety on a regular basis can cause.

Treatment Options

Glossophobia can be successfully treated in a variety of ways. One of the most common is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). You will learn to replace your messages of fear with more positive self-talk. You will also learn relaxation techniques and what to do when you experience a panic attack. You will gradually confront your fear in a safe and controlled environment, which is a major component of exposure therapy.

Medications may also be prescribed to help you get control of your fear. Medication is generally used in conjunction with therapy rather than on its own.

Once you have successfully worked through the worst of your fear, you might want to consider joining a speaking group such as Toastmasters. These groups can help you polish your public speaking skills through repetition and constructive criticism from fellow members. Building confidence in your ability to speak in public can further reduce your anxiety. Finding a supportive group of like-minded people can go a long way to making you feel more comfortable speaking in public.

While many people have some degree of fear of public speaking, glossophobia can be life-limiting. The success rate for treatment is extremely high. The first step is to find a therapist that you trust who can help you work through the fear.