This is a multi-part series explaining how to overcome public speaking fear.→ This is the first article in the series→ Next: What causes social anxiety?At the core of your social anxiety is a fear that you will be judged negatively by others. The more you fear negative judgment, the more intense your symptoms and the…
→ Previous: Overview→ Next: 9 FactorsSocial anxiety is typically caused by a combination of predisposing factors + a life stressor. Some of the pre-disposing factors could be: check Heredity (anxiety in your family) or other biological/medical causes check You were bullied check Your parents or authority figures communicate an overly cautious view of the world check…
→ Previous: 9 factors→ Next: Why is my body doing this?Every individual is unique and may have different symptoms (or combinations of symptoms). Here are some typical social anxiety symptoms: check Feeling awkward check Self-focused awareness (focusing on how you’re performing vs. other person) check Mind going blank and difficulty concentrating check Freezing (“deer in…
→ Previous: Symptoms list→ Next: Severe vs. normal symptoms​Question”Why is it when I’m in a new situation my body reacts by getting shaky and I feel on edge and physically sick, yet in my brain I know it’s not a big deal? Like the other day I was going to an acquaintance’s business to talk…
→ Previous: Why is my body doing this?→ Next: How can I reduce my fear?Think of social anxiety on a continuum of 0 to 100. Where 0 = no anxiety and 100 = worst anxiety you can imagine. Here are a few important points: check No one is at a zero in every social situation. (Even…
→ Previous: Severe vs. normal symptoms→ Next: How can I desensitize?Overcoming social anxiety boils down to three things. 1. You gotta really want it! You have two voices. One voice focuses on the fear. The other voice focuses on wanting more freedom and a higher quality of life. The second voice says “I want this now.”…
→ Previous: How can I reduce my fear?→ Next: Treatment optionsWhen you have social anxiety, the primitive fear center in your brain (the amygdala) is setting off false alarms. The amygdala thinks a situation is dangerous when it is not dangerous. To change this, you need to desensitize your amygdala. You can do this through…
→ Previous: How can I desensitize?→ Next: Medications vs. CBTAnxiety management techniques vs. a treatment programIf you have social anxiety, you’ve probably heard people say “do deep breathing” or do progressive muscle relaxation. These are helpful anxiety management techniques, but they are not a comprehensive treatment program. To overcome social anxiety, you need more than…
→ Previous: Social anxiety treatment options→ This is the last article in the seriesHere’s how I think about medications vs. cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).Maybe in time humans will come up with the perfect treatment for social anxiety i.e. one that works for all individuals all of the time. But at this point, that does not exist….
→ Previous: Causes→ Next: SymptomsThere are 9 factors that maintain and exacerbate your public speaking fear despite repeated exposure to public speaking situations. The key factors that maintain and exacerbate your speaking anxiety are:Negative core beliefs about yourself and others. Negative automatic thoughts.Paying attention to the negative and ignoring positive/neutral feedback (attentional bias).Self-focused attention.Negative self-image.Avoidance.Safety behaviors.Anticipatory…
These are the best Generalized anxiety disorder tests. They are statistically valid and/or based on the DSM-5.
This article was updated December 16, 2024 What are some of the best free anxiety chat rooms? We’ll show you the ones to visit and the ones to avoid! What’s Inside 1. A list of anxiety chat rooms and alternatives2. A few things to think about before diving in3. Reviews and ratings of 5 free chat rooms4. Alternatives to anxiety…
Why do some people fear one-on-one conversations but are perfectly comfortable speaking to large audiences? And why is it the complete opposite for other people?
Need help?Know someone who does?Contact the Disaster Distress HelplineCall 1-800-985-5990Contact the National Domestic Violence HotlineCall 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224 Millions of people around the world are trying to cope with the stress and anxiety of the Coronavirus crisis. Will I and my family get the virus? How will we pay the bills and for how long…
→ Previous: Causes→ Next: SymptomsThere are 9 factors that maintain and exacerbate your social anxiety despite repeated exposure to social situations. The key factors that maintain and exacerbate your social anxiety are:Negative core beliefs about yourself and others. Negative automatic thoughts.Paying attention to the negative and ignoring positive/neutral feedback (attentional bias).Self-focused attention.Negative self-image.Avoidance.Safety behaviors.Anticipatory anxiety.Negative post-event…
→ Previous: Social anxiety treatment options→ This is the last article in the seriesHere’s how I think about medications vs. cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).Maybe in time humans will come up with the perfect treatment for social anxiety i.e. one that works for all individuals all of the time. But at this point, that does not exist….
→ Previous: How can I desensitize?→ Next: Medications vs. CBTAnxiety management techniques vs. a treatment programIf you have social anxiety, you’ve probably heard people say “do deep breathing” or do progressive muscle relaxation. These are helpful anxiety management techniques, but they are not a comprehensive treatment program. To overcome social anxiety, you need more than…
→ Previous: How can I reduce my fear?→ Next: Treatment optionsWhen you have social anxiety, the primitive fear center in your brain (the amygdala) is setting off false alarms. The amygdala thinks a situation is dangerous when it is not dangerous. To change this, you need to desensitize your amygdala. You can do this through…
→ Previous: Severe vs. normal symptoms→ Next: How can I desensitize?Overcoming social anxiety boils down to three things. 1. You gotta really want it! You have two voices. One voice focuses on the fear. The other voice focuses on wanting more freedom and a higher quality of life. The second voice says “I want this now.”…
→ Previous: Why is my body doing this?→ Next: How can I reduce my fear?Think of social anxiety on a continuum of 0 to 100. Where 0 = no anxiety and 100 = worst anxiety you can imagine. Here are a few important points: check No one is at a zero in every social situation. (Even…
→ Previous: Symptoms list→ Next: Severe vs. normal symptoms​Question”Why is it when I’m in a new situation my body reacts by getting shaky and I feel on edge and physically sick, yet in my brain I know it’s not a big deal? Like the other day I was going to an acquaintance’s business to talk…
→ Previous: 9 factors→ Next: Why is my body doing this?Every individual is unique and may have different symptoms (or combinations of symptoms). Here are some typical social anxiety symptoms: check Feeling awkward check Self-focused awareness (focusing on how you’re performing vs. other person) check Mind going blank and difficulty concentrating check Freezing (“deer in…
→ Previous: Overview→ Next: 9 FactorsSocial anxiety is typically caused by a combination of predisposing factors + a life stressor. Some of the pre-disposing factors could be: check Heredity (anxiety in your family) or other biological/medical causes check You were bullied check Your parents or authority figures communicate an overly cautious view of the world check…
This is a multi-part series explaining how to overcome social anxiety.→ This is the first article in the series→ Next: What causes social anxiety?At the core of your social anxiety is a fear that you will be judged negatively by others. The more you fear negative judgment, the more intense your symptoms and the more…
Here’s my storyA year ago I developed arthritis in my thumbs. I was devastated to lose my ability to open doors and the myriad of activities that require thumbs. I’m pretty young and healthy…so why is this happening to me? My doctor recommended taking joint supplements, icing, and getting thumb braces. After several months of…
There’s a common myth floating around that everyone wants public recognition. Throughout my work in a variety of organizations, that myth seems widespread among managers (fortune 50’s, internet startups, non-profits, etc.). It’s true that everyone wants credit and recognition for their hard work. However, some personality types may prefer private recognition. Other personality types may prefer…
As a manager and executive in high-pressure jobs, I’ve had to learn to cultivate calm and well-being. And by “cultivate” I mean planting a seed and nurturing it over time. It doesn’t happen overnight. It takes daily cultivation and nurturing. A few years ago I decided to learn mindfulness techniques for anxiety and well-being. I bought…
To boost your confidence, try the Kick app. After downloading the app, you’ll see a “Kick of the Day.” A kick is a simple exercise. Every day you’ll get a new exercise. If you do the confidence exercises every day, you should see a boost in your confidence. Personally, I really like this app. I gave…
Separation anxiety in dogs can be exasperating! You just don’t know what to do. Is it hard for your dog to be alone? Does it bark, whine and get agitated? Maybe it even engages in destructive behavior in the house or crate. Here are 7 techniques you can use to manage separation anxiety in dogs. These techniques…
Dr. Susan Corapi, a specialist in children’s literature, recently asked me to comment on several books for children with anxiety and depression. She wanted to know how accurate these books were from a psychological point of view. I asked Dr. Corapi about the goal of books for children with anxiety and depression. She explained that the goal is not to give help…
The most accurate anxiety disorder statisticsThe World Health Organization (WHO), Harvard University, University of Michigan, and country-based researchers worldwide are in the process of collecting anxiety disorder statistics for the The World Mental Health Survey Initiative (WMH). The surveys cover 27 countries in all regions of the world and collect statistics about the prevalence of mental, substance, and behavioral disorders. The core…
Create your own list of positive affirmations by selecting from the affirmations below. Pick around 30 of your favorite affirmations and read them out loud once a day for twelve weeks. Let us know how this exercise changed your perspective and behavior. Tell us in the Comments below.Why create a list of positive affirmations?Your mind is like a mirror – it…
What is self hypnosis for stress and anxiety relief?Self hypnosis for stress and anxiety relief is where you drift into a relaxed state-of-mind, and where you make your mind highly responsive to your imagination, thereby changing your behavior. (Check out the audio example below.) Hypnosis is based on the fact that you’re most receptive to new ideas and…
Dr. Susan Corapi, a specialist in children’s literature, recently asked me to comment on several books for children with anxiety and depression. She wanted a Psychologist’s perspective, and wanted to know how accurate these books were from a psychological point of view. I asked Dr. Corapi about the goal of books for children with anxiety and depression. She explained…
Take this public speaking anxiety test to see if you have a public speaking phobia.
Not only does your phobia interfere with your life but it affects everyone around you.
Coping with panic attacks tip: Fear doesn’t last long. Wait and give fear time to pass.
See anxiety symptoms explained in this course and books. RedditQuestion Do you have a really good readings on anxiety symptoms? I live in EU so it should be something available worldwide. When you say do you have a good readings on anxiety symptoms? Do you mean do I have any good books to recommend on…
Nice thing about a webinar, you can conduct a poll and get audience interaction and feedback.
One of the best places to hear great presentations is TED.com. You may want to check out Garr Reynolds.
Speakers at TED.com are setting new standards and pushing new boundaries for speaking engagement and visuals.
I can do standup but hate it when people sing happy birthday to me.
60-70% of the US population has low public speaking fear and 30-40% has medium-to-high fear.
The truth is, most situations aren’t as competitive or hostile as you might think.
In addition to books, there are training options like Coursera, EdX, Lynda.com and SpeakMeister.com.
Propranolol and beta-blockers can be very helpful for public speaking anxiety.
To show that you heard and understood what someone just said, repeat (like a parrot) exactly what the other person said.
Prove to your brain every day that little mistakes and imperfections don’t matter.
We’re always deeply touched and rooting for the person who has had to overcome difficult obstacles to achieve their goals.
Learn the fear management techniques and to apply the techniques in a safe environment.
Do these subtle relaxation exercises as you’re waiting your turn to speak.
Using the Myers-Briggs definition, there is no correlation between introversion and public speaking anxiety.
Great job! You developed a passion that took your focus off the fear and you desensitized your fear with repetition.
The best way to handle those kinds of situations is with a sense of humor.
One is maintaining a sense of humor and not taking things too seriously!
When I think of types of performance anxieties, I see them on a spectrum (1) formal situation <----> informal situation, and (2) small group <-----> large group. The key is where they feel the most potential for negative judgement.
I have seen huge improvements with people when they practice public speaking, they become much more confident in a whole variety of social situations.
Here are some of the most common “thought patterns” that cause anxiety and nervousness. I’ve also included some possible counter-thoughts you can use.
The law of habituation says the more you do something, the less you fear it. That works as long as you’re not scaring yourself with fearful thoughts.
(1) Stressors, (2) pre-disposing factors, (3) fearful thoughts and (4) your nervous system gets conditioned to trigger a fear response in a specific situation.
Take a social anxiety test. Find out whether you have social anxiety and the severity level.
How to overcome anxiety using gradual exposure.
There’s no doubt, anxiety can mess up your career. So where can you find jobs for people with anxiety? If you have social anxiety, it can be stressful to interview for jobs, have one-on-one conversations, participate in meetings, have your performance evaluated, talk to authority figures (your boss, executives, etc.), sell your ideas to others, manage…
An app that helps you improve your mood.
