Are you Glossophobic?
Does communicating with the public at large fill you
with nervousness, fear and anxiety?
INTRODUCTION
In today’s competitive era of globalization,
digitalization & professionalism an individual is supposed to stay very
confident and impactful in public for building interpersonal relations and
networks however several of them can’t perform well due to intense fear and
anxiety which causes severe nervousness and panic situations for them.
Being a best public speaker can help in advancement of
the career,
widening up of business and formation of relations worldwide by promoting ideas
to society at large. To perform there’s a need of standing in front of an
audience and delivering. And mostly the barrier is fear penetrating inside you
and the concerned audience.
Meaning
Glossophobia
is a term derived from the greek words glosso: tongue and phobos: terror or
fear. Therefore it is fear of tongue generally called as social fear, social
phobia or fear of public speaking.
Common human related fears
- Fear
of Public Speaking termed as Glossophobia
- Fear of Bugs as Acarophobia
- Fear of Heights as Acrophobia
- Fear of Flying as Aerophobia
- Fear of Entering Open or Crowded Places as Agoraphobia
- Fear of Spiders as Arachnophobia
- Fear of Thunder and Lightning as Astraphobia
- Fear of Small Spaces as Claustrophobia
- Fear of Dogs as Cynophobia
- Fear of Vomiting as Emetophobia
- Fear of Germs as Mysophobia/Germaphobia
- Fear of needles as Trypanophobia
Symptoms of Glossophobia
- High (BP) Blood Pressure
- Trembling & Freezing
- High perspiration (sweating)
- Mouth Dryness
- Tightening of back muscles (Upper Portion)
- Panic Movements & Nausea
- Severe Anxiousness with the perception of public speaking
Speech
related symptoms
- Mouth Dryness
- Lower tone and pitch of voice
- Lack of energy and enthusiasm
- Severe tension leading to voice trembling
- Murmuring, shaking and voice modulations
- Hesitation in words like ‘eh’, ‘ah’, ‘um’, etc.
- Stammering
- Vocal stops
Causes of Glossophobia
Certain past traumas or terrifying situations
Fear of getting judged, insulted, criticised or rejection because
in past an individual may have encountered, and experienced stressful phases.
For example ineffective delivery of oral presentation or public speaking and
the negative associated experience
People with less education
get nervous with taking the stage
Aggregation of
genetic characteristics(fearful gene is activated on exposure to public) and
other environmental, biological, and psychological related aspects
No chance for advance
preparation and automatically it gives rise to fear of public speaking.
Treatment Options
1) An individual is trained with skills to learn, cope and handle
the situation which may cause the fear. Such therapy is termed as Cognitive
Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
2)
Anxiety management and relaxation techniques often help in
reduction
of fear building tendencies.
Medications
1)
Beta-blockers
cures high blood pressure and related heart disorders. They also aid
in controlling the physical symptoms of glossophobia, like shaking or trembling
2)
Antidepressants
treat depression, and also control social anxiety.
3)
If anxiety is intense, doctors prescribe benzodiazepines like Ativan or Xanax.
4)
Brain chemicals such as Serotonin regulate the mood level of a person.
Anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medicines aid in adjustment to the brain
chemicals.
Exposure therapy
These
therapies are seen
as most effective for the public fear and speaking. The therapist teaches
various relaxation techniques like muscle relaxation, mind visualization
exercises & meditation. An individual gradually develops builds up bearing
ability towards fear & anxiousness
Herbal remedies
Conitum napellus or Gelsemium is
recommended by homeopaths according to the history, symptoms and individual’s
nature and temper. Herbal remedies like Lemon balm, lavender and Passion Flower
soothe the nerves and make one person calm
Practical tips for overcoming glossophobia
- Identify the presentable material
- Practice hard and as often as possible
- Record your verbal message or the presentation
- Virtual mode usage
- Predetermine the list of possible questions from audience viewpoint
- Choose a substitute of memorizing speech by understanding topic and rehearsing it well
- Analyze audience from every aspect
- Gradual speaking
- Sip water whenever needed- you can carry water or related resources along at the time of presentation
- Don’t describe or feel your nervousness
- Get flexible or acquainted with the room/venue
- Ensure that enough practice for the presentation or speech is made
DO YOU KNOW?
Most of the eminent
personalities from the world have had a fear of public speaking
- Renée Zellweger,
- Nicole Kidman,
- Abraham Lincoln,
- Gandhi,
- Sigmund Freud
- Thomas Jefferson.
Conclusion
40%
of the audience have fears of public speaking. Do not panic & apologize for
being nervous rather do your best instead and accept the fact that stress is
normal and consider it to be on the positive side by being more alert and
enthusiastic. To leave a remark on the audience keep Smiling and maintain
intense eye contact with the audience. Be sure to gradually inhale and indulge
in deep breathing which may calm you down at the time of fear or stressful
situation
Therefore
there is an urgent need to understand the roots of this fear and strategize and
conquer it thereby making ourselves global competent.
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