Ahh! what to do about EXTREME nervousness with public speaking??!
Question:
Ahh! what to do about EXTREME nervousness with public speaking??
I am in college, and recently I have gotten worse than ever with my nervousness! I dont know whats going on, or how to control it!!? I have to do a presentation and I know that Im going to be a nervous wreck, I shake uncontrollably, reeeally bad, and sweat and cant breath, and litterally feel like im going to have a nervous breakdown. In school growing up I've always felt nervous about presenting and stuff, but recently it's got so much worse. Anyways what do I do?? Im seriously thinking about dropping the class (even though it ends in 3 weeks) just because thats how bad i dont want to do this! I dont know how to control it, i dont want to make a fool out of myself in front of the class looking like a nervous wreck!
Ive also noticed i get really bad panic attacks sometimes for no reason or for a small thing, like if I go to the store or something like that. Ive been like this up until about a year ago!
6 days ago
this really is starting to hurt my self esteem, not having faith in myself to handle simple life situations like this. Is there medication that can help this, i go to the doctor? I need to do something!
Answers:
Also with 20 years in mental health as a psychotherapist, I disagree with the answerer who suggested medication is inappropriate. If you have an anxiety disorder, or simply a common fear of public speaking, you have choices available and you have a right to know what they are. Inderal, a beta blocker, is often given as a one time dose just before events that require public performance and can be very effective in controlling the anxiety symptoms for a short period to help you get through it. If you have more pervasive anxiety symptoms that occur outside this particular situation, I would suggest that you see a therapist for an evaluation and to discuss the treatment options available which include therapy, medication or a combination of the two. Often times my clients try therapy first and for many that is enough. Others benefit more from therapy in conjunction with meds and there is no right answer for everyone. There is only the answer that best fits for you in reducing your anxiety.
Good Luck!