Public Speaking and Speech Anxiety: 5 Ways To Overcome Nervousness

 by Dr. Craig April, Director of The April Center For Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles
www.KickFear.com

For many, public speaking can be a nerve rattling proposition.  If you get nervous or experience anxiety when giving a speech or in any form of public speaking, you are not alone.  In fact, fear of public speaking is one of the most frequent anxiety issues around.

Why Is Speech Anxiety and Nervousness In Public Speaking So Common?

There are a variety of reasons, but one of the most reasonable explanations is that we are social beings and care about how others perceive us.  Part of this concern is healthy.  Unfortunately, for millions of people, the concern has reached an unhealthy level.  They worry too much about being evaluated and lend too much importance to public speaking performance.  This then leads to anxiety or even a phobia.

So, in order to assist those with speech and public speaking anxiety, here are:

5 Ways To Overcome Nervousness and Anxiety in Public Speaking:

1.)  Focus on what you can give to the audience, not on your performance.

When you focus on how you're presenting to the audience and what you are doing wrong, you're moving away from the reason you're speaking to the audience - To give them something.  Focusing on your performance creates anxiety.

2.)  Over prepare.

Unless it's an impromptu speech, prepare well so that you remove anxiety about forgetting the material.  Also, being prepared inspires confidence. 

3.)  Practice presenting in front of a pretend audience at home.

Practice presenting as if you are speaking to the most critical, hostile audience you can.  That way, when actually giving your speech, you'll be ready and aware that this real audience is friendlier and less difficult.

4.)  Maintain a realistic perspective.

People don't care as much about your performance as you think they do.  They just want the information.  And if you can give it to them with a smile and engaging explanations even better.

5.)  Find a public speaking role model and imitate them.

Role models are guides for behavior we wish to cultivate.  Search for a model at work, in the media or even in your social circle.  Ask yourself how and why this person appears so comfortable. How do they engage an audience?  How do they carry themselves?  Then act accordingly.

Of course, these tips are for more mild fears and anxiety symptoms in public speaking.  If you find that your speech and public speaking anxiety is severe,  seek treatment from a doctor specializing in anxiety. 

All the best,

DR. APRIL 
Director of The April Center For Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles

P. S.  Don't forget to sign up for my anxiety newsletter on my website's home page where you'll receive free anxiety tips!
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The Anxiety Cycle On A Bicycle Infographic - Does Your Phobia Fit Here?

by Dr. Craig April, Director of The April Center For Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles
www.KickFear.com

The anxiety cycle on a bicycle infographic was created to demonstrate the development of a fear, phobia, OCD obsession, social anxiety and/or anxiety disorder.  The image also applies to panic attacks or any internally focused fear too!

Does your anxiety issue reflect the same pattern?

Take a look by clicking the link below:

http://www.kickfear.com/anxiety-bicycle.html


All the best,

DR. APRIL
Director of The April Center For Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles
(Also known as "The Anxiety, OCD, Phobia and Panic Attack Doctor")

P. S.  Don't forget to sign up for my anxiety newsletter on my website's home page where you'll receive free anxiety tips!

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Your Anxiety Is Just The Messenger - Don't Shoot It!

by Dr. Craig April, Director of The April Center for Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles
www.KickFear.com




Your anxiety is delivering you a message, so listen up!

I don't mean that you should spend a lot of energy or time trying to discover where it's coming from, the origins and so forth. That is not going to fix it. Insight is not effective in reducing anxiety. You can be crystal clear on exactly where your anxiety is coming from and still be as anxious as ever. This is why insight oriented therapy for anxiety disorders is ineffective. For those of you reading my blog, you know that scientifically proven CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy) for anxiety is the key.

So what am I getting at?

HERE IS WHAT YOUR ANXIETY MAY BE TRYING TO TELL YOU:

1.) That you can learn a lot by facing this fear - lessons that can guide you throughout your life when fear arises.

2.) That your anxiety symptoms, when having panic attacks or approaching a phobia, are letting you know that something needs to change.

3.) That the more you run, the greater your anxiety becomes. Remember "Whatever you resist, persists".

SOME QUESTIONS

1.) What fear are you not facing?

2.) What are you avoiding and refusing to listen to?

3.) Are you trying to run from your particular fear or area of anxiety and get rid of it through avoidance (shooting it so to speak)?

You don't have to let anxiety disempower you! In fact, you can look at it as a messenger that can help you grow and become stronger while expanding your world.

Follow this link for more on scientifically proven anxiety treatment

All the best,

DR. APRIL

P.S. Don't forget to subscribe to my blog in the box below for more tips and info!
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Emetophobia (Fear of Vomiting) then Panic Attacks Quite Common?

by Dr. Craig April, Director of The April Center for Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles
www.KickFear.com




Emetophobia (fear of vomiting) is more common than you would think often causing panic attacks for those that suffer with this anxiety.

There is so much shame around most struggles with anxiety and yet, so many people are plagued. A fear of vomiting has a lot of embarrassment attached - fear of being embarrassed should one vomit and fear of being embarrassed by sharing a fear that others respond to with diminishment (ex. "what's the big deal if you throw up?") or criticism (ex."Why would you be afraid of such a thing?").

Emetophobia is a phobia that many people don't seek treatment for until they've exhausted attempts to label it a physical problem. However, it is nothing to feel shame over and there is help available.

Here is a list of common struggles and fears attached to emetophobia:

-Difficulty eating in restaurants for fear of being nauseous or vomiting
-Anxiety over having a full stomach
-Panic attacks when eating with others present
-Difficulty concentrating for fear of vomiting
-Often on guard for feelings of nausea
-Avoidance of social situations where food is a part of the event
-Avoidance of long car trips

The origins of emetophobia can be many, but it often begins after a bad experience vomiting long ago, which is why many sufferers have had this fear for years. Interestingly enough, many with this phobia haven't thrown up for longer then they can remember. Most emetophobics, as with other areas of anxiety, struggle with feeling out of control (obviously when vomiting your body is totally out of your control).

The proven treatment for this fear, as with all phobias, is CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy) with Exposure and Response Prevention.

If you struggle with Emetophobia, know there is help available. It happens to be a common phobia that I treat at my center regularly. You can get past this!

Follow this link for more on phobias and anxiety treatment

All the best,

DR. APRIL

P.S. Don't forget to subscribe to my blog in the box below for more tips and info!
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Fear Of Driving: A Common Phobia?

by Dr. Craig April, Director of The April Center for Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles
www.KickFear.com

Fear of driving is a more common phobia than some might think! Although it might be more prevalent in the big cities where there are a lot of highways and freeways (like my city Los Angeles), it can strike anyone from anywhere.

Here are some common ways in which a fear of driving develops:

- A panic attack that occurred while driving, then leads to a fear of having more panic attacks while driving, along with a quickly developing driving anxiety (this is called a panic-induced phobia)

- A traffic accident can lead to a driving phobia due to the nature of the trauma. A phobia can develop following a scary or threatening experience where one felt endangered.

- An experience in a car where one felt out of control or uncomfortable. Most who struggle with anxiety can have an underlying difficulty in dealing with uncertainty or lack of control.

So, if you have a fear of driving, know that you are not alone. And thankfully, it can be treated effectively with cognitive-behavioral therapy provided by an expert anxiety treatment therapist!

Stay tuned for my next post on symptoms that arise with a fear of driving.
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Red Carpet Phobia Strikes Famous Singer With Anxiety Over Fashion

by Dr. Craig April, Director of The April Center for Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles
www.KickFear.com

"Red Carpet" phobia plagues famous singer Norah Jones?

Apparently she has attended only one big celebratory event since her debut in 2002 due to a fear of being labeled a "fashion victim" by the press. It seems her underlying fear is one of being criticized and judged based on the clothing she chooses to wear. This is a common area of anxiety for those struggling with social phobia, but also can exist as a separate, distinct phobia.

Check out the short article here: http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/jones-trips-over-red-carpet-fashion_1123394

Clearly avoiding these events has not helped her overcome this "phobia". And this is not a surprise.

Avoidance is the hallmark of a phobia. The more one avoids that which causes anxiety, the greater the chance that a true diagnosable phobia will develop (to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, symptoms must significantly interfere with one's life).

Of course, it is our human inclination to run from fear. But fear is what must be faced to overcome a phobia.

I found it interesting that the article states that Norah Jones is desperate to overcome this, but she is quoted saying that "Maybe I'll get over it soon".

Unfortunately, a phobia doesn't go away on its own. In fact, it grows the more you avoid it. What you resist, persists. But . . .

There is hope for Norah and anyone who has a phobia.

The hope lies in seeking proven treatment for phobia and all other anxiety disorders. This proven treatment is called cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT, which teaches specific skills and techniques for reducing anxiety symptoms and fear.

Hopefully, Norah Jones won't continue to avoid her fear, which is clearly limiting her freedom. All it takes is a first step and then gradual work with the help of an expert anxiety treatment therapist.

Follow this link for more on phobia and anxiety

College Students Seeking Counseling for Anxiety Disorder,Panic Attacks and more

by Dr. Craig April, Director of The April Center for Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles

www.KickFear.com

Many college students need to be seeking counseling for anxiety disorder,panic attacks , phobia, etc.

Take a look at this article below on the prevalence of anxiety and depression amongst college students:

http://maplewood.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/college-corner-attending-to-mental-health/


College can be a fun, exciting time for many young adults.  However, it can also be a time of intense anxiety due to the demands of being newly independent, expectations and the perceived pressure around academic performance and tests.

A key theme underlying anxiety is struggle with uncertainty and lack of control.  Those who struggle with anxiety often try to obtain total certainty or control when it is impossible to do so.

For those struggling with anxiety disorders,panic attacks, phobia, etc., expert anxiety counseling is essential for learning how to handle uncertainty and work with life's unpredictable nature.

Follow this link for more on anxiety counseling and symptoms of panic attacks, OCD, phobias and more.

Phobia and Anxiety Treatment: Dr. April Radio Interview

Phobia and anxiety treatment was the focus of Dr. April's most recent radio interview.

Click this link to download the radio interview in full:

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/748321039/3fa6a040511e0c80968f64f38e318351

Dr. April was asked about phobias and anxiety as related to their origin, treatment done at The April Center For Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles, and the importance of facing what you fear.

Follow this link for more on anxiety and phobia treatment

Phobia: Some very harmful effects

A Phobia can have some very harmful effects - if the appropriate treatment isn't sought and then completed, that is.

Take a look at this article about a man with a common swallowing/choking phobia that is withering away (just copy and paste the link below into your browser):

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/health/860872/man-withering-away-with-swallowing-phobia

I found the article's statement that "Mr Buckingham's condition has baffled doctors, dieticians and psychologists while his wife Debbie has watched him wither away" fascinating.

Why baffling?

There is no mystery here!! Mr. Buckingham has a PHOBIA.

And a common one at that.

I treat swallowing/choking phobia frequently at The April Center for Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles.

This man's struggle describes a common phobia: A scary or uncomfortable experience with an object, situation or event perceived as dangerous followed by an individual developing an irrational fear and then engaging in avoidance to protect oneself. The avoidance then leads to more anxiety and the reinforcement of fear.

It is a diagnosable anxiety disorder when the fear significantly interferes with life.

The more he continues to avoid eating, the more afraid of swallowing/choking he will become.

This man needs Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention. His phobia, like all phobias is extremely treatable. It is done gradually with specific strategies and techniques to build confidence and move towards desensitization.

A phobia can have some very harmful effects if not treated in a timely and appropriate manner.

Follow this link for more on treatment for a phobia and anxiety

Anxiety: It's A Problem When?

Anxiety effects us all. In other words, anxiety is a normal part of life. Anxiety about career, family, the economy, a big exam, a date, etc. is part of being human.

But how do you know when anxiety is a problem?

Simple.

Anxiety is a problem when it interferes with your daily functioning.

Is anxiety inhibiting your life in any major way? Is it effecting your work, your family interactions, your level of freedom to do what you wish, your ability to focus, your happiness, your perspective, your confidence? Are your anxiety-related thoughts or behaviors time-consuming?

Although this requires evaluation, if anxiety is interfering with your life by inhibiting your daily functioning, you most likely have an anxiety disorder, such as Panic Disorder, OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), Phobia, Social Anxiety, Agoraphobia, etc..

When anxiety interferes with functioning, you most likely experience some degree of limited freedom. In other words, anxiety can shut down your life.

Follow this link for more on anxiety

Overcome Phobia with Motivation

To overcome a phobia you've got to be motivated. General motivation helps, but a specific goal-oriented motivation is even better.

Are you struggling with a phobia? If so, how is it disrupting your life? In what way has it interfered with your freedom? What would you do if you didn't suffer with this particular phobia?

The nature of a phobia is avoiding that which you fear. For some inspiration click on this link to read an article about a mother who was motivated to overcome her needle phobia in order to give blood:

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/4547670.Facing_up_to_my_fears/

Motivation is key in facing fear, but it can often be necessary to learn strategies to face your fear gradually and with growing confidence.

Follow this link to learn more about overcoming a phobia

Phobias Can Take Many Shapes

Phobias can take many shapes. This essentially means that fear and anxiety can attach themselves to any stimuli, so even if you think your fear has never been heard of - think again.

Here's a list of some rarely publicized phobias:

Coulrophobia = fear of clowns

Ophidiophobia = fear of snakes

Astraphobia = fear of thunder and lightning

Trypanophobia = fear of injections

Anthrophobia = fear of flowers

Atychiphobia = fear of failure

Barophobia = fear of gravity

Bibliophobia = fear of books

Ephebiphobia = fear of teenagers

Genuphobia = fear of knees

Octophobia = fear of the figure 8

Podophobia = fear of feet

. . . and there are so many more. So don't be ashamed over what you fear. Phobias can take many shapes based on conditioning and other factors. It's what you do about your fear that counts!

Follow this link for information on how to break free of phobias

Fear of Driving - Here, There and Everywhere

Fear of driving is a consistently seen phobia.  But is it actually a fear of driving?  For some it is.  But there is often more to it than just that . . .

Fear of driving is often a fear of losing control, sometimes a fear of passing out and then getting hurt or hurting someone else, and sometimes . . . 

Fear of driving is not actually a fear of driving, but of being trapped in traffic, or at a light or on a bridge, with the feeling of not being able to escape.  

This driving phobia often starts with a panic attack, which subsequently leads to more panic.  The first panic attack may have occurred in a car or a setting where one felt trapped.  Once panic has been experienced, it generally leads to more panic based on avoidance around facing this anxiety provoking setting.  Hence, when one approaches this fear, they experience a huge rush of anxiety.

For those of you with fear of driving, just know that it is common and can be treated effectively.

If you do what is necessary to get past this phobia, you could be driving freely and enjoyably in a short while.

Follow this link for more on how to reduce phobias