Achi news desk-
public speaking Just thinking about it can give us chills. Whether it’s addressing a large audience, presenting in a boardroom, or even speaking during a team meeting, the fear of public speaking, known as ‘glossophobia’, affects millions of people around the world. But what exactly is ‘glossophobia’, and why does it hold us so strongly?
Glossophobia is a very overwhelming and irrational fear of speaking in front of others. It falls under the umbrella of social phobias, which include anxieties related to social situations or the fear of being watched or judged by others. Imagine yourself standing on a stage, your heart is pounding, your palms are sweating, and the words are escaping you like elusive butterflies. For those with glossophobia, this scenario is not just a passing annoyance; It’s paralyzing horror. When faced with public speaking, our brain’s amygdala, the emotional center, goes into overdrive. It perceives the situation as a threat, causing the famous “fight or flight” response. Blood flows to our organs, preparing us to flee or face danger (which in this case is a crowd).
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Glossophobia isn’t just about speaking – it’s about judging. We fear being labeled as incompetent, boring or forgettable. Our inner critic magnifies every stumble, turning easy slips into monumental disasters. Ironically, the more we strive for perfection, the more anxious we become. We train endlessly, looking for a flawless delivery. But perfection is elusive, and the fear of failure haunts us.
Glossophobia creates a vicious circle. We avoid speaking opportunities, which leads to less practice. Lack of practice creates anxiety, which makes future speeches more daunting.
Glossophobia often stems from our evolutionary past. Our ancestors relied on social connections for survival, and ostracism from the group could be a danger. The fear of public speaking may be a remnant of this primal instinct—a fear of being judged or rejected by our peers.
Statistics reveal that glossophobia is more common than we think. Experts estimate that up to 77% of the population experiences some level of anxiety regarding public speaking. So, if you’ve ever felt your stomach clench before a presentation or stumbled over your words during a speech, you’re not alone.
The symptoms of glossophobia can be both physical and psychological. Here are some telltale signs:
- Sweating: beads of sweat form on the forehead, back and palms.
- Increased heart rate: Your heart races like it’s competing in a sprint.
- Dry mouth: Your tongue feels like sandpaper, making speaking a challenge.
- Difficulty breathing: the air seems thin, and each breath becomes a conscious effort.
- Nausea: Your stomach clenches, threatening to betray your composure.
- Headache: pressure increases, throbbing in your temples.
- Muscle tension: Your body tenses up, ready to run.
- Urge to pee: Even your bladder joins the anxiety party.
Glossophobia is a subgroup of social phobia, but it has unique characteristics. Unlike broader social phobia, where people fear various social situations, glossophobia is specifically aimed at public speaking. Oddly enough, many ‘glossophobes’ can dance or sing on stage without hesitation – provided they don’t have to speak. However, stage fright remains a common experience for them. Glossophobes suffer from the spotlight effect. They believe that all eyes are on them, analyzing every word and gesture. In reality, most people are too busy worrying about their own performance to examine others.
Glossophobia can hinder career growth, strain relationships and limit personal development. After all, most professions involve some level of public speaking, from meetings to client presentations. If the glossophobia is severe, it can lead to severe consequences such as job loss.
Overcome glossophobia:
- Acknowledge your fear. It’s okay to be nervous. Even experienced speakers experience jitter. Acceptance reduces stress.
- Know your material. Research, organize and rehearse. Familiarity breeds confidence.
- Mentally practice your speech. Imagine yourself speaking confidently. Visualization rewires your brain.
- Practice deep diaphragmatic breathing. It calms nerves and oxygenates your brain.
- Gradually expose yourself to speaking situations. Start with small groups. Build resilience.
- Consider joining a public speaking club like Toastmasters. Surround yourself with supportive peers.
Glossophobia should not hold us hostage. With practice, persistence and a little courage, we can turn our fear into confidence. So the next time you step on that stand, smile, connect with the crowd by looking around, take a deep breath and hug the butterflies – they might just carry you to new heights.
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References: Verywell Mind, Harappa Education, Verywell Health.
(The author Leadership coach and happiness coach, founder and CEO of #IAmTheBest, who is passionate about uncovering the mysteries of human behavior and sharing insights that empower others.)
