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GLOSSOPHOBIA - FEAR OF
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Many people have a fear of public speaking. Most adjust. They apply extra
deodorant, take deep breaths and get through their presentations just fine.
For some, however, the fear feeds itself.
They blush, tremble, sweat profusely, stammer and stutter, perhaps even lose
the ability to speak. They have a
social phobia about public speaking, and
they're far from alone.
Research
conducted in America shows some interesting statistics; The National
Institute of Mental Health estimates at least 5.3 million Americans (almost
4 percent) suffer from a social phobia, an overwhelming anxiety and
self-consciousness in social settings. The Surgeon General's Report on
Mental Health issued at the end of 1999 puts the number of people affected
by social phobias as high as 7 percent.
One in four say they've experienced intense
fear and trembling in social situations. Many more say they've felt
nervousness, blushing, a racing heart or dry mouth and throat, some of the
symptoms of social phobia.
Social
Phobias
Social phobias are thought to be almost twice as prevalent in women as in
men, though a higher portion of men seek help, according to the National
Mental Health Association. The disorder rarely develops after age 25.
Some people have "generalized social phobia"
in which they fear any situation where they may be under the scrutiny of
others. Others have a fear of only certain social situations, such as public
speaking, and therefore have "non-generalized social phobia."
Up to half of
social phobics may also suffer from a simultaneous problems such as panic
disorder, depression or substance abuse. Some people
with social phobia become so anxious they develop panic disorder.
Panic
Disorder
Panic disorder is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of
intense fear (panic attacks) which are often accompanied by chest pain,
heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness or abdominal distress.
Panic attacks can accompany social phobia,
generalized anxiety disorder or major depression. However, they sometimes
affect otherwise healthy individuals.
It is not unusual for a person with panic
disorder to develop phobias about certain places or situations where panic
attacks have occurred, such as in supermarkets or other everyday situations.
As the frequency of panic attacks increases, the person often begins to
avoid situations where they fear another attack may occur or where help
would not be immediately available. This avoidance may eventually develop
into agoraphobia, an inability to go beyond known and safe surroundings
because of intense fear and anxiety.
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Telephone: |
0800 107 2242 (24hr
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Mobile: |
07876 686 400
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Email: |
charles@hypnosisforyou.co.uk |
Please note:
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already be in consultation with a client. Please leave your
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All appointments are made
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Fees may be subject to review from
time to time. Concessions are occasionally available dependent
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