Public Speaking=Anxiety

I have to tell you, you are great!! thank you very much for this video and if I was you, you have nothing to worry about. Don't carry what happened to, just use it as to enforce you to be stronger

I think it's the fear of being judged by the people your speaking to, and the fact that everyone's eyes are on you makes it totally unbearable.

I'm supposed to do a presentation infront of the class tomorrow on anything I like, but today i've been so stressed out and worried about doing it infront of the whole class that i haven't been able to stop crying. I've never liked doing speeches, but this time i can't just read whats on my paper, i have to do a proper presentation thats interactive. I honestly don't think I can do it, even though its for my GCSE.

public speaking, presentation, oral presentation = scary words to me

i hate public speaking and this year in school were mostly focusing on doing speeches and presentations!! ((

Was your childhood stressful or dramatic???

everything you said is exactly what i went through and still go through.

Best advice to deal with this is to prepare for the speech before hand. Also, speak about something you are like. Be enthusiastic and try to have a connection with the audience. Remember, no one knows what you are going to talk about or if you messed up so just chill. I once sucked ass at public speaking and now I am a lot better. I still get nervous but I have learned to convert that nervousness into positive energy.

Wow this is so similar to how I felt when I was in school except I used to give the best, most clever excuses I don't think anyone ever suspected how terrified I was of speaking in front of people. Now I'm older, I've gotten better because I make myself do it more but I'm still not "normal" yet

I was told by a psychiatrist that public speaking is the number 1 phobia. I have seen on television persons having panic attacks and or anxiety attacks while trying to give speeches. Horrible. Thanks for the post. I will not give my own status for privacy. However, one may guess what it is…

@videomatt84 I seriously dont know what to do, it makes everyday life so hard! Any help?

me too have d same prblm…. still struggling… dnt knw wat to do…

@AccidentlyDurred exact same thing happens to me!! little things bring it on like talking to the managing director at work or speaking to ppl | dont know on the phone.

I go through some of the same things as you. I skip lunch to go sit in the bathroom or go to the library. I had to do a presentation today and i did terrible. People knew i did terrible and even told me i did bad. To me I felt happy that i actually got through it while people see how bad i did.

one of the best videos on youtube. i feel like it's me talking. i've had these exact experiences.

I know that feel, bro. Before presentations I literally want to die. It's ridiculous because I'm a really tall and tough looking bloke.

Surprisingly public speaking is more easy for me than participating in a group discussion.

I understand you.

Schools need to provide an opportunity for students with anxiety to practice before getting up in front of the class.

We all think we're alone, but i've become more and more aware of social anxiety in other people and i really feel their pain while i watch them shake theirselves to pieces during presentations. once when i had to read a page out of a book in class, completely unprepared, and i essentially passed out while i was reading. my vision went black, it was horrible. seriously traumatic. i hate the complete irrationality of it. it makes me so angry.

I've got two daughters that aren't even teenagers yet. I find myself dreading the wedding speech I have to make already. That's at least 10 years away. Please someone tell me a success story. Something I can try? I'm sick of living this way. Thank you for sharing your story Amanda.

Great video… I've pretended to be sick, dropped out of classes, found a way to have the lights dimmed, refused to do my salutatorian address at graduation, gotten half drunk to make it through speeches for grades in college, etc. It's hell! The first day in a class or training you have to go around the room and introduce yourself. That alone is very uncomfortable. Heart racing, words won't come out, feel like you're going to pass out. It started in 6th grade for me too.

Everything she says, I feel the EXACT SAME WAY! IT is as if she is speaking for me. Just the thought of Public Speaking, or even talking in front of 5 people, (being put on the spot) my heart starts to race, i start to shake, get light headed, and feel short of breath. I have no idea why this happens to me, but it affects everyday life for me… If anyone can help, point in the direction to an article or anything, PLEASE DO! I will appreciate it SOOOO MUCH!

I forgot to say, I am so scared of public speaking I took the online class in college for it. Thankfully my professors in college understand, but it definitely was not like that in high school! I swear to god u r the exact same person as me. Everything u said I was like yep me too!:)

it all comes down to not understanding. People think they understand but they don't! That is what pisses me off! Being nervous is not the same thing as social anxiety! I know my voice gets really shaky and my heart feels like it is pumping out of my chest!

Wow, can't believe it's been just over a year since I did this interview for The SAI Institute here in Phoenix.
I hope watching them has given you hope and encouraged you to learn how to stop those ANTS…. automatic negative thoughts.
I have so much more to share… and am thinking of doing my own video to talk more about overcoming SA.
I know all of us that have lived with social anxiety have a bond…no matter what age, race or religion, we can relate to each other.

i will check that out…i blush but i have brown skin so i don't get red, i can hide it better but i still blush. visit my blog, google: diary of a shy black woman

Yeah,its a bit of a problem blushing. I jut started a group on facebook about blushing and its called "banish the Blush"
Look it up and join in. Leave a comment if you have time.

Cheers

How did you function before they told you what they think you have?

I understand what you're going through.

Its hard to befriend others when its so difficult to open up and feel comfortable.

i'm 17, same here buddy. same here. :/

I'm 20 and also have it. Had it since about 16 or 17 aswel. I found drinking to be a good short term solution but now that I realised I have to stop drinking I have no idea how I'm going to live a normal life or get through it. It wouldn't be possible even WITH drinking. (Tip: Never drink to overcome anxiety, you just get yourself into more trouble)

I know how this woman feel to well. I'm 16 and I have this pretty bad. I don't know how I'm gonna get through the next 60 years of life.

mine is so bad it makes me want to kill myself. im 27 i never had a girlfriend either and have no prospects of ever having one. when i see young people having fun it makes me sick in the heart.

thank you so much for this vid.

I'm 40 something (ouch) and if I had all the technology we have now when I was growing up, things would of been easier. Social anxiety was unheard of, not to mention we did not have personal computers,internet, cell phones etc…
Your still so young and their are manny tools to help you. Hopefully the videos from SAI can help you in one way or another.

Your video, and these comments really hit home with me. I'm 16 and SA is only one of the things I'm going through but I feel like I could never have a boyfriend or a normal teenage expierience. Does anyone know if there is somewhere where people with SA can talk to eachother?

dude i know how you feel

I'm the same. I always had one or two friends at school. But eventually lost them too. I'm almost 32 now, I don't have any friends, and never had a girlfriend.