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The fear of public speaking is much more common than full-on social phobia. Many people who can interact very easily one-on-one are still afraid of speaking to a group.
Fear of public speaking is an increasing problem in today’s world. Group presentations are now a normal part of education in schools, colleges and universities. In the workplace there are often staff meetings. Giving presentations and talks is especially common at higher levels in an organisation. So this fear puts many people off applying for promotion.
For more about how hypnotherapy can help to overcome phobias, click HERE.
Or for more about how I work, click HERE.
For more about the experience of hypnosis, click HERE.
Cost of therapy for fear of public speaking
Therapy sessions are £60 per session, which is about the average going rate in this area. How many sessions you need varies from person to person, as no two people are the same. However in my experience it’s normally between three and eight sessions. We will be aiming for a permanent change in this time. This is not like seeing a hairdresser where you keep on going back on a regular basis. Once you get over a phobia there is normally no reason why you would get it back.
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Now read on for more information on this topic.
I’ve written HERE about Social Phobia, and most of that applies also to the fear of public speaking. However in the public speaking situation there are some additional factors.
Why public speaking is different to normal conversation.
For instance, in a large audience there will generally be some people who don’t seem to be listening, others who appear expressionless, others may look puzzled or amused. The anxious person’s imagination goes into overdrive when they notice these people. You may assume that the person who isn’t listening is bored or exasperated by your presentation. Or you could think that the expressionless person is judging you coldly and severely. You might fear that the puzzled-looking person thinks you’re talking nonsense, or that the smiling person thinks you’re ridiculous.
Presentations often involve pointing at a whiteboard or screen, which draws attention to your hand if it is shaking due to anxiety.
There is also the effect of breathing. Anxious people tend to speak faster, and therefore breathe faster and less deeply, using only the upper part of the lungs instead of the whole lungs. They can feel light-headed and unwell, like the start of a panic attack.
Even if you’re fairly good at public speaking it’s best to prepare yourself and rehearse your speech. This is because it’s difficult to estimate how much time is passing, so you need to ensure that your speech can fit easily into the time allotted without needing to talk faster than what feels comfortable for you.
Actually many people who talk or sing in public for a living have experienced fear of public speaking or stage fright, also called performance stress, as discussed in this article. Sad to say, many of them have suffered unnecessarily without getting any help. Others have resorted to relying on harmful substances, with disastrous consequences.
You can read more background information HERE about how phobias develop.
And see HERE for more about how therapy for phobias works.
