public speaking phobia and racing heart rate

[wi2486]

Hello all,
I'm in college and am taking a public speaking course. I have a phobia of talking in front of the class and my heart beat races resulting in labored breathing as I speak. Is there any advice on what to do to not be nervous? I am Acing the class right now and feeling confident but need advice of lowering my blood pressure when I'm about to give a speech. Thank you!

 

[onetwothreefour]

If you wanna try drugs, Inderal is helpful for performances—it does not relax you, but it slows your pulse and blood pressure—it will make your body feel physically flat, but your mind should theoretically be unaffected. Benzodiazepines are more relaxing and run the risk of making you tired. They affect you mentally, which in turns slows you down physically. However, they are better taken before anxiety rather than during it. I have panic attacks benzos couldn't touch, and I needed Inderal to slow me down.

However, if you are not already a drug user, I would not recommend drugs. And if you do take a benzo, don't keep taking it. Believe me.

As someone who has taken a public speaking class, I found students get a lot of support from the class and professor, especially when they admit to their fear of public speaking. In my class it was a given that everyone (except for me, seemingly) was terrified. If you know that you can finish even showing that you are anxious, it will help. Know that you always have an exit strategy. I used to get anxious in the backs of grocery stores because I felt my legs turn to jelly and like there was no escape. At some point I had a panic attack in a store, and I just let myself sit on the floor. And that was a revelation. You too could finish your speech sitting on the floor with a sweater over your face rocking back and forth, and no one would really mind.

You will physically get up, move in front of people, and you will talk. And if you do any of those things poorly, well that's why it's a public speaking class, for you to get used to doing it. And that was the last thing I was going to suggest: practice. Do the speech a lot. Get comfortable with it. Find its familiar grooves. And try speaking in front of people before the presentation you are worried about.

And I would try skipping the drugs if you can. If you're already on something, maybe you could time your dosage so that it's kicking in well before the presentation. I won't wish you good luck because you don't need it. You're going to give a speech! It's not a big deal!

 

[kallipolis]

Hello all,
I'm in college and am taking a public speaking course. I have a phobia of talking in front of the class and my heart beat races resulting in labored breathing as I speak. Is there any advice on what to do to not be nervous? I am Acing the class right now and feeling confident but need advice of lowering my blood pressure when I'm about to give a speech. Thank you!

Lowering your blood pressure is not going to eradicate your anxiety syndrome.

Avoid drinking alcohol beverages, coffee and any other stimulant for at least 48 hours prior your presentation. Ensure that you benefit from a full night's sleep before your presentation.

Avoid sugar, sugar filled drinks and foods for 24 hours prior to the presentation.

Drinking a mug of camomile tea about one hour prior to your presentation will assist in relaxing you.

A clove of fresh garlic eaten with a little food some one hour prior to your presentation will contribute to lowering your blood pressure, and calming your nerves. There are odourless garlic capsules available (try, Kwai from your pharmacy) that are less effective, but also work reasonably well.

Relaxing alone, with low volume classical music playing in the background, immediately prior to your presentation will contribute to a better sense of composure that will combat any feeling of anxiety.

Avoid pharmaceutical drugs to combat your anxiety syndrome.

Confidence building is a process that will in due time reward you with a sense of awareness that you can face an audience without fear. Be patient with your determination to transcend your fears of the unknown.

Good luck with your next presentation.

 

[Deandbn]

I would say that you should be upfront and tell the audience how nervous etc you are before you start your speech. I think they are aware of how you feel but tell them anyway. They will then be sympathetic and you will have nothing to hide, and i am sure it will go well from then on. If you do have a problem just stop and relax for a minute then carry on.

 

[onetwothreefour]

I would say that you should be upfront and tell the audience how nervous etc you are before you start your speech. I think they are aware of how you feel but tell them anyway. They will then be sympathetic and you will have nothing to hide, and i am sure it will go well from then on. If you do have a problem just stop and relax for a minute then carry on.

I second that. I have tourette's and anxiety disorder, and telling people this always helps me and the class. That way if I ever make tic-ing sounds I know people know what it is, and I don't worry they don't know what's going on. Public speaking classes are especially sympathetic in my experience, especially if you tell them you have anxiety issues.

 

[hothole724]

I took a public speaking class in college also and honestly, just realize that your class is probably not even paying attention. As lame as that is, it's kind of the truth - no one REALLY listens to you unless you are saying something important - or saying something not really important with some sort of enthusiasm that draws in the crowd.

Here's my advice, just relax, realize that your audience doesn't want you to mess up, and are probably a bunch of really cool people that are taking public speaking for fun. Have fun with it and write some really cool speeches - it's a lot easier to talk about something your passionate about!

 

[Seasoned]

^I agree. Find topics you know a lot about. Do a speech on the topic of public speaking. Perhaps you could bring in a video of yourself giving a portion of that same speech delivered with no audience and then address the obvious differences. Check to see if there's a branch of Toastmasters in your community. Good luck.

 

[wi2486]

Thank you everyone for the helpful advice I really appreciate your input. Today went great. I got a really good nights rest before my 9 am speech. I'm lucky that eveyone is my class are nice and make me feel confortable. U GUYS ROCK!!!! EVERYONE OF U!