Glossophobia is Real

GLOSSOPHOBIA IS REAL

?He walked up three steps to and stepped onto the stage and with each step, he began to physically shake. His palms were sweating, and his skin was becoming red as though he walked through fire. Up the stairs and barely making it across the stage to meet center stage with what could have been confidence and excitement, he began shaking even more.

His brain was acting as it should, as mindfully he put himself into fight or flight mode due to the extreme fear he was feeling.

Now his heart was pounding, and he could almost hear each beat as he felt his knees beginning to buckle underneath him. Now he’s gasping for air as though someone or something was obstructing his airway. One thing leads to another, and his body believed he was in danger of dying.

He tried desperately to look out over the audience when he began feeling nauseated. His vision became blurry and within seconds he passed out falling to the floor.

Did you know that statistics in 2022 are 71-77 percent of the population are more afraid of public speaking than they are of death? In this case above, the speaker suffers from a phobia of speaking called, Glossophobia. It’s an extreme fear of speaking beyond nerves and bit of anxiety.

Fear this deep doesn't just affect speakers, it affects CEO's, Pastors, teachers, parents-to-kids conversations, podcast guests, online/offline presenters, actors, singers, and so many more.

However, it’s real and some of the symptoms are:

• Increased blood pressure.
• Increased perspiration.
• Dry mouth.
• A stiffening of the upper back muscles.
• Nausea and a feeling of panic when faced with having to speak in public.
• Intense anxiety at the thought of speaking in front of a group.
• Body shakes
• Falling over
• rapid heartbeat
• trembling
• sweating
• nausea or vomiting
• shortness of breath or hyperventilating
• dizziness
• muscle tension
• urge to get away
• extreme anxiety

One in ten people suffer from Glossophobia, and it’s treatable so take heart. It is a social anxiety disorder, yet not a mental illness.

Why am I even mentioning this? There is so much talent out there and the market for podcasters, speakers, trainers, presenters, TV personalities and more, is a big playground with numerous benefits both for personal achievement and revenue.

Your story or message is important and there are people who may live a better life for hearing it. In the alternative, you may be fearful, yet have the desire to have a podcast, be a guest on a podcast, speak at a function, become a paid speaker, or you may want to give a loving toast at your daughter’s wedding.

While Glossophobia isn’t a specific phobia such as fear of heights, it can have serious to fatal outcomes.

In an article written by Eric Patterson the signs that Glossophobia has created more damage include are as follows:

• Low self-esteem
• Issues being assertive and clear in communication
• Pessimism
• Being overly sensitive to criticism
• Lacking social skills
• Social isolation and potentially developing?agoraphobia
• Poor achievement at work and school
• Addiction and substance use
• Suicidal ideation or attempts

My intention in writing and sharing this article with you became prevalent to me when I saw someone struggling while his peers were teasing and verbally egging him on to get up on a stage. Today when visibility is the end all be all, there are many people who simply aren’t equipped to pop into the limelight in any sense of the word.

Should you feel this extreme fear of speaking in front of people, see a professional. This isn’t contained to speakers. It’s for anyone who simply fears speaking more than death and can experience the negative side effects listed above.

I was inspired to share this with you also, after interviewing someone today, realizing once again the casual, yet professional way we moved right along. Everyone deserves to have that freedom to express themselves.

Our job is to grow as humans and to hinder expression is to halt creation. If you have a friend, or if you want to face Glossophobia, it can be treated with much success, with cognitive behavioral therapy, meditations, exposure therapy, and more.

The cause of Glossophobia may be different for the individual yet certain family behavior, brain physiology, and stress regulation can all play a role.

It’s enough that the world wants to keep us silent but when one in four people is afraid to speak up, we lose all the way around.

A CEO who clams up when at the head of the boardroom table may not be there for long or relying on others to do what needs to be done could prove dangerous on a number of levels, let alone financially, and depleting self-esteem.

There are many aspects of the voice and the opportunity to use it is a gift. However, if you find yourself in this situation, please don’t quit on yourself. See a professional and know that you are not alone.

We were meant to do and be our best and holding back due to such fear starts with your mindset. Speaking isn’t just talking about something. It’s your soul reaching out to the world.

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Madeline Faiella, NLP, SLC, Madeline Faiella, LLC

https://www.mfspeaks.com

[email protected]

Madeline has 23 years of experience on stages worldwide and has an amazing intuitive nature for getting people out of themselves. She is a certified speaker, neuro-linguistic practitioner, strategic life coach, soft marketer, international author, licensed artist, and an amazing coach for people who want more confidence in their life and business. She is the host of Onstage Online? and Monday Morning Kickoff. ?Impact, influence, and mental strength.

Madeline has helped thousands of people over the years to get outstanding results for a better life and business experience by listening to hear and looking to see. No B.S., she remains compassionate, kind, and hilarious. Humor is second nature to her, yet she doesn’t miss a beat.