I hate speaking in front of people i dont really know ?

Question

in school usually when im meeting new people or something, i get so nervous, and i can never like tell a long story, i always mess up my words or something. i have gotten SO nervous, and fear public speaking soo much now , even just talking to 1 new person or even in front of the whole class.. i used to be the opposite. i dont know what happend to me, i want to overcome my fear! help

also theres a class im taking that involves a lot of talking in class and presenting, and im soooo scared .. i love the class, but almost dropped out for this very fact.

Answer 1

I'm guessing when you talk, you try and rush through it.  And if you have to give presentations in this class, it is BEST to practice at home first.  Know the material before you get to class and practice talking about it out loud at home before you go to class.  It will make it easier I promise.

Don't rush when you speak, take your time.  That is a mistake I often make.  I have this same issue.  You will be fine.  Don't take forever to tell a story.  People appreciate when you take your time when you speak, but also when you get to the point.

No worries.  Good luck!

Answer 2

Me too.  Practice is the best thing for it.  Be brave!

Answer 3

it's called a social phobia and lots of ppl unfortunately have it and it can be extremely hard to deal with and it usually doesnt go away with time.--enrolling in a group therapy class outside of school would be helpful [that way you would be aroung ppl just like you] or if you can bring yourself to do it-enroll in a class at school where you have to speak in front of the class---i think that would really help you but it would be tough the first 3 or 4 times---don't be embarassed if you make a mistake--just keep on going--can happen to anyone

Answer 4

I know this exact feeling. Interestingly enough, I was a psych. major in college and in one of my classes we learned that public speaking is the number one phobia- it even comes way before the fear of dying. So I just wanted to point out how many other people have this common fear.

Secondly, I think some actual psychological principals may help you. I agree with the others that you should practice before you give a presentation. Envisioning helps. I also think that class will help you in the long run, I had a speech class that helped me get over it because every class I had to do a two minute speech- that helped. That is called "flooding" which is a psychology term used for treating phobias, by exposing that person to the most intense of these situations- with its point being to show that nothing truly bad comes of this at all!

You say you used to be different. Same thing with me- as a young child i was so outgoing and did not care. Then as I grew older I got teased for having a lazy eye- and as a result i sort of because self conscious about talking to people not just presentations, but I went from having like 15 friends to 5 because i got so shy. But even after I had surgery to correct it, I went to high school and part of college being shy initially and hating public speaking. Ironically I won best eyes in high school! But still, I know how frustrating it can be.

I still am shy when I first get to know people. I am not sure if it is a problem but I have at times just tried to pretend i was someone else, or envision myself talking to others.

I guess this may not help much, but at some point I just grew up and thought "who gives a ****?" I mean really...then with that attitude I sort of sounded more casual, and by pretending i didn't care about it i actually started to not care about it.

Lastly a professor of mine once told me a story about a patient of his who sweated to death every time he spoke in public. So my teacher told him to get up in front of the room, and start thinking thoughts like "sweat hard, sweat your hardest, get super sweaty,!" Basically a mantra with whatever his fear ...and guess what? He got up did his speech and found that when he told his body to sweat, he psyched himself out and as a result he did not sweat. Kind of cool. I use this technique when I feel like I am going to faint in the hospital. Its sort of a verbal form of "Flooding." Anyways hope this helps, perhaps you may grow out of it like a lot of people do!  

Answer 5

First of all, it's good that you stuck through the class. The fear will go away, I promise. Being confident starts with knowing your information. Have a clear view of what you want to say. When called upon, think of yourself as imparting information the individual needs or wants to hear. When speaking in front of a group, pick two or three individuals who appear to have an interest in what you're saying and establish eye contact with them. Don't forget to smile. And incorporating a joke into what you're saying helps break the ice, relaxes everyone (including yourself).

Hope this was helpful.

Answer 6

just take a deep breath

and try to focus on one part of the room or something

it always helps!

Answer 7

ok this is what i do

i practices over and over again of what i am talking then when i get up in front of people i look at them but just don't take any notice like they aren't there