Should i see a psychiatrist?

Question

i've been having these panic/anxiety attacks whenever i have to speak in public. whether it be making a speech in front of a class or just reading aloud in class. i never used to be like this. it all started in 7th grade when i had to take a speech class. i don't what happened but all of a sudden i began to get these attacks. nobody made fun of me or anything, the attacks just came on. i always used be very outgoing and outspoken and had no problem at all speaking in front of people. what happens is i begin reading something, then my heart starts pounding, my whole body starts shaking, then i start reading so fast that i stop breathing, then i feel like i'm gonna pass out(i almost did once.) one time in 11th grade my english teacher decided we would have to write up a resume and present a speech and powerpoint to the class, just from seeing the words "oral report", "presentation", and "speech" i started freaking out. then when we were going over what we were supposed to do for the project i began to have an attack. it was the same as if he had called on me to read aloud, my heart started pounding, my whole body was shaking, and i felt like i was gonna pass out. also when i have to read aloud in class when i start reading so fast that i can't breathe i do this coughing thing where i cough exactly three times(i don't know why i do it). and these attacks have been affecting my school work. that project for english class i never did, the only thing i did was write up a resume. i mean my grades aren't so bad i still get a's and b's but i used to get straight a's. the only thing i don't have a problem with is if i have to speak in front of small groups, about 8 people tops. also after i have to read, if the class takes notes, my friends have to write them down for me because when i'm finished reading my hands shake so bad that i can't even write my own name. i don't know what to do. i figure i'm going to talk with my mother and see what she says but i wanted to know if anybody else has advice or is having the same problem. i just wanna be my oldself again. i mean in 4th grade i had to make a speech about Muhammad Ali in front of a crowded gym(i'm talkin bleechers were full, almost no seats left and the gym was huge), and i had no problem with it at all. i used to be the type of person that was the class clown and was very charismatic with anything.

Answer 1

Friend, do not make this a federal case. Ok? Relax. What you should do is to realize that tons o people don't like public speaking or they can get up in front of folks but stink because they are bad at it.

If you have  to speak publicly then practice in front of the mirror and then as many times as possible in the public and gradually you'll get better.

Answer 2

I have an anxiety disorder, so I can only tell you about my experience with a therapist.  Panic attacks are not usually triggered by anything.  An anxiety disorder is usually manifested from birth and childhood, although not always.  My therapist didn't do anything, except recommend to my parents to gently introduce me to my stressors, which really didn't help.  I have learned to just ride out the attacks, although luckily they don't appear when i'm doing any public demonstrations.  It seems to me, from what I've read, you have a phobia, almost severe in your case.  They can develop at any time almost, for whatever reason.  The trembling and such is a result of the primitive "flight or fight" mentality.  You're body wants to run away.  Most therapists recommend you fight the phobia.  Acknowledge it, but conquer it.  The therapist can't make it go away, and probably, they'll recommend you practice with it more, in steps.  This is a good idea, though not guaranteed to work.  But still, I would recommend you see a therapist if you think it would help, and you can't help yourself and you want to change.  This might not be it at all, and only a professional can really diagnose you.  Oh, and just in my case, I was on drugs for a while.  Nothing worked like it was supposed to, it was expensive, and in my case, the attacks were bad, but rather infrequent and nothing I couldn't handle on my own after I got used to them.  The important thing to remember when you think you're actually having a panic attack is that A) You CAN'T die from a panic attack and B) You're always in control, and you just aren't losing control.  I've found keeping those things in mind helps it go faster, and even stopped it once or twice.  In my case it was just mastering my mind.  But I had therapy to help me realize and diagnose it properly.

Answer 3

it sucks dosent it.it feels as if thers no way out of it.u just want the class to end.i am the exact same as u,iv had this problem 4 four years.i havnt found a cure for it but breathin excercise do work.breath in through ur nose nd out through ur mouth while in class.it will calm u down.have a look at this website i dont no if its any good but u should hav a look.

http://www.changethatsrightnow.com/stage...