What Are the Causes of Fear of Public Speaking?
By: LuAnn Schindler There are several causes of a fear of public speaking. Speaking in front of a group of people can cause you to develop a case of the jitters. Anxiety, in some form, occurs when you present an idea to a group of people. But you don’t need to develop a fear of public speaking and be known as a glossophobe. Instead, confront your fears and squelch the inner voice that tells you to be afraid. Once those fears disappear, giving a presentation will be easy. In fact, the anxiety you experience helps you maintain focus. Deer in the Headlight Syndrome Have you come upon a deer in the middle of the road while you are driving? The deer’s eyes flash that “uh-oh” sign before the animal either flees into a nearby field or freezes in the road. Public speaking can elicit the same type of fight or flight response. This biological response results from an overwhelming feeling of stress. It’s perfectly normal to feel a jolt of stress before giving a presentation, but those who suffer
