Performance Anxiety

I want to first introduce my situation: 7 years ago when i began college, I was extremely excited about it. I was really looking forward to it all. I had just gotten out of the army and was beginning a new life for myself. First day of class when the teacher announced we would be introducing ourselves in class - BOOM ! there it was, my first panic attack. . my heart was racing a million miles a second. my palms were sweaty, everything. . From then on everytime i have to introduce myself in front of "New" people i flake out, crackly voice extreme fast heart rate. its embarrassing. . Even when there are times when i have to read from a book or a up on the power point board, and i know its coming i get a panic attack. . HOWEVER - if i am fortunate enough to be called to read first before i have time to react I do fine. . my mind doesn't have time to figure it out and i do a great job. I guess the panic doesn't have time to manifest itself. In addition i'm in Toastmasters - a speaking club. . this has helped my speeches. and if i rehearse them i don't have any problems. . however. . the panic attacks are locked in to introductions and "readings" . It is in those intial moments of talking when it is the worst. . when i get a few extra moments it subsides. but for introductions you only have a few brief moments. I need help overcoming this . .

Hi,
I too joined Toastmasters 3yrs ago and 28 speeches later guess what I still on occassion feel panic when I have to introduce myself. Originally I was mortified even just going to a meeting, my first speech, my whole body shook.
I suggest you accept that you get very nervous and that is just how it is and don't worry about it. When you accept this is how your body functions in these situations you take the fear out of it. With the fear out of it the equation your body will soon not react so intensely. The more you react to what you are feeling the more power you are giving it.
Also take a long slow breath ot two before you speak.
Hope this helps
Lisa

:shock: I am new to this site and am amazed how much I have in common with many people that post here. I have the same problem as guest###. I get very nervious when I am called on to speak, and it brings on panic. I used to go to a church that uses the people in the church for talks and things like that . I can't go now, I have had several jobs where I could of moved up the latter of succuss, and self distructed because of my panic. I work for myself now in the Air Conditioning and heating field. I had a panic attack when I was installing a therostat, now I can not do that, can you imagine a AC guy that can't install a T stat?. In the past my panic was triggered by a stressfull event like teaching in front of others or speaking or just plan having the spot lite on me, now I have gotten a few attics just getting my hair cut. I already know I am in no danger or anything like that I am sure I will never drop dead from one of these things. My fears seems to be the embarrassment of all the hand shaking and nervious things you do in front of others. I don't want to self destruct in my business. Would like some good advise on how to get over this

You are developing fear of fear, in each situation where u experienced fear, u are afraid to experience it again. That is normal, perhaps self-protective behaviour, but it is a circle like that. And it narrows down your life. Your anxious mind, is very creative and can learn u to be anxious in new situations than just the old ones.

You can stop it by proving to yourself with small things, that you can do it. And it is always you deciding over the way you think. This is in short, as I am heading for bed.