Glossophobia

Glossophobia

A person goes up to the podium to do a presentation. Even before he starts speaking his heart starts to beat and his mouth gets dry. He feels slightly nauseous. Once the person starts talking, the heart keeps beating rapidly and the person hears his voice tremble. The whole body starts shaking. He keeps on stammering and stuttering and prays to God for a quick end to his presentation.’

This is actually a common scenario we see everyday whenever people have to speak before others. By understanding the common scenario, I propose to inspect on glossophobia (fear of public speaking). “Glossophobia”, the fear of speaking in public is rated as only second to the fear of snakes and before the fear of dying. Symptoms include intense anxiety prior to or simply at the thought of having to verbally communicate with any group, avoidance of events which focus the group's attention on individuals in attendance, and may even include physical distress, nausea, or feelings of panic in such circumstances.  You may also have shortness of breath, a shaky voice, rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, dry mouth, inability to think clearly, a feeling of loss of control, blushing, stuttering, trembling and sudden sweating.  Many people report stress-induced speech disorders that are only present during public speech.

In business, the cost is incalculable. Imagine missed business opportunities, being passed over for promotion, being reluctant to attend meetings or verbally report on your activities because you suffer from glossophobia.

The primary purpose of the report is to find the factors which instigate the fear towards public speaking which is also known as “glossophobia”, its symptoms, awareness amongst people and most importantly to identify methods and techniques which would allow a person to reduce that fear and excel in public speaking. Therefore, I believe that my research paper on “glossophobia” will give the clear perception and the methods to reduce the...