An estimated 85% of Americans suffer from the fear of public speaking, a social phobia known as glossophobia. Characterized by an intense fear of social or performance situations, social phobias can physically manifest themselves through palpitations, tremors, sweating, diarrhea , confusion, and blushing, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA).
While researchers work at pinpointing the cause of public-speaking fear and other social phobias, some investigators suggest the trigger may be a small structure in the brain called the amygdala, which is the central site in the brain that controls fear responses.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports social phobias may also be inherited, with researchers recently identifying the site of a gene in mice which affects learned fearfulness. Scientists are also exploring a biochemical basis for the disorder, with the idea that heightened sensitivity to disapproval may be hormonally or physiologically based.
Social phobias may also be fueled by environmental factors. For instance, a fear of public speaking may be acquired from observing the fear in others, a process called observational learning or social modeling.
Classified by the American Psychiatric Association as the top social phobia in the United States, the fear of public speaking is being successfully treated by cognitive-behavior therapy.
During cognitive therapy, glossophobics gradually confront audiences under the supervision of a trained therapist. Instead of fleeing from their fear, individuals confront their anxiety with a goal of steadily reducing the dread they once felt.
Therapy may also include anxiety management techniques such as deep breathing; cognitive restructuring to help individuals develop more realistic expectations of public-speaking dangers; and group, couples, or family therapy.
Antidepressants—primarily selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and rarely monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)—are also being used to treat the fear of public speaking. Doctors do not yet know whether the combination of cognitive therapy and drugs might lead to better outcomes than either treatment alone. However, the FDA now requires manufacturers of most SSRIs to warn doctors and patients about an apparent risk for suicide among depressed children and adolescents treated with these drugs. It is unknown whether SSRI treatment for anxiety disorders could also lead to increased suicidal risk.
Toastmasters International (whose members meet regularly to practice public speaking in a supportive environment) offers these ten tips for speaking success:
RESOURCES:
American Psychiatric Association
http://www.psych.org
National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
Toastmasters International
http://www.toastmasters.org
References:
National Institute of Mental Health. Available at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/NIMHphobiafacts.pdf .
Last reviewed October 2005 by Lawrence Frisch, MD, MPH
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.