Social Phobia is an irrational anxiety brought forth by exposure
to certain social situations, leading to avoidance behaviour.
Specific Phobia is a persistent and irrational fear in response
to some specific stimulus, which commonly results in avoidance
of/withdrawal from that stimulus. It could be triggered by an
insect or animal (zoophobia), by a situation like being trapped
in an enclosed space (claustrophobia) or it could be a fear of
disease (pathophobia).
Though it feels real, the fear of public speaking or
Glossophobia is what psychologists call "social construction".
This means that it is not a natural phenomenon, but the result
of something society has created. We expect it to cause fear and
therefore, it causes fear.
Unfortunately it is this "fear of the fear" which causes the
problem to perpetuate, creating a vicious cycle.
It is possible for a sufferer to change their attitude to public
speaking and thus reduce their fear. If you can figure out
exactly what it is about public speaking that scares you, then
you can begin to see what you might be able to do about it. This
analysis will help you to change your feelings.
For example, if you regard the thought that people might laugh
at you to be an important factor in your fear, you should ask
yourself when they have laughed at you before. If they only
laughed when you wanted them to, then your fear is unreal. Such
reflection can make a positive change in your attitude to public
speaking.
|
