SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information - View Single Post - Anxiety speaking in front of a group of people

Sweets79 · 07-16-2009, 07:45 PM

Hi,

Does anyone else experience this?

I have always had an extremely difficult time speaking in front of groups of people. I find it doesn't really happen in social situations where I'm comfortable, but more in a school/work environment.

I just started school again and when I was in class the other day, the Professor said he was going to go around the room, ask everyone's name and questions about them. As soon as he said that I felt my heart start beating fast. It wound up that there wasn't enough time and he said he would do it next week. Right away I felt some relief, but I'm not really looking forward to doing it. He also said at the end of the course, we would have to stand up in front of the class and give a presentation, which PETRIFIES me. I have not been able to speak in front of a group of people since I was in Grade School and High School. I've always ran from it, but now it's time to face it.

Does anyone have any ideas or techniques they can suggest for this? I was thinking a Valium would help before the presentation. I have taken them before and they help when I get super anxious. The only problem with that I noticed most Doctors don't like to write out scripts for them. Also, I want to find a long term way to deal with this.

If anyone has any suggestions on this, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

07-16-2009, 07:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sweets79 To thine own self be true Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New York Posts: 756	Anxiety speaking in front of a group of people Hi, Does anyone else experience this? I have always had an extremely difficult time speaking in front of groups of people. I find it doesn't really happen in social situations where I'm comfortable, but more in a school/work environment. I just started school again and when I was in class the other day, the Professor said he was going to go around the room, ask everyone's name and questions about them. As soon as he said that I felt my heart start beating fast. It wound up that there wasn't enough time and he said he would do it next week. Right away I felt some relief, but I'm not really looking forward to doing it. He also said at the end of the course, we would have to stand up in front of the class and give a presentation, which PETRIFIES me. I have not been able to speak in front of a group of people since I was in Grade School and High School. I've always ran from it, but now it's time to face it. Does anyone have any ideas or techniques they can suggest for this? I was thinking a Valium would help before the presentation. I have taken them before and they help when I get super anxious. The only problem with that I noticed most Doctors don't like to write out scripts for them. Also, I want to find a long term way to deal with this. If anyone has any suggestions on this, I'd appreciate it. Thanks __________________ "The man said 'why do you think you here' I said 'I got no idea I'm gonna, I'm gonna lose my baby so I always keep a bottle near..."