Public speaking is more than just talking to people in a social setting; it’s a key skill. It’s all about communicating your ideas clearly and presenting them openly to the audience, and there are many benefits to doing so.
But it’s common to fear and avoid speaking in public, with as many as 74% of people experiencing some degree of speech anxiety, and 6% dreading it as much as death.
Whether it’s for a work presentation or raising a toast, speaking in front of people can become overwhelming and induce anxiety for people with this fear. This fear can quickly turn into a phobia called glossophobia, where you may actively try and avoid any situation where you’re expected to speak in public. But this avoidance comes at a cost, robbing you of opportunities in your professional life and career, and impacting your overall growth and development.
Hypnotherapy for fear of public speaking can flip the script in your favour. In this blog, you’ll learn all about public speaking anxiety and how you can overcome your public speaking fear with hypnosis sessions with me, Dr Kamal, at LHNLP.
Understanding Glossophobia or Public Speaking Anxiety
The fear of public speaking is also known as glossophobia. Glossophobia induces a crippling fear of talking to strangers, a group of people, or in front of an audience in a social setting. Those with social anxiety or social phobia may also have glossophobia.
The common symptoms include:
- Fear and nervousness
- Fear of judgment, being laughed at, or ridiculed
- Panic attacks
- Excessive sweating
- Shaking or trembling hands and feet
- A racing heart
- Trouble speaking clearly
- Unable to exhibit confidence and authority
- Feelings of self-doubt and insecurity
How Fear of Public Speaking Impacts Your Life
Public speaking is a vital skill in many professions, and those who can speak confidently and persuasively are more likely to succeed in life. But glossophobia, or the fear of speaking in public, impacts your life in more ways than one.
Professional and Career
If you’re a professional, a fear of public speaking can restrict your opportunities for advancement in your career and prevent you from achieving your full potential. It can limit your visibility and hinder your career progression, especially in professions like sales and retail that rely on social interactions for business.
Academic
For students, public speaking anxiety may cause issues with participating and presenting in class. This fear can affect grades and opportunities in learning and development, particularly in higher education, where public speaking is important.
Social and Relationships
In personal and social settings, your glossophobia may cause you to decline invitations to potential engagements and gatherings where you may be required to speak. This avoidance behaviour can put strain on your relationships.
The Long-Term Impact of Public Speaking Fear
Over time, the stress and anxiety associated with the fear of public speaking can lead to poor mental health and other conditions, like chronic anxiety and depression.
Most people have misconceptions about speaking in public that fuel their anxiety and fear. One of the most common is the fear of being judged, ridiculed, or laughed at by the audience. Another is forgetting what to say, being tongue-tied, or making mistakes while speaking.
It’s important to understand that even the most accomplished speakers make mistakes, and audiences are more forgiving than you think. You can successfully overcome these intrusive thoughts and mental blocks fuelling your public speaking fear with hypnosis. As your hypnotherapist, I can help you feel calmer and more confident and overcome the anxiety associated with speaking in public.
How Hypnotherapy Works for Fear of Public Speaking
Hypnotherapy shows a lot of promise in managing public speaking anxiety. Various hypnotherapy techniques are designed to help you change the thoughts, feelings, and responses in your subconscious. Targeted relaxation and positive reinforcement techniques help your brain rewire your inbuilt response to speaking in public.
These techniques allow you to remain calm and take control of situations that demand that you speak, replacing fear and anxiety with confidence and control.
Here are some of the benefits you’ll start experiencing with my confidence-building hypnosis sessions:
- Reduced nervousness and fear
- Improved focus and clarity of thought
- Increased confidence in your speaking abilities
- Better control over physical symptoms such as shaking hands or a racing heart
- The ability to enjoy public speaking rather than dread it
Begin Your Journey as a Confident Speaker with Dr Kamal
As a clinical hypnotherapist with 25 years of experience in helping people with mental health conditions, I combine my expertise in clinical hypnotherapy, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), and coaching to help you overcome your fear of public speaking.
My confidence building hypnosis sessions go beyond addressing the fear of public speaking with hypnotherapy. I’ll not only help you become a better public speaker but also improve your quality of life and open up new opportunities for growth and fulfillment.
At LHNLP, I employ a step-by-step and personalised approach to addressing your personal fears and phobias that hold you back from speaking in public with clarity and confidence.
If you’re ready to be a more confident speaker, I welcome you to get in touch with me. Contact me via phone or email, or by filling out a form for a session in my London clinic or online, according to your convenience. Conquer your fear of public speaking with hypnotherapy and lead a more confident life today.