Public speaking anxiety

Most of us have had the experience of sitting in a training room and feeling dread in our stomachs when the trainer or presenter asks us all to introduce ourselves to the rest of the individuals in the room. Or you have to regularly present at work to your colleagues or bosses, causing you to feel anxiety every day. At that moment, your whole body feels the fear. We almost shrink to avoid being noticed. 

Why do we fear public speaking?

The fear of public speaking may be due to a traumatic experience at school or the workplace. It could also be due to having dyslexia or low self-esteem. Many natural introverts struggle with public speaking as they do not like being the centre of attention. Public speaking anxiety is often cited as one of the most common fears among adults. This problem can impact your promotion prospects and even cause you to avoid applying for jobs that you suspect may involve presenting. Public speaking, when left unaddressed, can affect career progression, confidence, and even job satisfaction.

How public speaking anxiety can affect your life

The fear is not just confined to presenting to a crowd face-to-face. Since Covid-19, many people have had to present online, and for some, this causes anxiety too. The phobia can involve talking on the telephone. Some people who experience this may explain that it is worse when it is people they know. Others will say the opposite. It's not unusual for the problem to be worse when one-to-one and better to a crowd.

Everyone is different for different reasons. The individual may explain to their therapist that they have no idea when or how this fear started, but all they know is that at the moment of starting to talk, they can feel fear in their whole body. They may describe being unable to speak at all – similar to stage fright.

It could be argued that in a world where we spend so much time looking at our phones and texting each other rather than talking, we are losing the ability and confidence to communicate face-to-face. Almost as if this is becoming something weird or different. So far, there is limited research exploring this connection directly. What is true is that we can practice doing anything if we really want to make the changes. Regular practice can make a significant difference.

How can hypnotherapy help with public speaking anxiety?

How can hypnotherapy help? Research suggests that visualisation activates many of the same neural pathways involved in physical performance. This has been demonstrated via MRI scans. Consequently, hypnotherapy can be a useful tool for practising almost anything.

Mental rehearsal is often used alongside real-world practice to build confidence and familiarity. This is because when we imagine in our minds how we would really like it to be, without mistakes and without anxiety. If we do this multiple times, it enhances our learning, helping the mind and body get things right through practice. 

The mind and body are closely connected, and our thoughts can influence how our body responds. Due to this, sports psychology has for decades used this method to improve sports performance, emphasising focus, confidence, and relaxation in the practice. Some hypnotherapists believe that when this is done during hypnosis, the focused and relaxed state may help reinforce learning.

In hypnotherapy, this relaxed state is often described as allowing the subconscious mind – the part associated with automatic habits and responses – to become more receptive to positive suggestions. If the hypnotherapy session is recorded, and the client listens multiple times, this will enhance the learning even further. All the changes must be agreed with the client before the hypnotherapy session, as this will improve the outcome. 

Because every person is different, no matter what hypnotherapist you choose, there is never a guarantee. But it is possible to make changes within a few sessions if you are listening to the hypnotherapy regularly. So whether the problem is due to low self-esteem, introversion, or a traumatic event, or you are unsure, it is possible for many people to significantly reduce their fear. They can do this with lots of practice in the mind and enhance this with hypnosis, a focused and relaxed state used within hypnotherapy. 

The key to most hypnotherapy change is the willingness to change. Progress depends on individual circumstances, readiness for change, and consistent practice.

If public speaking anxiety is affecting your confidence or career, working with a qualified hypnotherapist can provide personalised support. You can explore the Hypnotherapy Directory to find a practitioner who suits your needs.