social phobia and university...AHHHH!!

marmite

I am in my second year at university and am struggling now more than ever. I clam up in seminars hoping I wont be asked to speak out. Ive got a presentation to do in May, and am considering leaving as I feel that bad.

I really want to graduate next year, but the pressure on me to 'perform' in front of people is really taking its toll!

Does anyone have any similar experiences or ways that theyve learnt to overcome this?

Guest · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 10:53 am Post subject:

Hello Marmite,

Something very similar has happened to me. I graduated two years ago and like you gave my first presentation in my second year. I was really nervous and hated the idea. The way i got round it was to practice my presentation over and over. Use the same room as you'll be using in the real presentation and rehearse it over and over. Once you get to know the lecture theatre controls and environment you'll be alot more comfortable. It works for me.
I now lecture students twice a week for an hour and i still now and then quickly go through my material to make sure i dont umm and ahhh through my talk. If you know your material well you'll start to enjoy the lecture. The short time before the presentation you'll feel anxiety and maybe in the first few slides you have. Once you get into that same rythem as what you did when you practiced you'll feel better about yourself and the anxiety will pass.

If you want to know more about my anxiety and panic attacks at uni see my post:

http://www.socialphobiaworld.com/postt165.html&sid=685facc37397398afa2900e9711e6011

Don't worry about it. If you mess it up knowone will judge you for it. Everyone is in the same boat. Its aweful i know to see people with their heads held high and confident but sometimes these are the worst at their presentations.

Regards

Orlando · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 9:31 pm Post subject:

Hi, Marmite,

Yes, I understand your predicament. I’m in grad school. I have to do an hour presentation on Social Phobia on Monday, March 8, 2004 at 7pm. Yuck!
However, what keeps me a little calm is that I know most people will daydream through my presentation. I noticed that about myself (no matter how interesting the topic is!). My attention span lasts for the first 15 minutes after that I start thinking about other things (i.e., the breakfast I had in the morning, why I don’t like my toast burnt, if my sock are clean, etc).
So when I get up in front of my classmates, I will be blushing, sweating, and stumbling over my words BUT I know that after 15 minutes, they will be thinking about how they would like to eat their burnt socks in the morning. So I don’t care (even though, I do. Hey, I won’t lie to you. I’m nervous!) However, I’m just going to get this thing over and done with.

Just wanted to say. I know what you are going through and it is intimidating.

-I know that I will support you and many other people who use this website will support you too!-

Kick some Speech-‘butt”!

_________________
-Orl

neddy · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 3:49 pm Post subject:

Marmite, I have never been able to stand up in front of people to give a talk/lecture, but some advice someone gave me one day was too make out that there was no one in room, or too fix your sight on something in the back of the room, even though every now and again you are susposed to look up at eveyone you aren't actually looking at them. Don't laugh but something else that was suggested was to imagine them sitting there in the nude, they are harmless and truth be known they are feeling as scared and nervous as you are. Some times when people come across as being really confident they are actually feeling anything but. Give it go, quite often if you make a mistake they wont pick up on it unless they are an expert on the subject.

Orlando · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 8:32 pm Post subject:

Marmite,

Are you feeling a little better about giving the speech?

_________________
-Orl

Orlando · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 8:32 pm Post subject:

Marmite,

Are you feeling a little better about giving the speech?

_________________
-Orl

marmite · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 1:28 pm Post subject:

Hi, thanks for the support..its much appreciated!

Unfortunately the thourght of giving a 20 min presentation to the class still scares the s!*t out of me! Ive seen my doc again and he has said he can give me valium for it if i want but im unsure about using medication for it! Has anyone had any experience with valium for public speaking before?

Ive only got two monthes of second year left so it'd be a shame to pack it in now just because of this obstacle... Rolling Eyes

Orlando · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 10:53 pm Post subject:

Hi, marmite!

Although I haven't used Valium, I used Xanax. Just 'watch-out' I heard people actually abuse the drug if they take it too long. But if you just use it for your speech and throw the bottle away, everything should be ok. Here is a website where you can get more information on valium.
http://www.psyweb.com/psywebsub/DrughtmAdv/AdvValium.html

As an alternative, you can consider Xanax. That is what I used (I stopped it though). It calmed me down in very anxious situations. It is used for short-term relief of mild to moderate anxiety and nervous tension. The generic name is Alprazolam. Here is a website that you could get some information on it. http://www.psyweb.com/Drughtm/xanax.html

Using it once to get over the speech, OK but anything after that "Watch-Out."

Good Luck!

_________________
-Orl

Mikey76 · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 5:33 am Post subject: Hello

Hi, I had the same problem as you. In class the proffesor called on me and i was just unable to speak. I dont know if it helps, but now i take my courses online. Its good to know that im still being productive in this state im in to set my self up good for the future, one that is hopefully free of SA.

terresap · Newbie User Joined: Apr 06, 2004 Posts: 43