Stage Fright

That well-known dramatic fear of public speaking (40% of American adults suffer from it) is also called stage fright.

Your hands shake, your mouth dries up, your heart pounds loud enough (you’re sure) for the audience to hear. You’d like to escape but your knees are shaking or too weak for you to run. You’ve heard of panic attacks and now you’re having one. Join a very large segment of humanity who have this phobia, also called "performance anxiety." You can add your name to a list which includes Barbra Streisand, Rod Stewart, Carly Simon and more.

Here are the four "A"s of stage fright:

1. Anticipation: Imagining the disaster you’ll be on stage.

2. Avoidance: Not going on stage and thus losing the chance to cope and grow an inner strength.

3. Anxiety: Those panicky physical symptoms which you’re sure will cause you to pass out.

4. Appraisal: The "Whew! I did it!" conclusions after the performance or presentation. 

Should you try to overcome your stage fright, here are some helpful hints:

1. Breathe from the diaphragm. Practice this type of breathing before going on stage.

2. No one can tell you’re a wreck. It’s just your inside self that’s panicking.

3. Realize you will be anxious and use the shot of adrenaline which comes from our "fight or flight" response. Turn it into power. You never know; dealing with anxiety just might improve your presentation.

4. Focus. Know your lines or your material.

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