STAGE FEAR FOR FIRST YEAR (1)@

Counter/Reducing Stage Fright

Understanding Stage Fright

  • Definition: A phobia characterized by an unreasonable fear that may manifest as stage fright, speech anxiety, shyness, fear of speaking, performance anxiety, or speech phobia.

  • Impact: Fear of public speaking can negatively affect careers and hinder success.

Common Experiences of Stage Fright

  • Stage fright typically arises during the transition from final rehearsal to actual performance.

  • Factors: Number of times practiced can influence anxiety levels.

Symptoms of Stage Fright

  • Physical Symptoms:

    • Dry mouth

    • Tight throat

    • Sweaty / cold / shaky hands

    • Nausea

    • Fast pulse

    • Shaky knees

    • Trembling lips

    • Mental blackout and increased heart rate.

Questionnaire on Speech Anxiety

Rating Scale:

  • 1 - NONE

  • 2 - VERY SLIGHTLY

  • 3 - SLIGHTLY

  • 4 - INTENSE

  • 5 - VERY INTENSE

Questions Include:

  1. Weak voice

  2. Shortness of breath

  3. Awkward pauses

  4. Preference to look up/down

  5. Rapid heartbeats

  6. Playing with pen/hanky

  7. No eye contact with the audience

  8. Moving too much

  9. Trembling hands

  10. Feeling cold

  11. Inability to think clearly

  12. Dry mouth and throat

  13. No facial expression

  14. Wanting to end speech

  15. Too fast rate of speech

  16. Feeling dizzy

  17. Feeling awkward and clumsy

  18. Perspiring too much

Components of Stage Fright

Physiological Component:

  • Changes in the nervous and hormonal systems leading to increased heart rate, dry mouth, sweating, nausea, etc.

Cognitive Component:

  • Difficulty concentrating, experience of a black-out, excessive self-focus, negative self-perception, and distorted perceptions of mistakes.

Affective Component:

  • Refers to emotions like fear, panic, insecurity, and feelings of inferiority.

Behavioral Component:

  • Issues with natural movement, increased mistakes, and avoidance behaviors.

Strategies to Overcome Stage Fright

Cognitive Strategies:

  • Detrimental: Catastrophizing thoughts such as anticipating fainting or severe mistakes.

  • Positive: Realistic appraisals of performance expectations, acknowledging mistakes as normal.

Preparation Techniques:

  • Practice: Overlearning through systematic variation in practice conditions.

  • Visualisation: Imagining the successful performance paired with relaxation.

  • Countering Negative Thoughts: Focus on task rather than self.

Self-Inquiry:

  • Reflect on motivations for speaking and individual identity.

  • Seek self-awareness regarding personal strengths and self-image.

Additional Strategies:

  • Be well-prepared and organized with speaking notes.

  • Memorize your opening statement and practice consistently.

  • Learn to recognize stress as excitement and employ deep breathing techniques.

  • Maintain proper nutrition and hydration before a performance.

Final Thoughts:

  • Encouragement to self-examine and use strategies that work best personally to combat anxiety.

  • Emphasize the importance of remaining calm, maintaining positive interactions, and controlling physiological responses before and during public speaking.