Fear Of Public Speaking

Willard Scott, weatherman on the Today Show, has suffered performance anxiety throughout his career.  He developed silly costumes as "camouflage" in case he began to "act strange" on camera.  He reasoned that it would be seen as part of his character.

Comedian and actor Gene Wilder does not make personal appearances because of his speaking phobia.  All interviews with him are taped.

Singer Carly Simon had to overcome stage fright in order to continue her career.

The late Jim Backus, who played Mr. Howell, the millionaire, on Gilligan's Island and was the voice of Mr. Magoo, avoided public appearances unless he was taking medication.

Clint Eastwood admits to having anxiety about appearing in front of live audiences.

Kim Bassinger is terrified of appearing in public.  I have read reviews of  her public appearances that describe her behavior as "erratic" and "strange."

Burt Reynolds had to fight his fear of appearing live in order to act at his own dinner theater in Florida.

The list goes on and on.  Performance anxiety or fear of public speaking is the most common fear in America.  Up to 85% of Americans fear speaking in front of others. "Anxiety about public speaking" and "fear of public speaking" spring from the same source, but they are not the same.  There are dozens of books devoted to helping people overcome "anxiety" about speaking.  Many people say "I really hate to speak in front of groups because I get so nervous."   Much of this fear may be from lack of confidence that they can deliver a technically good speech.   However, many people who have a true phobia about speaking can speak well. What they fear is that they will be so nervous it will be obvious to others and they will make fools of themselves.   While speaking they may have a pounding heart, quivering voice, dry mouth, shaky hands, trembling legs, butterflies in the stomach.  They may sweat, choke up, and find themselves unable to concentrate while speaking.  Many of them have passed up career advancement because it would entail public speaking.  Others avoid social interaction that might include having to speak or read in front of others, such as Sunday School or college. Fear of public speaking is considered to be a sub-category of phobia known as social phobia. Social phobia and fear of public speaking can be distinct. While people with a social phobia are uncomfortable speaking in front of a group, they are also uncomfortable in even small, informal gatherings. People who just fear public speaking are very usually confident in social situations in general as long as they do not have to address a group as the speaker.                                                                                    (continued on next page)