Hi,
I´ve stumbled upon this forum and I´d like to ask you for advice since I am really, really desperate…
I am in my early twenties, just finishing college and I have to defend my thesis in about 3 months.
The problem is, I get extremely anxious whenever I have to stand up in front of people and speak.
It started after I failed a few presentations (I nearly passed out during the last one).
A year ago, when it got really bad and I knew I could not do this again (presentations for my class), I went to my GP and got a document saying I cannot do presentations due to health reasons - and it worked.
However, as a part of the thesis defence, I have to first make a presentation about 15 minutes long in front of ca. 8 people (my supervisor, the committee …).
I am really worried that I fail because of my anxiety and I wont defend my thesis. I am know that I will make a fool out of myself anyway and I am sort of ok with it but the fear of failing completely (like passing out) makes me super anxious even now.
Whenever I have to speak in front of more than, let´s say 5 people, my voice gets really shaky, I get exetremely sweaty hands, the heart bets super fast, I get the dizziness, my whole body shakes and I am not able to think properly. I can´t even answer the simplest questions in this state…
I have Xanax presribed by my GP for these ocassions, I´ve tried it and it seems like it helps but it´s not magic (it does not make me tired or anything btw. so thats good too).
I am ready to put in some work, change things up in my life since for the next 3 months before the presentation…Please, if you have any tips on how to deal with this, I will be very grateful.
I started cutting down on coffeine, since I´ve read it makes the anxiety and jitters worse, I will start having breakfast in the mornings since I was told that should help too…I do not know what else to do.
Thank you!
first of all Tom, you are not alone. Public speaking is the number one fear of most people. However, I’m sure that before you have to give the talk, you would be able to get some help with this.
for one thing, mental attitude is huge! if you keep telling yourself that you were going to look like a fool, that will register in your brain. You’ve got to turn it around.
I had the same issue with public speaking in school.
I did get some help with it and one of the things I learned was that you don’t have to FEEL confident to APPEAR confident.
It’s a part of changing the thoughts that we have. Some people call it “fake it to make it”. and it actually works!
another way of thinking is having the attitude that those listening to you are LUCKY to be hearing what you have to say. What you have to say is important and you are in a sense educating them. so you take the attitude that these people NEED to hear what I have to say because I believe in what I’m saying!
so stand up tall with your shoulders back and project your voice. That shows that you are confident even if you don’t feel it, they see that you are!
Do you know how many speakers ( some famous) that look confident but inside are nervous? Pretty much nearly 100%.
But nobody knows it because of the way they project themselves. !!
it May sound silly but we definitely CAN fake people out! They don’t know the difference.
if you truly believe in what you are saying, then OWN it and be proud to share it with those you are speaking to!
This Way, it put you in the position of , for lack of a better word, a position of authority versus a position of fear.
You could definitely get some help preparing. You could even speak with a counselor who could help you implement what I have said. You could practice in front of somebody, maybe family or friend or the counselor. You can practice in the mirror.
START speaking positive self affirmations to yourself. You can find these on YouTube. You have a lot to offer so be proud of that!The more you practice all of this, the more confidence will be a part of you!
You can do it! You’ll be fine. Give yourself credit that you deserve.take care! 
