At the Podium with Ease:
Coming to Grips with Glossophobia
Written By: C. Williams
As you walk to the front of the room, your heart begins to pound heavily in your chest. The walls and ceiling seem to be closing in around you. Where there was air only moments before, you can hardly breathe as your pulse quickens and a river of sweat flows down the small of your back. Could you be having a heart attack? If you’re not at the dentist office or meeting your girlfriend’s parents for the first time, chances are it has nothing to do with your de facto cardio muscle. In fact, you are most likely suffering from one of the world’s most common fears…the big, the bad, the bold, glossophobia. Otherwise known as the fear of public speaking, glossophobia (glosso means tongue and phobia means fear, in Greek) is believed to be the single most common phobia, affecting as much as 75% of all people.
What is glossophobia?
Although it might sound like a hip new dance move, glossophobia is far from fun. This widespread issue is actually considered a social anxiety disorder (SAD). According to the Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Association, a social anxiety is an experience of fear, apprehension or worry regarding social situations and being evaluated by others. Everyone varies in how they experience anxiety in this way. Situations that trigger a response also vary from person to person. Anxieties about public speaking or presenting in front of a group are very common SADs.
So, do you have glossophobia?
Let’s find out. A person living with glossophobia will have extreme anxiety immediately before, days ahead or even just thinking about having to verbally communicate in front of a group of people. It’s called stage fright, even though some individuals are able to dance or perform in public without any onset of an attack. Speaking is what seems to get the best of them. So if you find yourself hyperventilating and overwhelmed with anxiety at the thought of standing at a podium, you could very well have glossophobia. Other symptoms include avoiding events where the attention might shift directly to you or an onset of panic or nausea in such circumstances. You might even find yourself stuttering or completely unable to speak. And no, sign language and mime are not viable alternatives. It’s important to determine whether or not you have this phobia, get to the heart of the matter and implement solutions to overcome your fear once and for all. To work towards a solution, you need to find out why you have stage fright. Read on.
What causes glossophobia?
Because people have various reasons why they dread speaking in public, there are many possible causes of glossophobia. It can be as simple as the fear of presenting poorly to something more complex like a single traumatic event. For instance, maybe you spoke in front of a classroom of kids as a child and they laughed at the way you were dressed. Or maybe you had a presentation not go as well as expected. These circumstances may have created an ongoing apprehension about public speaking – causing you to avoid the podium or stage at all costs. Over time this can lead to a severe case of glossophobia. On the flip side, glossophobia may also have no specific cause, as some people fear anything unpleasant – which includes speaking in front of an audience.
How do you overcome glossophobia?
Fear is a normal, natural and important part of human nature, working as a built-in defense mechanism. It is the emotion that alerts us to dangerous and precarious situations, and helps us to protect ourselves. For that reason, you should never feel ashamed or less of a man for having occasional bouts of fear. You can actually make fear work for you. When fear sets in, so does adrenalin. Adrenalin can be used as energy to overcome glossophobia. It is definitely mind over matter and here’s how it works. First, admit that you have a problem. Don’t make excuses or apologize for your nervousness or fear. Next, tap the energy that comes from your fear of public speaking. Always be aware of your breathing. Never allow it to become too rapid or too shallow. You’ll want to adopt a positive outlook and always exude confidence. Remember that you have something very worthwhile to say and that your audience is interested. They are not there to judge or condemn you. And finally, establish some type of warm-up routine before a speaking engagement. You might try a few simple exercise movements such as shoulder shrugs and curls. Or opt for meditation. There are some great books out there on the topic.
When should you call in the pros?
Having a fixated and obsessed fear of speaking can significantly and adversely affect a person’s life. That’s why you should seek treatment if you believe that you have a severe case of glossophobia, one that you can’t overcome on your own. Professional treatments for glossophobia include hypnotherapy, prescribed medications and cognitive behavioral therapy. You can also enlist the services of a professional association such as Toastmasters International, a non-profit organization that helps people to develop public speaking and leadership skills.
Whether you are able to conquer it on your own or with the help of a specialist, once under control you can put glossophobia in perspective and eventually out of your life for good. Just imagine how great it will feel to stand at the podium with ease! Good luck!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
A Love for Good Queen Bess
Reign – Elizabeth I, Queen of England (1558-1603)
When Elizabeth succeeded the throne, she was presented with the daunting task of repairing a divided country. Strong in demeanour and will, she had been properly prepared to tackle the challenges that would arise during her illustrious time on the throne. Elizabeth immediately assembled a loyal political administration, including nine Privy Councillors. The key appointment was Sir William Cecil as Principal Secretary. This was the beginning of a successful partnership that would endure for thirty-eight years of Elizabeth’s reign.
In one of the first meetings of Parliament, Elizabeth sought to restore Protestantism with the 1559 Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity. Her goal was to refrain from the extreme Protestantism as seen during Edward’s reign or the rigid Catholicism of Mary’s. Elizabeth sought a middle ground, expanding the Church’s ideologies to include the majority of her subjects. With the creation of the New Prayer Book, diverse spiritual needs were met. Although Elizabeth transformed England into a liberal religious state, she could never forgive the Roman Catholic Church for labelling her a ‘bastard’. As a result, many plots to murder Elizabeth were devised. All failed miserably.
Elizabeth managed to overcome all adversaries. Her reign in fact is considered one of England’s most notable periods, dubbed the Elizabethan or Golden Age. The era was decorated with the great figures of literature, drama, art and exploration with the work William Shakespeare, Sir Francis Drake, Edmund Spenser and Sir Walter Raleigh. England rose to defy the stealthiest European powers and positioned itself as a resolute political nation.
Although everyone assumed Elizabeth would marry and produce an heir to the English throne, she remained a “Virgin Queen.” Despite her many suitors, including King Phillip II of Spain and Robert Dudley, she remained unmarried and childless. This sparked great concern among her advisors, as Mary Queen of Scots was a likely successor. Her Catholicism was a major threat to England and, as such, she was taken prisoner for 19 years under Elizabeth’s reign. In 1587, Elizabeth’s counsellors finally convinced her to execute Mary on charges that she had plotted to overtake the throne.
Elizabeth managed to keep England at peace for nearly 30 years, despite the country being at war with France at the onset of her succession; an unfortunate circumstance of her half-sister’s reign. With the execution of Mary Queen of Scots, Spain emerged as England’s greatest enemy. Under Elizabeth’s rule, the English navy was encouraged to raid Spanish shipping vessels and demolish Spanish monopolies. This outraged Phillip, who launched the Spanish Armada in 1559 in retaliation to the English. A Catholic uprising against a Protestant England, the Armada was eventually defeated by Elizabeth’s powerful Royal Navy.
After the Armada, Elizabeth’s general popularity began to suffer as she grew increasingly out of touch with her subjects. Elizabeth died at Richmond Palace on 24 March 1603, leaving behind a rich and prosperous country. She was succeeded by the Protestant James VI of Scotland, son of Mary Queen of Scots, who later became King James I of England.
Elizabeth had been dedicated to her country during her ruling days, quite unlike any other monarch in English history. She ruled with a firm hand, yet with a gentle heart leaving behind an endearing legacy that has placed her among the greatest of all historical figures.
When Elizabeth succeeded the throne, she was presented with the daunting task of repairing a divided country. Strong in demeanour and will, she had been properly prepared to tackle the challenges that would arise during her illustrious time on the throne. Elizabeth immediately assembled a loyal political administration, including nine Privy Councillors. The key appointment was Sir William Cecil as Principal Secretary. This was the beginning of a successful partnership that would endure for thirty-eight years of Elizabeth’s reign.
In one of the first meetings of Parliament, Elizabeth sought to restore Protestantism with the 1559 Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity. Her goal was to refrain from the extreme Protestantism as seen during Edward’s reign or the rigid Catholicism of Mary’s. Elizabeth sought a middle ground, expanding the Church’s ideologies to include the majority of her subjects. With the creation of the New Prayer Book, diverse spiritual needs were met. Although Elizabeth transformed England into a liberal religious state, she could never forgive the Roman Catholic Church for labelling her a ‘bastard’. As a result, many plots to murder Elizabeth were devised. All failed miserably.
Elizabeth managed to overcome all adversaries. Her reign in fact is considered one of England’s most notable periods, dubbed the Elizabethan or Golden Age. The era was decorated with the great figures of literature, drama, art and exploration with the work William Shakespeare, Sir Francis Drake, Edmund Spenser and Sir Walter Raleigh. England rose to defy the stealthiest European powers and positioned itself as a resolute political nation.
Although everyone assumed Elizabeth would marry and produce an heir to the English throne, she remained a “Virgin Queen.” Despite her many suitors, including King Phillip II of Spain and Robert Dudley, she remained unmarried and childless. This sparked great concern among her advisors, as Mary Queen of Scots was a likely successor. Her Catholicism was a major threat to England and, as such, she was taken prisoner for 19 years under Elizabeth’s reign. In 1587, Elizabeth’s counsellors finally convinced her to execute Mary on charges that she had plotted to overtake the throne.
Elizabeth managed to keep England at peace for nearly 30 years, despite the country being at war with France at the onset of her succession; an unfortunate circumstance of her half-sister’s reign. With the execution of Mary Queen of Scots, Spain emerged as England’s greatest enemy. Under Elizabeth’s rule, the English navy was encouraged to raid Spanish shipping vessels and demolish Spanish monopolies. This outraged Phillip, who launched the Spanish Armada in 1559 in retaliation to the English. A Catholic uprising against a Protestant England, the Armada was eventually defeated by Elizabeth’s powerful Royal Navy.
After the Armada, Elizabeth’s general popularity began to suffer as she grew increasingly out of touch with her subjects. Elizabeth died at Richmond Palace on 24 March 1603, leaving behind a rich and prosperous country. She was succeeded by the Protestant James VI of Scotland, son of Mary Queen of Scots, who later became King James I of England.
Elizabeth had been dedicated to her country during her ruling days, quite unlike any other monarch in English history. She ruled with a firm hand, yet with a gentle heart leaving behind an endearing legacy that has placed her among the greatest of all historical figures.
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