A
female
age
22-25,
anonymous
writes:I have a problem with speaking to people. Sometimes it’s a new girl who is looking at my school, sometimes it happens when I am writing the answer to a question on the board in front of everyone at school, sometimes it happens during a presentation or oral examination; I can’t think, mix up my words or just temporarily cannot speak. I have started shaking and I cannot control it and that drives me crazy! I am not even shy! This only happens when I’m in a big group or meeting someone I haven’t seen in a long time. Today I started trembling during a debate; I realized I was shaking (so did my class) and couldn’t stop it, i blanked on what i was going to say even though I was holding flashcards detailing the presentation and I missed out on about half of the information I was going to say.What is wrong with me? How do I at least stop the shaking?
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reader, anonymous, writes (18 April 2018): There is absolutely nothing wrong with you. Nothing some time, experience, and practice won't fix.
I had that problem myself. I would sometimes go blank, freeze, and words wouldn't come-out in-front of people. I used to walk-around with my head-down and eyes to the floor. One of my teachers took notice and made be comeback after class. I rarely rose my hand, she always called-on me anyway. She knew I had the answer, but forced me to speak-up. I tried so hard not to be noticed. Fly below the radar!
She gave me a project. Told me pick a topic I was passionate about; and do an essay on it for extra-credit. One thing for sure, I loved making A's and writing.
I thought I was just going to turn it in. She made me read it before my class!!! She whispered in my ear to stand tall, and let her hear my voice to the back of the room. She went to the back. I trembled like it was 10 below zero! I read my essay. The class really liked it. They applauded. I got an A! I though I would pee my pants, I was so scared!
She told me to hold my head high. Let others hear my voice. People are just people; and my fear of eye-contact and being heard was all in my own head. Now that I'm all grown-up and have a job. I have to give power-point presentations in meetings full of people; and speak to people in auditoriums when representing my company.
I took speech courses, public-speaking, and doing auditory presentations. I forced myself to do it. I still get choked. It never stops, but I do what I gotta do!
I never knew someday I would be doing it for a living! I love that teacher!
A
female
reader, Honeypie +, writes (18 April 2018):
 Yep, sounds like stage fright.
Just START whatever public speaking you are doing by letting people know that you are just a just not good at public speaking. It will make you relax because EVERYONE will know, and you have ACKNOWLEDGED it openly.
Practice. Practice.
Accept that people will look at you when you are the one speaking.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (18 April 2018): I know exactly how you feel. I get exactly the same when I have to do presentations at work. The key is to practice the presentation multiple times. Also the more public speaking you do the easier and less nerve wracking it becomes. If you take a bottle of water with you them you can take a sip to disguise the brain freeze and give yourself a moment to think.
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A
female
reader, aunt honesty  +, writes (18 April 2018):
 There is nothing wrong with you at all, you just have stage fright! Believe me it is very common, even people who are not generally shy can get cases of this.
If you find it is happening when you are talking publicly try practicing in front of a mirror and gain more confidence in yourself. It can take time to build up your self esteem but it does get easier. Remember that we all get nervous so don't worry about what other's think if you are a bit shaky.
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