Okay, so i’m a 17 year old girl and my absolute worst fear is public speaking. When I was younger like elementary school i could do it, but now I can’t. It’s been a problem I’ve been struggling for years now and I hate it so much. I’ve tried almost everything to make myself better; therapy, vitamins, relaxation techniques, and even hypnosis. NONE of these things have even helped a little. So far in my high school career I’ve gotten out of most presentations but next year I’m going to college and I know I’m not going to be able to get away with it there. The straw that broke the camels back was today. In my health class we had to do group presentations and I was terrified but I decided to try and do it. All I had to say was one line but as my time to speak approached I had a panic attack. I get them whenever I think about giving a presentation or actually giving one. I couldn’t breath, my heart was beating like crazy, I got really hot and dizzy, my whole body was trembling, and I felt like I was going to pass out. It was horrible. I just looked at the teacher and said “I can’t do this” with tears in my eyes. I felt awful and embarrassed. Both my parents are psychologist, so they understand what I’m going through. I called my dad from school sobbing from my panic attack and convinced him to call my doctor, so I would hopefully get some type of pill that will help. But I need advice from anyone out there. What kind of drugs are there that help people like me? Anybody go through anything similar? I honestly cannot physically get up and speak in front of people. Also, please don’t say anything like imagine the audience in their underwear or practice in front of a mirror. those things do nothing. Thanks for any info and advice, it is greatly appreciated.

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I have been elected 3 times in the past as president and I have been rejected it due to my stage fright. I am a very active member when it comes to projects and soliciting for our scholars.. I am also popular in our club what should I do. Our past presidents teases me that I am long overdue already.by the way, I have been a member of our club for the past 30 years.

in front of a girl i really really like

i m not com4table when supposed 2 speak b4 a gatherin or presentig my view points b4 a crowd or audience…..even though m not very shy…….m confident still i end up stammerin n stutterin n worst of all my jaw muscles tighten & m kinda shakin…pls suggest practical solutions

Something that works for you…

Public speaking can be unbearable for someone with social anxiety disorder.

I received a message tonight from my dept. head that I am to allow one of my speech students to deliver her speeches to me one-on-one. While I have a lot of compassion for her, I do feel she is milking or working the system, and that the administrators at my college are not really helping her in the long run. I have agreed to cooperate, but I have told one administrator and my student that I do not feel that her grade will be authentic. If she never delivers a speech for an audience, how can we say that she passed her speech class? She tells me her high school speech teacher let her deliver her speeches one-on-one. She also has documentation fr. a doctor re her phobia. This is a new one for me. I think they should have just waived the course requirement. What do you think? Is this legit? If so, what is the connection btw. her having been a crack baby and her severe public speaking phobia? What’s going to happen to her when she is on the job market or on the job?
EDIT:
She was born to a mother who was on crack, but now she is a young adult who is challenged emotionally and intellectually.
EDIT:
I am not new to public speaking or teaching the subject. So, of course I have taught the class a lot about the empowering dynamics of the relationship btw. the speaker and the audience. The other students are thriving and growing by leaps and bounds. They are learning to bypass their fears. All but this young lady, who cowers in her desk, practically hugs the door ready to bolt, becomes nauseous, leaves the classroom, and looks at me with imploring eyes…You get the pic.

I will learn more about her condition, which is why I posted this quesiton. Does anyone know the typical symptoms of an adult child born to a mother on crack?
EDIT: I have nothing against my student personally. If you knew me better and the situation better, you would never make such an assumption. My issue is with the administration allowing a student who may be more capable than she thinks to not go through an experience that would benefit her the rest of her life, in any and every arena. She is very comfortable with me. She communicates with me after class. She communicates with me via email and instant messages. She just does not want to deliver her speeches to her classmates.

I won’t say that I have never given a speech because of my phobia, but some people seem to enjoy or do not mind giving speeches and I find myself up all night worrying about it, and then often I mess up. Sometimes this phobia extends to not being able to raise my hand in class. Please help. Would it help to take a drug before getting on stage? What worked for you?