Hi Suryanshu Walvekar,

The fear of public speaking or performance, often called stage fright, exacts a huge toll on self-
confidence and self-esteem and causes some people to leave school or a job or pass up a promotion.
Many, including seasoned professional performers, suffer in silent terror. And because they feel
embarrassed, people try to keep their fear a secret, even from a spouse or other close family
members or friends.

In order to overcome the fear of stage fright, apart from your mentioned strategies, the following
aspects may also be considered. Refuse to think thoughts that create self-doubt and low confidence,
practice techniques to calm and relax mind and body, such as deep breathing, relaxation exercises,
yoga, and meditation,smile and greet people, thinking of them as friends rather than enemies and
give up trying to be perfect and know that it is OK to make mistakes.

Hi Devika Satija,

Nice discussion.Apart from your stated points in the regard of reasons for public speaking, I am
adding some more aspects.
a. Physiology

Fear and anxiety involve the arousal of the autonomic nervous system in response to a potentially
threatening stimulus. When confronted with a threat, our bodies prepare for battle. This
hyperarousal leads to the emotional experience of fear, and it interferes with our ability to perform
comfortably in front of audiences. Eventually, it prevents people from pursuing opportunities for
public speaking.

b. Thoughts

This factor involves people’s beliefs about public speaking and about themselves as speakers. The
fear often arises when people overestimate the stakes of communicating their ideas in front of
others, viewing the speaking event as a potential threat to their credibility, image, and chance to
reach an audience
.
c. Situations

i.Lack of experience
ii. Degree of evaluation.
iii.Status difference.
iv.New ideas
v.New audiences

References

Stein, M.B., Walker, J.R., & Forde, D.R.  (1996). Public speaking fears in the community: 
Prevalence, impact on functioning, and diagnostic classification. Archives of General
Psychiatry, 53, 169-174.