So I do have a phobia.. never really realized it.

[Catlady711]

But the good news is, the more times that you do it, the more comfortable you get.

Never worked that way for me before, if anything it gets worse.

I have never had that fear - I have been told by others that I am just not normal. But I have been speaking in front of people since I was 5 years old. When we were 5 (okay, I was *almost* 5), my friend Cassie and I had speaking parts in the Children's Sunday pageant-of-sorts in church. My mom told me someone said to her "Mrs. C is having two 5-year-olds speak? Is she crazy?" and my mom just said "You don't know these two particular 5-year-olds!"

What I tell others is focus on the exit sign at the back of the room, smile at it, talk to it, and everyone will be fooled thinking you're speaking to someone right behind them. And you won't have to look at anyone's face. Remember to breathe deep enough to feel your ribs expand, and speak slower than you think is right, and it'll be just fine.

Oh gosh Karen, that reminded me of something I did in Sunday School when I was like 5. They had a Father's Day thing going on and we had been working on a project for a couple weeks. The idea was we were supposed to get up in front of everyone, say our little 'speech' and give our gift to our father's (or in my case my grandpa). Mom dressed me all up really nice in a dress (now mind you I HATE dresses) she had my hair all done up and matching leotards.....

By this time you're wondering where I'm going with all this right? lol

Anyways the dress had pockets in it and I had my hands shoved way down in the pockets when my turn came up. I got up on the stage, took one look at all those faces looking at me, promptly raised my hands over my head (yes my hands were still in the pockets), whipped the little frilly dress over my face, said my speech, put the dress back down, then gave my gift to grandpa. Mom said she was SOOOO thankful she put leotards on me. ROFL I actually remember doing this and at the time couln't figure out what was so funny that people were laughing. lol

I've had a fear of being in front of people for a LONG time, had full fledged panic attacks, been on tranquilizers for them (didn't work) and I've finally figured out that this is just how I am and live with it (avoiding any type of public speaking at all costs).

[Pawsitive Thinking]

I don't think anyone likes speaking in public - I always work in the theory that "in an hours time it will all be over"

[krazyaboutkatz]

I can relate. I've always had a fear of public speaking. When I had to get up in front of the class to do book reports or other reports it was horrible. People would always tell me that they couldn't hear me so I had to keep on repeating myself and I tried to speak louder. Some of my teachers let me do my book reports only in front of them and this helped a lot.

Today it might be a little easier for me speak publicly but I wouldn't want to have to do this every day. I've also never had a problem with asking questions to some one who is public speaking. I can also speak in front of small groups without any problems. Hopefully you'll be more comfortable as the years go by.

[Randi]

In Denmark, it's commom that someone close makes a speech at the party when someone gets confirmed, married or whatever. When my parents had been married for 25 years, I so wanted to make a speech for them, but I couldn't get up and do it. Also in a school I went to in Jutland for 6 months, the teacher "forced" us all to do a 2 min. speech - we could choose the subject. I found it really difficult to do, in spite of how well I knew the people and how much fun we had. At least I tried!

I have actually made a short speech later, but only to about 5-6 people - and after a few glasses of wine.

[Flatcoatluver]

*Shake's Head* Yep I have that phobia to. I tend to just stutter or forget my words. But no matter what I always end the presentation with having to go throw up. It got so bad, this was the main reason I decided to finish high school by going to a online high school.

I help teach classes for agility, and I never have a problem doing that, I figure it's because I feel safe in the place I am teaching.

[Alysser]

I WAS just like you throughout elementary school and 6th grade, but by 7th grade we needed to do a lot of presentations that year and it helped me a great deal. Also, I just try and ignore it. I want to be an exotic reptile/mammal rescuer when I get older possibly and I want to educate the public about the cons of owning exotic pets, etc. I will need to preform in front of schools and other large groups so if I just keep thinking of that I'm fine.