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

[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.