HUGE public speaking problem... any help?

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I love to learn but I hate school. I could sit in a library all day long and read about different topics, make my own projects and learn on my own. When it comes to going to college though I have dropped out 4 times due to the mere fact that I can't be around too many people. I can't even stand up and read a paragraph I turn dark red all over including my hands, sweat literally drips from my body along with intense heat waves radiating off of me. It doesn't stop and it only gets worse. To the point where I need to hold something and I feel like I am going to faint. This has always happened to me, I can't even do a one on one with the teacher themselves without this happening.is anyone else this bad? to jeaprodize my education due to the mere fact that I can't communicate?I think maybe it has something to do with my childhood experiences, I did not go one day without kids literally screaming insults in my face or throwing things at me. I used to ride my bus with my hands over my ears humming pretending not to hear. This continued on through middle school and finally ended in high school, but I lost the ability to talk to people somewhere and I can't get it back.
 
In all honesty I think you need to see a specialist therapist. I don't think in the space given for Yahoo Answers your problems could be effectively dealt with.Phil
 
Have you considered an online university program such as the University of Pheonix?
 
look into counseling. i was going to suggest taking a public speaking course at college, but your fear is more than that. I think you should look into counseling; find a psychologist, counselor or psychiatrist who specifically works with people who have the problems you're experiencing. you may need to look into a medical referral place to find the physician you need.i pray you're able to find the help you need!
 
wow. I'm really, really sorry to hear that. Kids can be very mean. I think that it is important that you go see a psychologist. I'm not calling you crazy and I'm not saying you need one. But they listen to you, and they give you advice about what to do, they really do help. remember i said psychologist, not psychiatrist. they are different.
 
What are you really afraid of? Its not the speaking, that's just a symptom of a larger problem. Just remember, everyone came into this world the same way; no one is better than anyone else unless we allow ourselves to think they are. Its all upstairs and can be overcome.
 
You have to realize that virtually all of your anxiety goes unnoticed by others. I know it is hard to believe, but it is not easy to tell when someone is nervous. If anything, just mention that you are a little nervous before you start to speak. It sounds like you have a pretty serious anxiety problem or agoraphobia. I think you should see a therapist and talk about your past experiences. You need to get this stuff off your chest. Be stronger than those people who try to bring you down. This is part of life. Now that those experiences are in the past you have to let them go. It would not be a bad idea to take some anti-anxiety medicine along with some form of therapy. Simply communicating with a therapist will help you a great deal. One thing you could do on your own is start small by practicing communication with family members and close friends.
 
Angela,Many people don't do well in crowds (Enochlophobia), and many have a fear of public speaking (Glossophobia) but the combination of the two is a little more rare. Without knowing you and your background a real diagnosis will be impossible, but I will attempt to help.(1) We get over our fears by embracing them. Practice speaking in front of one or two trusted friends or relatives. Just read a few paragraphs from a book, for instance. When you have conquered that, add a few people to the mix. It helps to at least pretend that everyone in the audience is your friend to reduce the anxiety you feel.(2) With a person you feel safe with, work on being in a crowd starting with very small groups of people. The more you do it, the easier it will get.Anxiety is no joke, it is the flight or fight mechanism born of adrenalin gone out of control. While it is normal to experience a little anxiety both in a crowd or public speaking engagement, what you describe to me is a severe set of symptoms. You mention that kids were cruel to you when you were young, and it is unfortunate that children are so cruel, but they often pick up on a persons weakness and exploit that for their own entertainment. This doesn't mean you are a substandard human, it means that your fears were easy to see and that leads me to believe that your anxiety has been with you a long time. This was what the children were picking up on - your reaction to their cruelty - rather than the individual insults they hurled your direction.This does, however, lead me to believe that a combination of anxiety reducing drugs coupled with talk therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy is what you need to begin the healing process and lead a normal life. Most towns have free mental health clinics or psychologists who will work with you at a reduced rate. I challenge you to seek out help, and be sure it includes cognitive-behavioral therapy and not just anxiety medication. Medication is the band-aid and cbt is the life saving surgery you need to live a more happy life.Good luck, and don't give up!
 
when i read your question i felt like i had to tell you that you are not alone in this. im so similar to you, the going deep red thing included, and im afraid to speak to people and think my childhood experiences of kids jeering at me when i blushed.its really hard to get over, but it can be done just with practice, and not giving up. you dont say what age you are? in my first years of school, i hardly spoke to anyone out of fear and had these anxiety attacks when they did. it can leave you feeling isolated and lonely! and i know you want to talk to people, join in, its just that you afraid, you can help feeling nervous.im 17 now and kids do get nicer, people are more accepting. i remember having to stay off school during a public speaking thing for english, so i lost a percentage of my grade, just cause i couldnt stand being so vulnerable in front of a class of 30 kids!!i try to avoid anything that might put me in that position where i could be embarrassed, scared or whatever. you will probably develop these coping mechanisms too. the thing is, locking yourself up in your house, or getting home schooled will just make it worse. youre just avoiding the problem and when you do go out in social situations the effects will be far worse than they are now.you think inwardly too much, try to think of others, do you have a close friend at school? people actually dont notice others flaws you know, when you see somebody you dont think "uh wow they look nervous" or pick out whats wrong with them. people mature, people dont abuse others. you have to trust that. although be prepared that if they do insult you, then take a deep breath and block them out and realise how immature theyre being.if yoou do feel anxiety coming on, concentrate on your breathing, making sure its slow and relaxed, try to think about something else. like something you have planned that makes you happy. try not to focus on what youre doing, or take it seriously. when you speak, then think about what your sayiing, not abut how youre being perceived. when people are watching you, theyre nervous too about public speaking in class and are looking to see how you are coping. the others who've already done it, are usually relieved its over and are distracted. anyway.. i do ramble.. i know.. sorry... yyour problems with general communications, pick up a few comon phrases like, "oh really?" and "no way, did that actually happen?""haha, thats funny" if someone shares a story, use their story to relate to them , think of something similar that has happend to you.people are really involved with themselves usually, and arnt looking to see how you are perceiving them, so just focus on what you are talking about.sorry if im not making sense.oh and listen to stanley above.. he has really good tips...it will get better x
 
I know exactly how you feel. I was heavy as a child and I was always tormented by other kids even adults sometimes. I was always very depressed growing up. Now as an adult.... I am a supervisor at a warehouse and last week I had to do interviews for the very first time. When I did the interviews my face would get beat red and my hands would sweat. I felt like everything that came out of my mouth was jibberish. I couldn't barely talk. It was talking but I got so nervous that I would studder. I felt like ti was going to pass out. I had to leave the room to take a breather. I had to call the other supervisor in to help me with the interview. It's so embaressing that I can't even do a one on one conversation w/ someone. I felt more nervous then they did. Don't get me wrong I am a great boss but when it comes to me speaking I just can't do it. I hate that people have to look at me and that I have to be confident in what I say. Which I'm not. And therapy does not help. I just think that I can't change. My mind was raised this way and it would be impossible to make me feel secure about myself. I have a one year old and I really do not want her to end up like me. I always thought I was the only one with this problem. And I have no one to talk to about it b/c they look at me like what the heck is wrong with you. They just don't understand. ANd yes, I now that me being heavy is the main reason for me to be like this!!!!
 
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