Solving Public Speaking Panic Attack

Persons who are not used to speaking in public are prone to sudden panic attacks that may cause them difficulty in breathing. A public speaking panic attack is a common form of panic attack. Usually, if the person is able get through the panic attack the first time, it then becomes like any other ordinary activity like eating or sleeping.

Most people experience panic attack at some point in their lives. When a person is forcibly shoved in a spotlight to speak or sing before an audience, he may experience a panic attack. Aside from difficulty in breathing, he may also experience fear, dry mouth, befuddlement or confusion and irrational thoughts. These symptoms may not be alien to most people because it is such a common phenomenon.

The problem with a public speaking panic attack is that the experience can be so traumatic such that the attacks can recur even when the person is no longer speaking in public. The problem can deteriorate and become so intense to the point that it starts to define and control a person’s life.

Majority of those with a public speaking panic attack joke about it when they finally realize that nothing really bad can happen to them. But for some, panic attacks are episodes of extreme terror such that the trauma can linger for the rest of their lives. If that is the case, it is advisable to seek medical attention to arrest the problem from aggravating any further.

Recovering from Public Speaking Panic Attack

In case the person continues to experience fear even after the speaking engagement, it is important to talk to a person with the same problem for better understanding and learning how to cope with it. If the panic attacks intensify or persist, it is best to consult a medical professional. Normally, panic attacks do not last for more than a day; otherwise, something is wrong with the person. The sufferer should explain everything about the public speaking panic attack to his doctor because there are instances when the doctor is able to lessen the symptoms in one sitting.

If the problem is not totally eradicated, do not concern yourself too much about it. Worrying will just aggravate the symptoms. Once the doctor is able to identify the root cause of the public speaking panic attack recovery can start. But the healing process is slow and tortuous; there is no instantaneous solution to the problem. The sufferer should slowly go through the healing process and trust that his doctor is there to help him achieve recovery.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 at 9:59 am and is filed under Panic Attacks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.