What is Public Speaking Phobia & Performance Anxiety?

In various surveys, the fear of public speaking is often ranked as the number one fear. Surprisingly many people will rank the fear of public speaking higher than the fear of dying.

Someone experiencing public speaking anxiety is feeling the effects of the 'fight or flight' response. The fight or flight response is our mind and bodies natural response to a perceived threat. The perceived threat itself may be physical or psychological in nature. (e.g. making a scene, looking foolish, not being liked or accepted, appearing weak, potential physical harm etc.)

When it is activated, hormones are released into the body to enable us to either deal with or escape from the dangerous situation. The effects of the fight or flight response include an increase in our heart rate to pump blood faster to the lungs, muscles and brain. We breath more rapidly to increase our oxygen levels, our muscles tense ready for action and many functions not necessary for fighting or escaping, such as digestion or reproduction, slow or stop.

It is important to realise that all anxiety including public speaking anxiety starts with our thoughts, and it is our brain that then stimulates the release of the various stress hormones. It is the negative thoughts we have about what is happening in the world around us, or other people, or our own bodily sensations, or even our own thoughts that will start the anxiety response within our body.

In some ways our minds and bodies can't tell the difference between the thoughts about a situation and the situation itself. Therefore by simply thinking negatively, worrying, or 'what if'-ing about an upcoming presentation, speech or performance, you are activating the fight or flight response in exactly the same way as if you were actually experiencing it in reality.

Due to the way anxiety functions, it is hard to fight it head on. You've probably already tried to consciously control it and failed. In fact the more you fight and try to control the anxiety, the worse it gets! I wonder if you could you imagine just how useful it would be for you to learn new and different ways to think and react so that your fears just faded away and no longer seemed a problem?

When you are committed to making the inner changes you need to control your public speaking fears or performance anxiety, simply phone me on 0207 183 4548 or to make an appointment now.

Symptoms of public speaking anxiety / performance anxiety may include:

PLEASE NOTE: If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms then get them checked out by a doctor right away. Some physical conditions can produce symptoms very similar to those of anxiety, and it is important for you to discuss these with your doctor to rule out a physical cause.

Common situations which often provoke public speaking and performance anxiety include:

• Wedding Speeches
• Presentations
• Meetings
• Interviews
• Exams
• Acting Auditions and Performances
• Musical Performances
• Speaking on the telephone
• Being put on the spot
• Centre of attention

Panic Attacks

A panic attack may also be experienced as part of the public speaking anxiety or performance anxiety, and is an intense rush of very uncomfortable physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, nausea, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, inability to concentrate, and confusion. Which is coupled with negative thoughts about the situation (e.g. making a scene, looking foolish, not being liked or accepted, having a heart attack, not being able to breathe etc.).

Symptoms of panic attacks can include palpitations, sweating, trembling or shaking, sensations of shortness of breath or smothering, feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, dizziness or light-headedness, derealisation or depersonalisation, fear of losing control or going 'crazy', fear of dying, paresthesia, and chills or hot flushes.

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When you are committed to making the inner changes you need to control your public speaking fears or performance anxiety, simply phone me on 0207 183 4548 or to make an appointment now.

The Public Speaking and Performance Anxiety Treatment

The treatment is available at both the Harley Street and Manchester practices and is custom made for your unique personal requirements, so the exact form of treatment and number of sessions will vary from person to person depending on your needs, the severity of the problem, and any other complicating factors. Most people will usually see significant improvements in as little as 6 to 8 sessions, for more deep rooted or complex problems, more may be required. The treatment process itself is pro-active, relaxed, sensitive, respectful, confidential and non-judgemental.

The overall aim of this process is to help you to experience a deep permanent change in how you think and feel about public speaking or performances. Which will then allow you to feel more comfortable and at ease, and even enjoy situations which used to cause you anxiety and fear. During the process we will address whatever issues need to be dealt with to enable you to overcome your anxiety and fear.

©Rachael Magowan Photography

Examples of some commonly dealt with issues:

• Changing limiting beliefs and building powerful empowering beliefs.
• Changing your perceptions of others, and what you think they think of you.
• Disassembling of the negative feedback loops, and self reinforcing and self sustaining aspects of the anxiety and fear.
• Change what you feel about yourself and your abilities.
• Building your self-esteem, self-worth.
• Enhancing your self confidence.
• Emotional state management.
• Learning to relax/ground/centre yourself so you can stay more in the moment.
• Positively changing your perceptions of contributing past events and future worries.

My Own Research:
Some years ago I completed a research project modelling the thought processes of several successful performers. At the time I was terrified of any sort of public speaking or performance, and was very curious to find out how some people could remain so calm and comfortable in front of large groups. After interviewing the performers, I contrasted and compared their thought processes and behaviours, and distilled the information collected into a process that could be taught, with some guidance, to others like yourself. Through working with many clients over the years that followed, I have expanded and refined this process further and it now forms the basis for my successful work with performance anxiety and public speaking fears.

The treatment integrates my experience and a variety of therapeutic processes, including but not limited to Hypnotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), CBT, Psychotherapy, Mindfulness, Self-Relations, Life Coaching, and Stress Management which are individually recognised as highly successful ways of changing peoples behaviours and perceptions and I'm sure you can imagine the amazing benefits of combining these powerful techniques, allowing you to quickly and easily change the thoughts, emotions and behaviours you currently have about public speaking and performances.

©Rachael Magowan Photography

I am a professional fully qualified and experienced Advanced Hypnotherapist, Psychotherapist, Life Coach and a Licensed NLP Master Practitioner. I integrate all my skills and experience to produce a treatment that is tailored to your unique needs. So that together we can work to help you to change in the quickest and easiest ways possible.

When considering the rest of your life, what value do you place on your well-being?

When you are committed to making the inner changes you need to control your public speaking fears or performance anxiety, simply phone me on 0207 183 4548 or to make an appointment now.

(See the consultation fees page for prices and discounts.)

What this treatment is not: The treatment is not a list of quick fixes, or tips about public speaking. Nor is the treatment a 'miracle secret' technique that can be applied in moments that will somehow mysteriously and magically cure you of a lifetimes worth of anxiety without any effort. You can find that sort of ridiculous over hyped product and information on a thousand other websites, and may even have wasted good money and time on them without any real or lasting success. In those cases the old adage holds true 'If something seems to good to be true then it probably is.'

In reality its easier than you think: Sometimes in reality there are no instant fixes or magical cures, but that doesn't necessarily mean you can't change, or that change is hard or takes a long time. All that is really required to change, is a little bit of committment to your own personal growth, taking ownership of your issues, putting in some effort for a few weeks, and getting some helpful and realistic guidance from someone who genuinely has considerable professional and personal experience in dealing with anxieties. Almost before you realise it you'll be surprising yourself with what you are capable of doing.

When you are committed to making the inner changes you need to control your anxiety, simply phone me on 0207 183 4548 or to make an appointment now.

Booking is easy

NOTE: Before booking it is very important that you get any physical symptoms diagnosed by a medical practitioner or doctor to rule out any physical causes.

I recommend booking an Initial Consultation first. This gives us the chance to begin to explore your issues and your requirements further, give you honest answers to any questions you might have, give you a realistic estimate of the number of sessions you may require and begin the process of change.

When you are ready to make the inner changes you need, simply phone me on 0207 183 4548 or to make an appointment now.

I practice both from a clinic on Harley Street, London, and from a consulting room in my home in Chorlton in South Manchester.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

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Nigel Magowan
BSc(Hons) UKCP(CIT) DABCH MCAHyp GHR SQHP MHA AMPM
Solution-Focused Integrative Psychotherapist, Life Coach, Licensed NLP Master Practitioner, Ecotherapist, Accredited Supervisor and Advanced Hypnotherapist

About Nigel Magowan

Nigel Magowan is a professional and experienced Solution-Focused Integrative Psychotherapist, Life Coach, Licensed NLP Master Practitioner, Advanced Hypnotherapist and Ecotherapist. Nigel has trained with some of the best trainers. He combines all his training, skills and experience to produce a treatment that is tailored to your exact needs. He uses a Brief Integrative Solution-Focused approach to his work which can bring about results in a much shorter time than traditional counselling or psychoanalysis. He has also received additional specialist training in working with addictive behaviours, treating IBS, managing pain, stress management techniques, and Ecotherapy. Nigel is also a fully trained and accredited supervisor and offers supervision to other therapists.

He has his own busy Psychotherapy, Counselling, Life Coaching, NLP and Hypnotherapy practices on Harley Street, London and also in Chorlton, South Manchester.

He specialises in helping people with anxiety, panic attacks, public speaking and performance anxiety, fears, phobias, stress management, addictions, IBS, pain control, confidence and self esteem, insomnia, smoking cessation, weight loss, and study and sport performance enhancement.

He is a a UKCP Candidate in Training; a member of the Community for Contemporary Psychotherapy; a Senior Member of the General Hypnotherapy Register, Full Member of the Hypnotherapy Association; the Corporation of Advanced Hypnotherapy; the Association for Neuro-Linguistic Programming (ANLP); the NHS Directory of Complementary & Alternative Practitioners; the UK Register of IBS Therapists; the National Register of Practitioners in Smoking Cessation

He practices according to the Community for Contemporary Psychotherapy, General Hypnotherapy Standards Council, ANLP and Hypnotherapy Associations code of ethics.

Nigel holds an enhanced CRB certificate and has full Professional Indemnity Insurance.

Qualifications & Training

Continuing Professional Development
Current and on-going training and supervision, keeping my skills fresh and at the cutting edge

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

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