Glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking, may impact a person’s mental health and success at work and school. With more than 75% of people reporting this fear, speaking in public is perhaps the most common anxiety experienced by the general population.1 Fortunately, with the right treatment, symptoms can quickly diminish to allow the improved someone’s health and well-being.
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Defining Glossophobia
One may assume that glossophobia, the fear of public speaking, would be a simple and straightforward mental health diagnosis. In reality, however, the condition has many caveats that create complications. To begin with, there is no officially recognized psychological condition called glossophobia.2
Since there is no glossophobia diagnosis, mental health professionals must find the condition that best fits the signs and symptoms of a person who is consistently fearful of public speaking. It’s also invaluable to determine whether someone actually has a true condition that impacts their health and well-being, or whether they have a commonly expected level of anxiety surrounding their public speaking.
Despite its naming, glossophobia is not a specific phobia. Specific phobias are intense fears and worries created by a triggering situation or stimulus.2 For example, people commonly report fear of heights, fear of insects, or fear of death.
With phobias, people feel panic and anxiety with the fear that something terrible will happen to them or they will die when confronted with the object or situation. Although those with glossophobia don’t typically think they will die while giving a speech, they are consumed by the fear of being judged or embarrassed during or after their speech.
This distinction may seem small, but it is important. Since the fear and worry stems from the judgment, glossophobia fits into the category of social anxiety disorder, sometimes called social phobia. More specifically, someone with an intense fear of giving speeches or presentations in front of an audience would likely receive a diagnosis of “social anxiety disorder, performance only.” Here, the “performance only” specifier distinguishes the condition as one triggered only by speaking or performing in public.2
Signs of Glossophobia: What It Looks Like
To the outside observer, glossophobia will be an invisible condition most of the time. A person with glossophobia will be able to function well at home, at school, and in workplace settings as long as no one asks them to speak or present in front of others.
When it comes to speeches at school or presentations at work, a person with glossophobia could react by:2
- Continually avoiding speaking in front of others by postponing, delaying, or forgetting their presentation
- Outwardly refusing to participate in the speech, even if it means failing the class or losing their job
- Thoroughly over-preparing and over-planning for their speech
- Experiencing intense worry and stress during the presentation, which frequently impairs their performance
- Only enrolling in classes or choosing careers that require no public speaking
Glossophobia may present very differently in children than it does in adults. Where adults are more savvy and skilled at avoiding speaking tasks, children may be more prone to appearing defiant and rude when faced with speaking. It may seem that their disrespectful behavior is rooted in an oppositional disorder, but it really stems from their fear of public speaking.
Adults with glossophobia and other forms of social anxiety disorder may:2
- Seem more shy, quiet, or introverted during normal conversations
- Display more passive nonverbal communication with poor eye contact and a soft voice
- Live at home longer due to issues forming romantic relationships
- Self-medicate with alcohol and other drugs to reduce their symptoms before needing to perform
If someone with glossophobia is asked to speak in public, the condition’s signs will be easy to spot, but without the need to perform, they will appear just like most other people. This difference is why adults with glossophobia regularly pursue lifestyles that require no public speaking.
Because social anxiety is so powerful, it can begin to interfere with various areas of a person’s life. Signs that glossophobia has created more damage include:3
- Low self-esteem
- Issues being assertive and clear in communication
- Pessimism
- Being overly sensitive to criticism
- Lacking social skills
- Social isolation and poor relationships
- Poor achievement at work and school
- Addiction and substance use
- Suicidal ideation or attempts
In short, glossophobia’s influence can spread to all dimensions of a person’s life.
Symptoms of Glossophobia
The symptoms of glossophobia mirror social anxiety disorder symptoms. People with this condition will experience high levels of anxiety or fear when asked to perform or present in front of others. In severe cases, this anxiety will rise to the level of a panic attack and create debilitating psychological and physiological distress.2
Social anxiety disorder and glossophobia have distinctive symptoms and diagnostic criteria. All need to be present to receive the diagnosis.
The symptoms of glossophobia include:2
- High stress, anxiety, and panic when people are asked to speak in front of large or small groups
- The person fears that their performance will draw the judgment or negative evaluation of people in the audience, and this reaction will lead to embarrassment or humiliation
- The speaking situations almost always provoke the anxious response. The response in children may present as a crying, freezing, or having a tantrum
- Social situations or situations where public speaking is expected are avoided or experienced with high anxiety
- The level of anxiety felt by the person does not match the threat created by the situation
- The anxious symptoms persist for six months or more
- The high stress and anxiety produce distress that is clinically apparent and interferes with other areas of life
- The fear, anxiety, and avoidance are not caused by the effects of substance misuse or a medical condition
- The symptoms are not better explained by another mental health disorder
This final item is important because glossophobia may be easily confused with other mental health conditions, especially in children. As mentioned, people may mistakenly think that glossophobia is a specific phobia like a standard fear of heights or fear of bugs. It is not.
Selective mutism is a mental health condition that affects children. Children with this condition will not speak at all or only speak with certain people or in certain situations, so their condition overlaps with glossophobia. People with selective mutism may not speak in many situations, not only in public.2
Causes & Triggers of Glossophobia
Understanding the causes and triggers of glossophobia and other mental health disorders helps people learn more about the condition as well as ways to prevent and treat it. Glossophobia triggers include several environmental experiences and biological traits that combine to create the condition.
Common causes of glossophobia include:3
- Inherited traits and family history. A person is more likely to have glossophobia when a close family member has an anxiety disorder.
- Brain physiology. A part of the brain called the amygdala manages a person’s fear response, so when this structure is overactive, stress, anxiety, and worry will be heightened.
- Life experiences. If a person has a string of negative public speaking experiences, they could begin developing the condition.
- Parental influence. Having a parent who displays high anxiety when speaking or who are overprotective increases this risk.
The specific triggers of glossophobia will vary person to person, but the universal trigger is the idea of presenting in front of an audience. Additional triggers of social anxiety disorder include:3
- Going to parties
- Attending the first day of school
- Starting a new job
- Going places where they are expected to speak openly or interact with other people
Treatment of Glossophobia
Despite the seriousness of the condition, phobias typically respond well to treatment plans. With therapy or a combination of psychotherapy and medication, a person can address their symptoms quickly and effectively. Fear of public speaking does not need to be a life sentence.
Therapy
Like with many anxiety disorders, mental health therapy for social anxiety disorder is an effective strategy to manage symptoms. One of therapy’s best features is that the practice tends to carry no unwanted adverse effects or complications. Therapy provided by a licensed and experienced counselor, social worker, or psychologist can improve glossophobia.
Common Therapies
Several therapy options are used to confront the fear of public speaking, but cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) routinely stands out as the leading treatment. CBT is founded on the principle that the way a person thinks, feelings, and behaviors are all interconnected, so the anxious feelings of glossophobia can be corrected by changes to the thoughts and behaviors.
During CBT sessions, the therapist and client will discuss issues with speaking in public and search for methods to produce increased comfort. Performed in individual or group sessions, CBT for glossophobia could include relaxation and social-skills training.3
A specialized form of CBT called exposure therapy creates the desired benefits by allowing the client to confront their fears in a controlled and systematic way.4 These exposures could include people imagining themselves giving a presentation or actually giving presentations to real or imagined groups.
Some CBT treatment programs even utilize virtual reality to expose people to a digital audience to practice their speaking skills. Whatever system professionals use, the person will increase their performance while decreasing their stress of presenting.1
Other therapy options for social anxiety disorder and glossophobia include:4,5,6
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT): A treatment model that helps to improve relationships and communication skills for the client. IPT is structured and focused on making significant improvements for children, adults, and older people in a short amount of time.
- Psychodynamic therapy: A style of therapy based around the concept that unconscious motivators influence a person’s thoughts and behaviors. By using therapy to address feelings of shame and guilt, a person can improve their public-speaking fears.
Intended Treatment Outcome & Timeline
The intended outcome of phobia or social anxiety disorder treatment is to decrease symptoms until the person is closer to the typical level of anxiety and communication. In the best courses of treatment, the person’s speaking abilities could even surpass the abilities of others who never had glossophobia.
The treatment timeline ranges in duration based on the individual’s goals, skills, and the conditions severity at the outset of treatment. CBT and IPT will rapidly improve symptoms with notable progress being made in as few as 12 sessions.5 CBT sessions show response rates even one year after treatment ends.5
Lifestyle Changes
Therapy plays a vital role in the treatment of glossophobia, but without the concerted effort of lifestyle changes, the effectiveness of therapy wanes. With anxiety disorders like this, a person must shift their everyday behaviors to create the lasting change they seek.
Here are some of the most productive lifestyle changes a person can make to create and maintain:7
Addressing the Anxiety
At the root of glossophobia lies anxiety. Anyone who is serious about addressing their fear of public speaking must directly confront their anxiety. With relaxation techniques, like autogenic training, deep breathing, guided imagery, and progressive muscle relaxation, overall anxiety levels will drop.
Factor in the Physical
Some of the best ways to address glossophobia have nothing to do with public speaking. Instead, they have to deal with physical health and well-being. When someone is inactive, eating poorly, and sleeping poorly, they are not prepared to tackle an anxiety disorder. Making a concerted effort to eat well, increase exercise, and get restful sleep can result in many positive effects in the fight against social anxiety disorder.
Don’t Wait Until You’re Ready
People often state that they will be willing to perform the complicated or stressful behavior “when I’m ready.” On the outside, this plan seems perfectly reasonable until one learns that anxiety makes it so no one is ever ready. Engaging in the scary or anxiety-provoking situation is the only way to fully overcome the fear of speaking—so speak early and speak often for the best results.
Seek Support
The friends and family who care about you can offer tremendous love, support, and assistance, but too often, people push them aside. Of course, this move is not the desired outcome, but anxiety disorders have the power to increase isolation and worsen relationships. Avoid this inclination by spending more time with your loved ones and letting them know about your anxiety. Connection always helps.
Medication for Glossophobia
Many people with the fear of public speaking can see their symptoms readily improve with a combination of professional therapy and healthy lifestyle changes. Still, others may require the addition of a medication recommended by a mental health prescriber to receive the symptom relief they hope to find.
Medications for glossophobia, prescribed by professionals like psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and primary care physicians (PCPs), can decrease the anxiety and fear of judgment that underlie fears of public speaking. Various prescription medications for social anxiety disorder exist.5
SSRIs and SNRIs
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are types of antidepressant medications that professionals readily offer to manage symptoms of depressive and anxiety disorders. These medications are useful considering that about 50% of people with social anxiety disorders also have depression.5
SSRIs work by allowing higher levels of serotonin in the brain, while SNRIs allow higher levels of serotonin and norepinephrine. Some examples of SSRIs include:
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
Some examples of SNRIs include:
- Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)
In some cases, older antidepressant medications called monoamine inhibitors (MAOIs) may be used, especially when a person does not find benefit from an SSRI or SNRI. MAOIs used with social anxiety disorder include:
- Phenelzine (Nardil)
- Moclobemide (Moclamine)
- Selegiline transdermal (Eldepryl, Zelapar)
Of note, MAOIs can be dangerous, and their use avoided with certain foods. If prescribed, the clinician will discuss these risks.
Anti Anxiety Medications
By addressing anxiety directly, these medications can help limit the effects of glossophobia and other social anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines are the primary type of antianxiety medications, which interact with the brain chemical GABA to produce their calming effects.5
The downside of benzodiazepines are their ability to create physical dependence, addiction, and the risk of other side effects. These medications are only for adults, as children routinely show unwanted effects with these drugs.
Some examples of benzodiazepines include:5
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)
- Diazepam (Valium)
Buspirone (BuSpar) aims to create the same wanted result as benzodiazepines without the risks. This anti anxiety medicine may take 2-3 weeks to produce results, instead of the quicker effects of benzodiazepines.5
Technically considered an anticonvulsant, gabapentin (Neurotin) is another medication that interacts with the brain’s GABA levels to create calm. Unfortunately, it also carries the risk of physical dependence.5
How to Get Help for Glossophobia
Whether it is an adult or child who needs help for their fear of public speaking, getting professional treatment does not have to be complicated. By recognizing the problem and seeking professional intervention, symptoms can abate.
If you or a loved one seems to need help for glossophobia, consider:
- Seeking input from a friend who has experience with a reputable therapist
- Contact your insurance provider to receive a list of clinicians in your area
- Phone the nearest mental health agency to inquire about available services
- Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician to receive a referral
- Complete an online search for expert options
The worst thing a person with glossophobia can do is ignore the problem . The condition will not improve without professional strategies.
Living With Glossophobia
Living with glossophobia is a challenging proposition as some will choose to escape the situation and avoid acknowledging the magnitude of the condition. Rather than avoidance, decide to seek out the healthiest coping skills to make living with glossophobia a comfortable experience. With luck, glossophobia can be a relic of the past.
These practical tips can help you manage glossophobia:
Be Kind to Yourself
The way you think about yourself and the way you speak to yourself directly influence your mood, anxiety levels, and self-worth. Social anxiety will encourage some pretty negative ways of thinking, but if you identify these thoughts and push back against them, you can feel more hopeful and relaxed.
Be Holistic
Experts know that the way to feel physically influences how you feel mentally. Decide to take a more holistic view of your health and well-being by attending to your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health needs. By taking a diverse approach, you have a better chance of improving overall.
Make It a Team Effort
You might be able to resolve your social anxiety symptoms alone, but doing it with a team will be more enjoyable and more effective. Let people know what they can do to aid the process, and if you do not know, tell them that, too. You don’t need to have all the answers. You only need the willingness to work towards your goal.
Evade the Negatives
Positive coping skills like these are valuable, but they are moot if a person engages in negative coping skills. Substance misuse is common among people with glossophobia as a way to minimize and conceal their symptoms, but it only temporarily masks them. Eventually, glossophobia will return, and this time it will be paired with dependency issues.
Glossophobia Statistics
Glossophobia and social anxiety disorder receive a lot of time and attention from experts in the field, because they affect so many.
Statistics on glossophobia point to:5
- Although many people report a fear of public speaking, about 9% of children and 12% of adults will have social anxiety disorder
- 40 to 50% of people with social anxiety will have major depressive disorder at some point
- About 20% of children with social anxiety have at least one other anxiety disorder
- Women experience social anxiety disorder twice as often as men
- Social anxiety may start as early as age 10, but people wait an average of 28 years for treatment
- Nearly 66% of people who received 16 CBT sessions reported symptoms reduction
Glossophobia Tests, Quizzes, & Self-Assessment Tools
Looking for tests, quizzes, and online self-assessment tools to determine the presence of glossophobia is common, but the practice may only confuse the situation. Social anxiety disorder is a serious mental health condition that should only be diagnosed by a mental health professional.
Though many will have a common fear of public speaking, only a few will have social anxiety disorder. Seek out professional care to help you know the difference between the two.
Additional Resources
Social anxiety disorders, like glossophobia, can severely impact a person’s school, work, and home life.
Because of this, professional organizations are diligently working to better understand the conditions and their treatments including:
- Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- National Institute of Mental Health
- Social Anxiety Association
- Online Therapist Directory: Sort therapists by specialty, cost, availability and more. Watch intro videos and see articles written by the therapists you’re considering working with. When you’ve found a good match, book an online therapy appointment with them directly.
Are you ready to connect with a therapist but feel a little overwhelmed by all your options? Speak with one of Choosing Therapy’s Client Navigators. Client Navigators are mental health professionals who will listen to what you’re looking for in a therapist and help pair you with the best possible fit. Getting started is free, easy, and confidential.
