Glossophobia (Fear of Public Speaking): Signs, Symptoms, & Treatments

What Is Glossophobia?

Glossophobia involves the fear of public speaking and worry of judgment from others during a speech or presentation. 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

Despite its name, glossophobia is not a specific phobia. Specific phobias are intense fears and worries created by a triggering situation or stimulus, like fear of heights, fear of insects, or fear of death.² With phobias, people feel panicked 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, closer to stage fright than a specific phobia.

How Common Is Glossophobia?

Glossophobia is a very common condition with many people fearing public speaking. As mentioned, up to 75% of people are anxious when speaking in public, but not all of these people will have enough symptoms to qualify for an actual diagnosis. Other findings show that between 21% and 35% of people in a general sample have a diagnosable fear of public speaking.⁸

What Does Fear of Public Speaking Feel Like?

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

Symptoms of Glossophobia

The symptoms of glossophobia mirror social anxiety disorder symptoms. People with a fear of public speaking 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 distress.²

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

Complications of Public Speaking Anxiety

The fear of public speaking can influence and spread to all dimensions 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 potentially developing agoraphobia
• Poor achievement at work and school
• Substance use or misuse as a means of coping
• Suicidal ideation or attempts

Causes of Glossophobia

Public speaking anxiety can be caused by environmental experiences and biological traits that combine to create the condition. 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.

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 is overprotective increases this risk.

How to Overcome Fear of Public Speaking

Overcoming the fear of public speaking 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.

Here are five tips for how to overcome fear of public speaking:⁷

1. 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 negative self-talk, but if you identify these thoughts and push back against them, you can feel more hopeful and relaxed.

2. Address the Anxiety & Figure Out Relaxation Strategies That Work for You

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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.