Many of us have our different fears. For some it's bugs, for others it's loosing someone very close, while others fear heights. For me, it's speaking in front of people. When I came to college, I had never done a speech before. I'd had to perform in front of a lot of people but it was never where I had to speak. I have never been the one where words come easy and flow in a perfect speech. In fact I was just short of going to a professional speaker to help me and everyone around me said so. When I had my first speech at college, I was absolutely terrified. My brain started shutting down and I could do nothing about it. Everyone thought that the more I practiced the better I would get but they were wrong. I had done about five speeches when I mentally and physically couldn't handle it anymore. I would faint thinking about it or get really sick. I was happy when my speech class was over and I didn't have to worry about it anymore, or so I thought. For my music major, I was required to take a Hymnody course and 3 classes into it I saw that I was supposed to make presentations. I thought I could do it and that my ridiculous phobia had died down but the night before I was supposed to give my first presentation on the Hymn "Beautiful Saviour," my brain did something weird and I had to step outside my apartment for an hour. My body started shaking and I was crying uncontrollably. The next morning my body had tensed up so much that I was in pain: pain so terrible that I couldn't move and couldn't not move. I told my professor and he understands but I feel so...small and insignificant. Do any of you have such fears that might match mine? Or maybe you have some advice on how to deal with this full-blown phobia.

This post has been edited by loverofmusic20: Oct 5 2009, 06:38 PM

OH, we are sooo similar.One of my worst fears is performing front of people.
I can do it in front of my friends but not in front of others.Not even my parents.If i'm asked to sing or say something for an audience, my throat goes all dry...and weird.
I hate having everyones attention on me but I'm really comfy with my friends and myself.I have never really understood why.
My dad says it's because I have no confidence in myself but I think it's the way I am. I dont think confidence can be gained in a day or two...it takes time (for me atleast).
Dont worry, everyone has got their own weakest point!!!