Download FREE Practo app
Get ₹200 HealthCash
Public speaking/presentation anxiety
Hello Doctors,
I am 27 years old working in IT. I have public speaking anxiety disorder since long time. Sometimes, i manage through it for initial few minutes but sometimes, it becomes so extreme that i get fully shaky, faster heartbeat, and feels like something is choking in throat region.
It generally happens in the initial 3-4 minutes and then, settles down. Today also, it happened during presentation and i was sensing everything and audience also noticed shaky voice and one colleague mentioned that my voice was like about to cry. When i took a break for a 5 sec, i felt relaxed and continued further without anxiety.
Lot of people in forum advises taking propranol beta blockers but i don't find that as a solution to this problem and may become dependent on it.
Please advise me what i should do. It will be much helpful.
Thank you.
Answers (16)
Get your queries answered instantly with Care AI FREE
20000+ health queries resolved in last month
Hi
Next Steps
hi
Health Tips
hi
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Didn't find the answer you are looking for?
Talk to experienced doctor online and get your health questions answered in just 5 minutes.
+117
Connect with psychologist and do grounding techniques it will be very helpful for your anxiety
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Connect with psychotherapist
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Please don't take this medicine or any medicine without proper consultation.
Stage fright or public speaking anxiety is common and there are causes behind. I would suggest you to take therapy sessions it will really help you out and you will get better soon.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Hi,
Your experience of anxiety during public speaking, with physical symptoms like shakiness and rapid heartbeat, is common, and it's good that you noticed relief after a break. While medications like propranolol can help reduce physical symptoms temporarily, they are not a long-term solution. I recommend practicing gradual exposure to public speaking, starting with smaller groups and slowly increasing confidence. Breathing techniques, mindfulness, and relaxation exercises can help manage anxiety symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with a mental health professional can provide effective strategies to address underlying anxiety, improve confidence, and reduce physical reactions over time. Consulting a mental health specialist is advisable for personalized support and to develop a comprehensive plan.
Next Steps
Consults
Health Tips
seek help
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Consultation with me is advised
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
The goal is not to remove the anxiety, it's about speaking clearly even if anxiety is present. Mostly due to over monitoring - fumbling, blank mind, and fast speaking happens. Speaking lower than normal. Fluency doesn't create confidence, continuing despite imperfections creates confidence. When you start to fumble apologize excessively, don't stop. Like let me rephrase that.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
It seems to be social anxiety leading to performance pressure and affecting your corporate or social outcome.
It needs to be treated asap otherwise it may get complicated and can affect your personal and social life.
It can be well treated with counseling sessions and homeopathic medicine effectively and without any side effects.
It needs to be treated in a holistic approach for complete recovery.
You need an expert Psychologist who is a good homeopathic physician.
Next Steps
I have been working as a Homeopathic Psychiatrist and Counseling psychologist for the last 17 years of experience. You can contact me through an online appointment for further assistance.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Hi,Taking medicine without any prescription could be dangerous and make you habituated.Talk to a professional.
Next Steps
Consult
Health Tips
Deep breathing exercises
You can read self help books
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Hello, thank you for sharing your concern. The symptoms you’re experiencing are common in public speaking anxiety and usually peak in the first few minutes before settling down, as you described. It’s a positive sign that you are able to regain control and continue.
Instead of depending on medications like Propranolol, you can focus on techniques such as deep breathing, gradual exposure to speaking situations, and working on anxious thoughts. Taking a short pause during presentations, as you did, is actually an effective coping strategy.
For long-term improvement, therapy approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be very helpful in managing both physical symptoms and fear.
If needed, you can consider a consultation to work on this in a structured way.
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Connect with psychologist to resolve inner thoughts
Next Steps
connect
Health Tips
consult
Answered
Flag this answer
3/3 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
I would advise you to take clinical hypnotherapy session. Sometimes the root of our problems lies in our childhood we need to heal from there
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
This is performance anxiety - common and can be managed with breathing, gradual exposure and cognitive techniques. Counselling can help
Next Steps
Reach out to a psychologist
Answered
Flag this answer
2/2 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Thank you for sharing your concern so clearly.
What you’re experiencing is commonly seen in performance or public speaking anxiety, where the body reacts strongly in the initial few minutes with symptoms like shaky voice, fast heartbeat, and throat tightness. The fact that it settles after a few minutes is actually a positive sign.
This is not something you need to depend on medication for in most cases. With the right psychological techniques, breathing control, and gradual exposure, this can be managed effectively.
I would recommend starting counselling sessions where we can work on understanding your triggers, building confidence, and teaching you practical techniques to handle these situations calmly.
I have 22+ years of experience in this field and have worked across hospitals, schools, de-addiction centres, Red Cross, and with police departments as a counsellor, helping individuals with similar concerns.
You can consider booking a session with us to start working on this in a structured way.
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Hey
What you’re experiencing is a common form of public speaking anxiety where the body goes into a fight or flight response at the start. The shaking, fast heartbeat and throat tightness are physical anxiety symptoms, and the fact that it settles after a few minutes is actually a good sign that your system can calm down once you stay in the situation. Right now your mind is associating the beginning of speaking with threat, which is why the first few minutes feel the hardest.
Instead of depending on medication, therapy can help you retrain this response through techniques like gradual exposure, reducing fear of symptoms and shifting focus away from how you sound to what you are saying. With the right approach this can improve significantly. Take therapy. You can connect with me on nine two six six seven two six zero six five.
Next Steps
Go for some sessions it will help
Answered
Flag this answer
2/2 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Ms. Neha Sachdev
Psychologist
11 yrs exp
Delhi
Hi
What you’re going through is “what if I mess it up?” I will be humiliated, and this is not the age to go through nervousness. This also happens when you feel that the audience will judge you and will doubt your presentation or your knowledge..
this can be helped without taking any medicine.
This is about what you say to yourself before the presentation or public speaking.. when u go in with a self doubt, the audience reads it, and probe questions purposely. When an information goes with confidence, they believe in it.
If u feel doubt in the content, u go through research and be confident about the information. Be thorough with the content. When itcomes to speaking, what is it that u say to yourself.. we can work on that
Gone through it myself. Worked on myself.
Happy to help
Contact me at eight three six eight zero five three seven one zero
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Articles you may like
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
The question asked on this page is a free question. You can ask a free health question by downloading the Practo app.
Articles you may like
Tell us what's troubling you
Tell us what's troubling you
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.