Fear of Public Speaking - What Causes the Fear?

Fear is probably one of the lowest human emotions. It works just like an emotion and is deeply programmed into our nervous system. From the moment we are babies, are well equipped with the instinctual survival instincts needed to react with fear if feel unsafe or sense danger. This sense is extremely useful in helping to keep us alive under difficult situations such as a fire, an earthquake or even when we are in danger from other humans.


However, because the feelings of fear can be so strong, it can lead to phobias, otherwise known as abnormal fear of certain things. People who suffer from phobias will avoid these objects or situations and become very fearful of them. In extreme cases this causes a person to feel afraid even in situations where there is no need to be afraid. This type of phobia can cause problems in people's everyday life.

Phobias are different from fears which are caused by a real physical threat. Real physical threats usually involve a physical threat to the body such as being bitten by a dog or becoming lost in a wilderness area. These types of phobias have a biological origin, but are often caused by underlying emotional problems. Fear and anxiety are closely related, but each has its own special characteristics which are different from phobias.

Fears can take many different forms. While fear of insects may involve running out of the house to avoid a perceived threat, fear of heights can be caused by a perceived plummeting danger. A fear of dogs can also involve being afraid of confrontation with an animal while driving on the highway. Regardless of their actual source, all of these types of fear can have similar characteristics.

Anxiety disorders, including phobias, have a close relationship with other common psychological disorders such as depression and panic attacks. People who suffer from one disorder often suffer from others. The extreme reaction that some people have to certain events or objects can be mistaken for another condition. When anxiety is intense, it is often mistaken for fear. Both emotions have important roles in people's lives.

Fears are not limited to physical sensations. A phobia can also be an intense emotional experience. Many people suffer from irrational fears, which can develop into phobias when they are brought into contact with a situation that they perceive to be a physical threat. For example, many people who are afraid of public speaking often become afraid of speaking in public.

Phobias and fears play an important role in our daily lives. While most of us experience some level of fear every day, only a few of us will experience an overwhelming fear. Although fear can serve a useful role in our lives, excessive fear can lead to serious emotional distress. If fear is excessively brought into contact with a situation that we perceive to be a threat, the fear will transform into an emotion that is actually stronger than the fear itself.

Fear is a very powerful emotion. It can affect us physically, mentally, and emotionally. Many people who experience phobias can tell you that feeling afraid can make them sick. Many phobias and fears can be successfully treated, if they are properly diagnosed and treated.

In terms of treating a fear or phobia, many therapists use neuroimaging conserved across various exposures in order to help patients overcome their fears. Neuroimaging allows a therapist to view different areas of a patient's brain during a certain situation in order to help them determine where exactly the fear is coming from. For example, if a person is afraid of open spaces, a neuroimaging scanner can show the exact region of the brain that is processing this fear. After viewing this brain region in a video, the patient can then begin to desensitize themselves to the space. Eventually, they will become afraid of the space, but with constant exposure, they will eventually overcome their fear. This treatment is extremely effective, as patients who undergo this type of treatment tend to have near-perfect results.

Another way to treat a fear is through cognitive behavior therapy. During this treatment, patients are asked to repeatedly think about the event that they were afraid of in the past, while being monitored by a therapist. This way, they can learn new ways of thinking about and dealing with their phobias, as well as learn to avoid their emotional reactions to danger. Cognitive behavioral therapy is often very successful, as patients who go through this therapy often end up with healthier emotional responses to their fears and experiences.

Fear of public speaking often leads to generalized anxiety disorder, which is often accompanied by post-traumatic stress disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the most disabling disorders in the United States, with many people suffering from it day in and day out. It can interfere with all areas of your life and negatively affect your work, social relationships, health, and even your sex life. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to overcome your fears of public speaking and get back into control of your life. Whether you're afraid of speaking in public because you have an embarrassing fear, are afraid of looking nervous, or are afraid of making mistakes, there are plenty of treatment options available for you.