To have a complete phobia of public speaking

[user1471436410]

So I've always been pretty nervous of public speaking but managed to get through it when necessary while still hating it! It's a small but pretty important part of my job - training, giving presentations etc which I have to do pretty infrequently. Since I got back from maternity leave 3 months ago I haven't really had to do any but had to do a presentation to a small group of customers (6 people) this week and found I was so so nervous I felt like I was going to pass out. My voice was shaky and I felt like people must have noticed.

My boss has now talked about me doing more of this, to larger groups and I'm absolutely terrified and feel like my voice will be completely shaky and it'll be so obvious I'm nervous.

Does anyone else feel like this and does anyone have any tips on what has worked for them in the past?? Any advice really gratefully received, I'm seriously freaking out about this!

Propranolol and Valium together for me!

I think the true answer obviously is practice practice practice (eg Toastmasters) to enable you to properly overcome the fear, but in the meantime, drugs can help get you through

Gin and tonic also works. But not too much mind.

I hate to say it again, but practice!
I used to be so bad, worst occasion half my face froze into a half smile that I could not move for over an hour, like the opposite of palsy? It was mortifying. I took a job which was based around giving talks and in a few weeks I was totally fine with addressing groups.
Knowing your subject is good, having some "go to" fill in stories or quips is good if your mind goes blank but nothing can compare to just keeping on at it

When I was a student I literally lost the power of coherent speech when I had to talk to an audience. Years of practice and I actually enjoy it now! A couple of things that help, particularly for professional things - remembering that the people there are genuinely interested in what you have to say - you're not 'doing public speaking' but sharing some information you have with people who want to hear that information - that seems to make my brain cope with it better. I also choose one or 2 friendly faces (either people I know or people who look particularly interested) and just talk to them if I'm getting nervous.

What all previous posters have said but also slow down your speech. People tend to talk too fast and you appear much more in control when you speak slower.