Presenting at work

[RainbowBriteUk]

Does anyone else have this irrational fear of presenting?

I'm good at my job but when it comes to presenting I get this all consuming fear. Tomorrow I have to present for around 2 hours and all I've thought about all weekend is that.

I really hoped I would come down with something or even something happen and I die before I have to go to work tomorrow (it's that bad). I hate this part of my job.

Screwed up my numbering then but hopefully it makes sense.

I have had a lifelong phobia of public speaking and have to do it as part of my job, maybe once a month.

Propanolol has changed my life. I take 40mg 30 mins' prior and I come across as incredibly calm and confident. I still feel panicked, but the medication stops any outward sign.

I have my own horror stories to tell, but my very able friend has a better one.

Like me, despite her outward confidence, her body just wouldn't behave.. panic, trembling hands and voice, couldn't see the slides.

She rolled up to a meeting, only to find it was a full huge conference room, lectern, microphone, the lot.

She actually phoned her husband to get her called over the tannoy claiming a family emergency!

She then discovered propranolol.

@DontBlameMe79

When I went to my GP to ask for a beta blocker (propranolol) prescription for speaking anxiety, after doing my own research on the net, I was expecting a lecture…you know, medication not being the answer, try CBT, don’t rely on drugs, don’t believe what you read on the internet. But he just said - “oh yes, I use them for that too, bloody brilliant”. Like Dogood, they saved my career, no exaggeration. And I use them less and less as I know I have them if needed, which mitigates the problem in the first place.

I went and got the lecture. My GP absolutely will not prescribe them. Also won’t prescribe anything for panic attacks, or for the severe anxiety I have about upcoming dental surgery.

I’m now thinking maybe I need a new GP!

I have to present a lot at conferences (usually 200-400 attending).
I find what works for me is pick one person out in the audience and speak as though I am only speaking to them

Me! I have had this since my teens and I feel it has negatively impacted my career and life choices.

When I infrequently presented as a young graduate, I'd go beetroot red, shake like crazy and want the world to swallow me up at the end so that I'd never have to see my colleagues that had witnessed it all ever again. I wish I'd had propanol then. I have it now, it is a game changer.

I used to go to speakers club too and that was really useful but then kids and life got in the way.

Good luck, Op.

I get this too but mine is even in meeting situations so I will freak out if I'm picked on to speak in a meeting or even on a call. I take proponolol too which does help but isn't helpful if you're suddenly put on the spot! You also can't take it when pregnant! I still will definitely stick with using it when I'm back at work but I need to find other solutions too. My reaction is very physical to the point where ive had what I believe to be panic attacks when ive felt I might need to present at some point. Luckily I'm never forced to present in a formal way but then again it means I never push myself to try it!

Ps I certainly don't think it's irrational. I think putting yourself in a vulnerable position in a high risk scenario where you've got a lot to lose is a very rational fear indeed!

I’m the same and I’m in a manger role and routinely do long presentations. It kinda gets easier , depending on how confident I am about the subject or how prepared I am . I even get nervous about future presentations I haven’t even bee given but just knowing I might have to do one makes me anxious 😕

Glossophobia… torture led me for over half my life, but still trying to tackle it!! Best of luck for today OP

I've decided I just won't do it any more

I used to feel like this but early in my career someone told me the only way to get over the fear is to do it, and do it a lot. Just do every presentation you possibly can. Pretty soon you just get used to it.

Also get there early so you can sit quietly at the back and get a feel for the place, know your first and last paragraphs by heart, talk about yourself a bit if appropriate as that is calming, keep your slides simple and short, and don't resort to drugs!

@UserNameNameNameUser
You can buy propanonol online if GP won’t prescribe

Just curious how many propanolol tablets you take before a presentation or interview?
I would take 2 or 3, 40mg tablets, spaced out an hour or two before the event.
Just curious how much others take?

Another vote for propranolol - I take 40mg an hour and a half before the event - works like magic. I buy them on the internet, you could have them in a day or two.

I have always found presenting ok if I'm well prepared and know my stuff. Try to think of it as an opportunity to show off how good you are at your job. I went on a one day course and something we all found useful is to practise deep breathing beforehand, especially if you are feeling a bit panicky.

[quote poopyface]@UserNameNameNameUser
You can buy propanonol online if GP won’t prescribe[/quote]
That’s handy to know! Thanks!!!

Just wanted to thank you for this thread. I have just had a senior job interview and after reading this thread I took 40mg of propanol beforehand. I was still me and able to answer but was not Shakey or had the voice trembling. I don't know the result yet but it made the interview much more pleasant.