Understanding and Addressing Anxiety

Page 288

Jerry Seinfeld once joked, “According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. . . . This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy” (as cited in Peck, 2007). Whether Seinfeld’s statistics are accurate or not, it’s true that speechmaking can cause some level of public speaking anxiety (PSA), the nervousness we experience when we know we have to communicate publicly to an audience (Behnke & Sawyer, 1999; Bippus & Daly, 1999). While we might think of PSA as an emotional challenge, it often manifests itself with real physical symptoms, including a rapid heartbeat, erratic breathing, increased sweating, and a general feeling of uneasiness. (To determine your own level of PSA, visit James McCroskey’s online quiz at www.jamescmccroskey.com/measures/prpsa.htm.)

For some individuals, however, this nervousness goes far beyond giving a speech and extends to such essential speaking tasks as answering a question in class, meeting new people, or voicing an opinion. Noted communication scholar James McCroskey (1977) calls this communication apprehension (CA) because it is a more general “fear or anxiety associated with either real or anticipated communication with another person or persons” (p. 78). Clearly, though, speaking up or speaking out can enhance personal opportunities and career prospects.

But don’t despair! Whether you suffer from PSA or even the more general CA, you can learn to control your nervousness. In more severe cases, you might consider meeting with a trained professional at your campus counseling center. For less disruptive symptoms, you might simply find comfort in the fact that nervousness is a natural part of life—and that it can actually spur you on to do your best (in the case of a speech, this may mean preparing more thoroughly and practicing more diligently). You may also benefit from the advice we offer here on identifying your anxiety triggers and building your confidence.