Stage fright/ performance anxiety
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Stage fright or performance anxiety is the anxiety, fear, or
persistent phobia which may be aroused in an individual by the requirement to
perform in front of an audience, whether actually or potentially (for example,
when performing before a camera). In the context of public speaking, this may
precede or accompany participation in any activity involving public
self-presentation. In some cases stage fright may be a part of a larger pattern
of social phobia or social anxiety disorder, but many people experience
stage fright without any wider problems. Quite often, stage fright arises in a
mere anticipation of a performance, often a long time ahead. It has numerous
manifestations: fluttering or pounding heart, tremor in the hands and legs,
sweaty hands
Stage
fright may be observed in people of all experience and background, from those
completely new to being in front of an audience to those who have done so for
years. It's commonly known among everyday people, which may, for example, affect
one's confidence in job interviews. It also affects actors, comedians,
musicians, and politicians. Many people with no other problems can experience
stage fright (also called 'performance anxiety'), but some people with chronic
stage fright also have social anxiety or social phobia which are chronic
feelings of high anxiety in any social situation. Stage fright can also be seen
in school situations, like stand up projects and class
speeches.
Effects of stage fright
When someone
starts to feel the sensation of being scared or nervous they start to experience
anxiety. According to a Harvard Mental Health Letter, "Anxiety usually has
physical symptoms that may include a racing heart, a dry mouth, a shaky voice,
bushing, trembling, sweating, and nausea". It triggers the body to
activate its sympathetic nervous system. This process takes place when the body
releases adrenaline into the blood stream causing a chain of reactions to occur.
This bodily response is known as the "fight or flight" syndrome, a naturally
occurring process in the body done to protect itself from harm. “...The neck
muscles contract, bringing the head down and shoulders up, while the back
muscles draw the spine into a concave curve. This, in turn, pushes the pelvis
forward and pulls the genitals up, slumping the body into a classic fetal
position"
In trying to
resist this position, the body will begin to shake in places such as the legs
and hands. Several other things happen besides this. Muscles in the body
contract causing them to be tense and ready to attack. Second, "blood vessels in
the extremities constrict" This can leave a person with the feeling of cold
fingers, toes, nose, and ears. Constricted blood vessels also gives the body
extra blood flow to the vital organs.
In addition,
those experiencing stage fright will have an increase in blood pressure, which
supplies the body with more nutrients and oxygen in response to the "fight or
flight" instincts. This, in return, causes the body to overheat and sweat.
Breathing will increase so that the body can obtain the desired amount of oxygen
for the muscles and organs. Pupils will dilate giving someone the inability
to view any notes they have in close proximity, however, long range vision is
improved making the speaker more aware of their audience's facial expressions
and non verbal cues in response to the speaker's performance. Lastly, the
digestive system shuts down to prepare for producing energy for an immediate
emergency response. This can leave the body with the effects of dry mouth,
nausea, or butterflies.
Ways to cope with stage
fright
Instead of
looking at your anxiety as a problem look at it as an opportunity to improve
yourself. Use this opportunity to grow and overcome your anxiety. An important
component of this is to bridge the mind body gap by realizing that you have
control over your actions. This can be accomplished by positive thinking and
different breathing techniques. It is important to keep yourself grounded as
well. This can prevent you from spiraling into negative thoughts. An important
step in getting over you anxiety is to identify and dispute your demands on
yourself and your performance. Many studies have been done that show REBT
(Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy) developed by Albert Ellis combined with
determination and hard work can help almost anyone overcome their problems. REBT
deals with the idea that in most circumstances we do not get anxious or fearful
of things that truly merit fear, but we fear constructs that we have invented
internally. By looking at how and why one develops these internal illusions of
fearful things we can help delineate the occurrence of this behavior. The main
goal is to change how you think about the situation. Once a change in thought
occurs you can change your feelings and behaviors.
Famous people with
stage fright
Many famous
people have had stage fright and were able to overcome their problem. Such stars
as Jason Alexander, Mose Allison, Maya Angelou, David Brenner, Peter Coyote,
Olympia Dukakis, Richard Lewis, and many more have dealt with performance
anxiety.
persistent phobia which may be aroused in an individual by the requirement to
perform in front of an audience, whether actually or potentially (for example,
when performing before a camera). In the context of public speaking, this may
precede or accompany participation in any activity involving public
self-presentation. In some cases stage fright may be a part of a larger pattern
of social phobia or social anxiety disorder, but many people experience
stage fright without any wider problems. Quite often, stage fright arises in a
mere anticipation of a performance, often a long time ahead. It has numerous
manifestations: fluttering or pounding heart, tremor in the hands and legs,
sweaty hands
Stage
fright may be observed in people of all experience and background, from those
completely new to being in front of an audience to those who have done so for
years. It's commonly known among everyday people, which may, for example, affect
one's confidence in job interviews. It also affects actors, comedians,
musicians, and politicians. Many people with no other problems can experience
stage fright (also called 'performance anxiety'), but some people with chronic
stage fright also have social anxiety or social phobia which are chronic
feelings of high anxiety in any social situation. Stage fright can also be seen
in school situations, like stand up projects and class
speeches.
Effects of stage fright
When someone
starts to feel the sensation of being scared or nervous they start to experience
anxiety. According to a Harvard Mental Health Letter, "Anxiety usually has
physical symptoms that may include a racing heart, a dry mouth, a shaky voice,
bushing, trembling, sweating, and nausea". It triggers the body to
activate its sympathetic nervous system. This process takes place when the body
releases adrenaline into the blood stream causing a chain of reactions to occur.
This bodily response is known as the "fight or flight" syndrome, a naturally
occurring process in the body done to protect itself from harm. “...The neck
muscles contract, bringing the head down and shoulders up, while the back
muscles draw the spine into a concave curve. This, in turn, pushes the pelvis
forward and pulls the genitals up, slumping the body into a classic fetal
position"
In trying to
resist this position, the body will begin to shake in places such as the legs
and hands. Several other things happen besides this. Muscles in the body
contract causing them to be tense and ready to attack. Second, "blood vessels in
the extremities constrict" This can leave a person with the feeling of cold
fingers, toes, nose, and ears. Constricted blood vessels also gives the body
extra blood flow to the vital organs.
In addition,
those experiencing stage fright will have an increase in blood pressure, which
supplies the body with more nutrients and oxygen in response to the "fight or
flight" instincts. This, in return, causes the body to overheat and sweat.
Breathing will increase so that the body can obtain the desired amount of oxygen
for the muscles and organs. Pupils will dilate giving someone the inability
to view any notes they have in close proximity, however, long range vision is
improved making the speaker more aware of their audience's facial expressions
and non verbal cues in response to the speaker's performance. Lastly, the
digestive system shuts down to prepare for producing energy for an immediate
emergency response. This can leave the body with the effects of dry mouth,
nausea, or butterflies.
Ways to cope with stage
fright
Instead of
looking at your anxiety as a problem look at it as an opportunity to improve
yourself. Use this opportunity to grow and overcome your anxiety. An important
component of this is to bridge the mind body gap by realizing that you have
control over your actions. This can be accomplished by positive thinking and
different breathing techniques. It is important to keep yourself grounded as
well. This can prevent you from spiraling into negative thoughts. An important
step in getting over you anxiety is to identify and dispute your demands on
yourself and your performance. Many studies have been done that show REBT
(Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy) developed by Albert Ellis combined with
determination and hard work can help almost anyone overcome their problems. REBT
deals with the idea that in most circumstances we do not get anxious or fearful
of things that truly merit fear, but we fear constructs that we have invented
internally. By looking at how and why one develops these internal illusions of
fearful things we can help delineate the occurrence of this behavior. The main
goal is to change how you think about the situation. Once a change in thought
occurs you can change your feelings and behaviors.
Famous people with
stage fright
Many famous
people have had stage fright and were able to overcome their problem. Such stars
as Jason Alexander, Mose Allison, Maya Angelou, David Brenner, Peter Coyote,
Olympia Dukakis, Richard Lewis, and many more have dealt with performance
anxiety.