Fear Of Public Speaking

What causes the fear of public speaking? Glossophobia, the fear of public speaking, affects hundreds of young people everywhere, mostly students. The fear is often played of by teachers as the student’s way of trying to get out of assignments. Is this really the case? Are there other underlying issues besides students just not wishing to an assignment? “Clinically, patients with a history of childhood trauma often struggle with variable symptom complexes including both depression and anxiety” (Gillespie, Nemeroff 1). All anxiety is another word to describe a fear. When a child suffers through trauma, whether that be from being bullied for a speech impediment or from being degraded by a parent, it can negatively affect a person’s ability to speak in front of large groups of people. It can even negatively affect the way a person communicates one on one. “Glossophobia can be directly caused through a related trauma or distress” (Healthtopia1). If a child experiences

Fear of appearing stupid” (Kepford 1). Other fear contributions can horrendously affect a young person’s ability to communicate. If someone is afraid of looking stupid it can permanently stunt their social life. Teachers should take into account a child’s mental state before punishing them for not wanting to give a presentation or for not preforming a presentation to the teacher’s expectations. “5.3 Million Americans have a social phobia

3.2 Million Americans have a fear of crowded or public places” (Kepford 1). Crowded public spaces are the locations of most presentations. Children have experienced lower grades because they are not able to perform to a teacher’s standards. So, this brings to question if teachers allowed students to video record or just give presentations one on one with the teacher, would their grades improve at all? If the grades did improve, would the child’s fear of public speaking decrease, allowing them to become more confident and speak to a whole