Looking for Advice - Anxiousness

LegacyUser

I don't know how common this is, all I know is none of my friends or family seem to have the problem so I don't feel comfortable turning to them for advice, since I feel really embarressed about it.

Basically, I'm soon turning 18 and for the past year and a half in school I'd get spells of feeling so anxious and nervous. Some days its not so bad, some days its terrible and I dont know what makes the difference.
But on the worse days if I have to speak or read out something in class my voice will shake audiably, I'll go red, my face will feel so hot, I'll fidget, hands get clamy... and on really really bad days (which arent too often) my heart will pound, and I can feel dizzy, vision has even got blurred.
Its so embarressing cause I know that the rest of the class can see my nerves and it just makes it so much worse.

Ive avoided going to classes where this can happen a few times and now that I'm coming close to college the course I'm doing involves presentations to classes which I actually physically don't think I'll be able to do. Second I'm told of something like a presentation and my heart starts beating like anything and I'd actually rather die than do it.

I've looked for things online but I honestly dont know what to do.
I cant go to my parents, its really not an option.
My friends wouldnt get it, theyd probably just think it was weird..
Dont know what else to say other than.. help

Kevster

Hey dude,

I was exactly like you when i was in school but I'm now at a point where I enjoy going up in front of class to present things. Many people go through this though, but I know that this isn't any more comforting for you to hear. I'd like to say that you'll just 'grow out of it' too, but that's horrendous advice, right?!

Is there anything specifically that you are ashamed about such that you don't like people looking at you? Are you a social person? Things things DO become easier as you do them more. You have just as much right to stand up and speak as anyone else does; and you should be proud of your strong voice. Let everyone know that you are not going to take **** from anyone and speak with authority, and stand up straight.

Kevin

LegacyUser

Hey, thanks Kevin!
Hahah don't worry its not bad advice if its coming from someone thats been through it, its actually hopeful to hear!

I don't actually have any other social issues. Like I wouldn't be a self-conscience person really, and when it comes to going out meeting people making friends.. all that stuff is grand. I would say I can be a quiet person and can be shy in big groups of new people but its nothing... inflicting.
Its just those moments in the classroom, they just haunt me! I've no idea why
How long was it before you got over it?

Kevster

I'm 25 now but I only started feeling comfortable around 4 years ago when I started studying at IT Carlow (which is where I am now). I first studied at DIT but was pretty much the same there are I was in school. All I can say is to keep working away at the thoughts that you are just as important as the rest of them and that no-one has the right to shove you around. People are scared of authority. Like, if you're walking past a group of youngsters on the footpath, what you shouldn't do it look down to the ground because they will see that as a weakness and will make fun of you. What I do is keep my head high and give them a dismissing-type of look, and they are then ones who then look away.

Be tenacious and strong.