How to stop shakes, public speaking/performance?

Eoin247

Wondering if anybody here can relate to this and tell me how to get over it.

So basically i find i nigh on impossible to speak or perform (say play an instrument) properly in public. All because i shake like crazy when i do it.

The strange thing is i'm not nervous about my ability to do what i do well. My mind doesn't go blank with speaking, i know i can play my piece well on my instrument, and i'm good at answering questions posed by the audience. The problem is, and always has been, my shaking!

Literally as soon as i start to speak or perform in front of a crowd, my hands and feet shake like crazy and i can't stop it! I've often been told '' That'll go away naturally after a while''/ ''When you get older it won't be as bad''. I've performed and spoke publically many times, and it still hasn't gone away. People out of politeness don't mention it to me, but i have been told several times about the shakiness.

It annoys the hell out of me because i simply cannot progress in the things i love to do. I would love to debate and play my instrument in front of crowds, but my shaking causes my speech to sound weak and my playing to sound crude.

Any advice would be appreciated. In particular from anybody who has gone through the same sort of thing.

Thanks!

Frank Lee Midere

Is that to begin with or later. Does your heart race?

Some musicians use beta blockers. A lot of people get the shakes when starting to speak or perform. Getting over the first few minutes are key.

retro:electro

Could it be a central nerves system condition? Often they go undiagnosed. My friend has this condition and whenever she has to do presentations no matter how confident she is, she shakes uncontrollably and it also effects her speech too.

Eoin247

Frank Lee Midere wrote: »

Is that to begin with or later. Does your heart race?

Some musicians use beta blockers. A lot of people get the shakes when starting to speak or perform. Getting over the first few minutes are key.

I've often been told to just get over the first few minutes, but it happens for literally the entire length of my speech/performance. What are beta blockers? Are they prescription meds?

anna080 wrote: »

Could it be a central nerves system condition? Often they go undiagnosed. My friend has this condition and whenever she has to do presentations no matter how confident she is, she shakes uncontrollably and it also effects her speech too.

I have no idea, every time i bring it up with family, teachers etc, i get told that it just takes practice and that's all. They talk as if you get over it after your first few times. But i've been doing these things for years and have had no progress.

It frustrates me so much when i see people who are nervous as hell beforehand but can still get up and speak without much if any shaking. And then there's the people who have spoken/performed far less than me and are still able to get up and not shake.

Merkin

Have you heard of Toastmasters OP? I've heard wonderful things about it and it's specifically geared towards people like you.

http://www.dublintoastmasters.ie/section/about

Nichololas

Eoin247 wrote: »

I've often been told to just get over the first few minutes, but it happens for literally the entire length of my speech/performance. What are beta blockers? Are they prescription meds?



I have no idea, every time i bring it up with family, teachers etc, i get told that it just takes practice and that's all. They talk as if you get over it after your first few times. But i've been doing these things for years and have had no progress.

It frustrates me so much when i see people who are nervous as hell beforehand but can still get up and speak without much if any shaking. And then there's the people who have spoken/performed far less than me and are still able to get up and not shake.

Beta blockers are prescription meds, they generally stop the physical symptoms of anxiety (tremors, sweating, etc) and also reduce anxiety. I used them for my thesis presentation, and while they kind of helped with the physical side of things I was still panicing in my head.

I've been where you are - I actually failed courses in college because I was too stressed and nervous about presenting (especially for the important ones), and I'd start to feel anxious about it from about a week before.

I have actually managed to overcome it though (I'm actually speaking at a seminar in about 2 hours, I should be going through my slides now!).

What worked for me was firstly preparing a script for each presentation and learning it off (obviously, only works if you're speaking, not playing an instrument). This only kind of works though, but even if you're nervous you can just stick to rote memory and drone through it. It did help me get over the first hump of stress about it though, and just making sure I started preparing for it a week in advance also helped with reducing anxiety.

Secondly, just generally trying to reduce anxiety in other areas of my life through exercise, mindfulness (and some CBT techniques) helped improve things.

Thirdly, just gaining more experience speaking to groups of people. If you manage your anxiety about it your body'll (eventually) realize that it's not under threat and you won't get such a strong fight-or-flight stress respones. It does take time though.

endacl

Stay away from beta blockers unless you need them for a medical condition OP. Or have a couple of bananas half an hour before zero hour. Nature's beta blockers! Full of potassium.

On a (possibly) more helpful note, exposure is your friend. Performance is not a natural position to put yourself in, and your body reacts appropriately. Get out and do it as much as you can. The feeling doesn't go away so much as it becomes familiar, if that makes sense?

elephant85

Or how about taking acting lessons.. A friend of mine who had a similar issue to you started acting classes. She has found them great.. and good fun too!

dilallio

I too have the same issue - if I'm at a work meeting or conference, I can't even hold a cup & saucer and as for public speaking - my mind would be fine until the tremors start, and then I would become so self-conscious of my shaking that I would lose my concentration.

First of all, your GP can prescribe something other than beta-blockers which are very effective in controlling these tremors - I have them and only take them a couple of hours before I have to present.

The hard part is to try and involve yourself in a group like Toastmasters or even an amateur dramatic group where you might take on a very minor roll with just a couple of speaking-lines. The first time you do it is the worst, but the key is practice. After 2 or 3 performances, I promise you that you will get a real confidence-boosting kick from it. Don't let one bad performance put you off - your biggest critic will be yourself!

Good luck.

Frank Lee Midere

Guys. I think eoin is an experienced presenter so his condition can't be put down to lack of practice.

retro:electro

Frank Lee Midere wrote: »

Guys. I think eoin is an experienced presenter so his condition can't be put down to lack of practice.

How do you know?

FAILSAFE 00

The body mustn't be relaxed. I am guessing breathing techniques would help. Are you taking in a lot of caffeine?

I had mild shaking when I started presentations but that subsided when I relaxed more.

Are you nervous, apprehensive before an event? Not regarding your ability but about how you'll be perceived.

When was the very first time you noticed it ever?

Under what conditions do you not shake - friends, family watching you etc

Are you trying to suppress the shaking while speaking and playing? I'd say this wouldn't help with relaxing the body.

When does the shaking start? 1 minute before hand, 2 minutes, the very second you start?

Frank Lee Midere

anna080 wrote: »

How do you know?

He said it twice. Are people seriously offering advice by not reading his posts?

Wurly

I deal with fears surrounding public speaking. The link to my website is below.