What Happens in Stage Fright and Fear of Public Speaking

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Let me describe what happens in performance anxiety, fear of speaking in public and in stage fright.  Perhaps you will recognize some of this from your own experience.  As human beings, we have a very sensitive central nervous system, especially along the spinal column where we have several energy centers where nerves bundle together to create nerve ganglia. When we become the center of attention, powerful sensations and feelings get stirred in the Central Nervous System. The body is flooded with feelings, sensation and emotional intensity that can feel uncomfortable, maybe even out of control. 

We who have stage fright do not know how to contain and express that much emotional energy or passion. It often overwhelms us. It seems so out of control that we turn it against ourselves and shut ourselves down. To shut down the intensity, we shift energy and attention into our heads so we can avoid the bodily-felt sensations that are so uncomfortable.  We literally “go into our heads”. From the neck down, we tighten the body in order to freeze the flow of feelings. If the body gets tight enough, it will start to shake to try to re-establish flow of life force into the body parts that are too tense. 

When this “going into the head” happens, there is an inner split of attention.  The inner split is caused because the mind is judging the body and feelings as bad and wrong.  The mind wants to stay in control and look perfect, so the mental part of our human nature withdraws from the physical and emotional aspects. We feel split off from ourselves. In the split, we are no longer whole and integrated. This creates a kind of out of body experience. We sort of leave the body – in the sense that our attention can’t stay present in the body below the neck.  We feel spacey, ungrounded, not present.  

In this dis-integrated state, we can’t think clearly.  We can’t be effective. There is so much static inside our bodies that it distracts us from thinking clearly and from delivering the message, singing the song or sharing our ideas.  That is it.  That is what happens in stage fright, fear of public speaking and performance anxiety. In an upcoming post, I will discuss the antidote to stage fright.

74 Comments

  1. Here’s a personal story that will give comfort to anyone who experiences stage fright or fear of public speaking.

    Some years ago, I was asked to be master of ceremonies at a dinner in which legendary Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry was to give the keynote address. It was a fairly small gathering of about 300 people at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.

    Landry is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and he played and coached in some of the biggest games in the history of the NFL. Not only that, but as a 20-year-old bomber pilot during World War II, but he flew missions over Germany. He had been shot at. Now that can scare you!

    As he delivered his speech, I was privileged to sit directly next to the podium.

    What I saw really surprised me.

    Tom Landry was speaking to an audience that admired and probably even idolized him. There was no reason to be nervous in the least. In their eyes, he could do no wrong.

    Yet, from my seat less than three feet away, I could see Tom Landry palms sweating and his hands trembling as he read from a stack of index cards containing his notes. He was literally shaking.

    Like millions of other people, it seems Tom Landry was not immune to stage fright, or halophobia.

    After the dinner ended, I got up some courage and approached him. “Coach,” I said, “would you mind if I asked you a question about your speech?”

    “That’s fine,” he replied.

    “Do you get nervous when you have to make a speech.”

    Landry smiled. “Almost every time,” he replied

    “How do you overcome it” I asked.

    His response was memorable.

    “I remind myself of what I often told my players,” he said. “Walk through your fear with faith. And you never let the fear of failure become the cause of failure.”

    That’s certainly great advice from a great man for anyone who has to deal with a fear of public speaking.

    And by the way, next time you get a little nervous because you have to make a speech, remind yourself that if someone like Tom Landry can get stage fright, or halophobia, the rest of us certainly shouldn’t be ashamed if we do too.

  2. Thank you George for your story about Tom Landry! It is a great example to illustrate that stage fright is not about lack of excellence. Most people who experience stage fright are highly sensitive and full of passion they just don’t know how to express in front of others. Barbra Streisand is another example of a brilliant person who has had difficulty expressing in front of groups. It is helpful to learn that stage fright is not a symptom of something wrong with you, but a sign of something very right with you – you are sensitive and have deep emotions that can be used to give your gifts to the world. Your task is to learn to feel in front of others so you can share your gifts to make a difference.

  3. Thank you Sandra for your informative article. It’s good to know that even famous people can get stage fright. I love Tom Landry’s comment “Walk through your fear with faith. And you never let the fear of failure become the cause of failure.” and your comment about the task is for each of us to learn to feel in front of others so you can share your gifts to make a difference. I thank you again, I will use these in my future speaking.

  4. Hi Sandra, I got the link to your site from Ter Scott at http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/

    Your article is very informative. I think nearly everyone, at one point or another in their life has had a time where they were afraid to speak in public. When reading this, I found myself nodding and remembering having these feelings when speaking in public. Your article really did capture what happens when we have a fear of public speaking. Thank you for your this very helpful article. I will use it in the future.

  5. This article was really helpful. I always wondered why when I speak publicly my knee starts to jump around. It always shakes uncontrollably. I always thought there was something wrong with me, because I would get so nervous. I also have problems with pronouncing my words correctly. I know what I want to say in my head, but when I speak I feel like I am stuttering. My face always turns beat red, and my facial expressions show I’m not comfortable. I see what you mean about the outter body experience. It explains it perfectly. I am so glad to hear it’s the way your body reacts. How can you overcome those sensations through the body?

  6. Hi Sandra, I found your article very informative. It’s interesting to read about how stage fright actually develops in our bodies through the central nervous system.

  7. Hi Sandra,
    Ter sent me to your blog site. I can understand your article on stage fright, I think I have felt almost all of those feelings myself, sweaty palms, knees, shaking and a very shaky voice. It is nice to know that I’m not the only one that feels that way, and I continue to work on overcoming those feelings. Diane B.from Ter’s Oral Communications Summer Class

  8. i can understand those feelings, i felt them every time i was going to say something in public or just something to un-known people…but what is the antidote?…i think this specific fear, of talking in front of others, has to do with self-confidence, meaning that if you are not slef-confident enough and thinking about the other’s judjements, you cannot speak..and the worst thing is to feel so complicated and to hate yourself afterwards….what is your opinion about the fact that because of anxiety someone cannot speak?..words are stucked to throat, if you understant what i’m saying.. thank you for this informative article!!

  10. Hi Lynelle
    Singing is much harder than speaking because your whole body has to vibrate to sing. You can’t cover up in singing as you can in speaking. So glad this helped you understand it. Now you have to do it when you sing. Let your body shake when you sing so the energy of the sound vibration can go through. If you aren’t sure how to let that happen, I’d be happy to help you in a session or workshop. Best,
    Sandra

  11. Your article makes sense, and I can relate to this. The feeling of being overwhelmed and how you stated “We feel split off from ourselves.” The whole out of body experience, I don’t get stage fright if i’m performing in gymnastics meet or gaming in a horseshow in front of hundreds of people, the only time I seem to shut down is when I’m public speaking.

    I got this article from Ter Scott
    http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/

  13. I understand this energy shift your explaining. For me it’s more then not just the attention going to my head, it’s all the blood in my body going to my head also! I can feel comfortable about what I’m talking about or even who is around me, but when all eyes are on me, my face turns red and it is burning hot! This has been something that I think about and get myself worked up for everytime, and it happens…I guess I do it to myself.
    I got to this site through:
    http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/

  15. This article was so fascinating, and can definitely relate to have some of those things happen to me when I have that anxiety and fear. I never really knew all that happens within our bodies when we experience stage fright and anxiety. I liked the explanation of the static in our bodies, and how it all happens. I have experienced the shaky, and sweaty thing before, and it is interesting to see how that develops and happens. I got received this link from Ter Scott at http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/

  16. I am an online student of Ter Scott’s and when I have been frightened about public speaking it wasn’t so much that I felt spacey or anything like that, it was more of: “Let’s get this done and over with as soon as possible.” However, at work when it gets hectic, I feel light headed and sometimes even feel faint.

    Thanks for writing the article, so next time is how to combat it, correct?

    Heather Maciejeski

  17. I can definately relate to many of the feelings you mentioned in your article about fear of public speaking. The number one thing being feeling like you are having an out of body experience and feeling spacey. Whenever I have to speak in front of people I get through it but most of the time I don’t remember a word of what I said or even the fact that I just spoke! I got the link from Ter Scott at: http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/

  18. I think your article is very informative. I’ve never thought of stage fright in that way. I tend to have stage fright ever time I’m suppose to speak in front of people. My mind goes blank, I forget what I’m saying, and my hands tend to get sweaty and shake. I’m looking forward to reading your next article on how to battle stage fright. I got your link from Ter Scott at http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/

  19. When I get up to present something to a group of people I get shaky and start to sweat. Your article explained the why. And it’s also nice to read that famous people also get nervous when speaking to a group of people. Thanks

  20. First off, I agree that it is in out of body experience. Almost every time I give a speech or presentation I can feel that tingly, sort of hot sensation running through my body and then it’s like I am floating and I am not even a part of me. It is the strangest feeling in the world but only really happens when I am publicly speaking or am very nervous about something. I got this think from Ter Scott at http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/

  21. Thank you Sandy, wow, it is funny how our body works, or doesn’t work right when there is something different going on with us. It is nice to know that we are all in the same boat at some point and there is light at the end of the tunnel. Who knows, you might see our name as a speaker some time.
    Ter Scott sent me and I’m glad he did.

  22. I got this link from Ter Scott’s instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com. I find this article very interesting and it makes me want to print this and hand it to people expecting other people to get up and present something. Sometime it is physically not possible and our body actually rejects it. Obviously we have to get through this anxiety and in the end our bodies will feel alot better.
    Jennifer Borresch, Oral Communications

  23. I found this article very informative and interesting. I have never experience stage fright myself. I have always felt very comfortable in front of people…as long as I’m not talking about myself. That tends to make me a little nervous.

    I got this link from http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/

  24. I got this link from Ter Scott
    instandpublicspeaker.blogspot.com
    Oral Communications
    Tia Larson

    This article was exactly what a lot of us feel before a presentation, great information for all of us.
    Thank You

  25. I agree that the physical and the emotional side of ourselves seem much more in-tuned to everything around us when we are nervously giving a speech. I am thinking about how hot my body feels, how red my face is turning, how shaking I feel from nerves and adrenaline, and how my voice shakes as well when I am really nervous. I got this link from Ter Scott.

  26. I agree on what you said about stage fright. I really didn’t know that some of the most outstanding actor/actresses have this too. It is really good to know this. It’s seems like i myself just freeze up when I have to stand in front of a crowd.
    I got your link from Ter Scott @
    http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/
    thanks again
    Diane

  27. I have experienced some of that phenomena before. I can still remember the cold chill of sweat on the back of my neck, the tingling shiver running down my spine. Hopefully by the end of my moral communications course, I will be a much more relaxed public speaker, which will make me more effective. I got this link from Ter Scott’s blog.http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/

    Thanks. Mike Boone

  28. I have to say I when you break it down like that, giving a speech, singing, or doing anything in front of a crowd doesn’t seem so scary. I have anxiety when it comes to getting up in front of people and talking and I have to agree that you do feel seperated from your body and it feels wrong and scary. But knowing what you mentioned it makes it a lot easier.

    I got your article from http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/

  29. I have experienced the out-of-body feeling when standing up in front of other people and being the center of attention. It is good to know that I am not the only one who feels this way. I can not wait to read your next article, so I can find out the antidote. I got this link thru Ter Scott at:http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/
    Thank-you,
    Ostara

  30. It makes alot of sense that we get overwhelmed with everything happening to our bodies during stage fright. Our feelings get jumbled. That is usually my problem, I get so overwhelmed with feelings I don’t know whether I’m excited or I’m scared, or nervous, or confused. I’m glad I got this link from Ter Scott at hppt://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com it is very helpful

  33. Sandra, I really liked you article.I could visualize myself reacting that very same way so i agree with you that thats what happens and thats what you feel like.
    Ter Scott sent me

  34. Your article was very helpful to me in understanding performance anxiety. Knowing what happens to the body during performance anxiety helped me to understand why I fidget and freeze when speaking publicly. Thank you for this very helpful information. Ter Scott http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/ sent me to your blog

  36. I agree with all that was said in this article. I have tried speeking in front of a class and all those signs that you meation in this article I have had at times. I got this link from Ter Scott
    http:/instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/

  38. I have seen frist hand what the nerves do to sombody to totally agree that you are at a different state all over your body than you are in your head. I have seen someone get up to give a speech and because ill in a garbage can but after that gave one of the best speeches I have ever heard.

    I got this likn from Ter Scott at: http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/

  39. I really enjoyed reading your article. I know that when I sing in public that I almost always experience shaky hands, sweaty palms, and sometimes if I have never preformed a song my voice will wobble. I find that if I don’t look at the audience I am okay. So now with having to give speeches for my class this is causing me some anxiety, since for singing I could zone out the crowd and now I have to interact with the person or persons for my speeches. So your article made me realize that anyone can experience these feelings and that they are normal. I got your link from Ter Scott at http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/

  40. I really related to the “inner split” discussed in your article. Whenever I am really nervous, I feel like I don’t recognize or know myself and walk away wondering why I said something or not even remembering what I said. Its really interesting to read the explanation for this and I am looking forward to reading your article on the antidote! I got your link from Ter Scott at http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/.

  41. I agree that everyone has stage fright. I think it is hard not to, everyone must be a little nervous. We think too hard about things sometimes and we never come to realize it’s not as bad as it seems, until it’s all over and then we think “hey that wasn’t that bad.” If only we could have these thoughts before going on stage to either perform or give a speech, life would be a lot easier, but not everybody gets an easy button.
    I got this link from Ter Scott at: http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/

  43. That sounds like a lot is going on when a person becomes nervous. I sang a song for out graduating class on graduation day. I was never in choir, and was in band for two years 8th and 9th grade. Everyone knows that I have never sang in front of an audience before. At the homecoming dance couple months before, a person said, “it would be cool to get someone new to sing at our graduation that usually isn’t a ‘singer’,” so my thoughts in my head grabbed the best of me. I had a song that fit the event perfectly in my head. I grabbed enough courage and fought for a place to do the solo song at graduation. I succeeded. Now this was something totally new for me. I worked with the choir teacher to get my song ready. I thought I had it down pat. Turns out I was wrong. That day we practiced our songs. The other three people had no problem playing their guitar or just singing. When it came to me, I was not ready what so ever. The afternoon comes and its time to sing. We are called up on stage and luckily I was not the first one to go. I was second. Yikes! He finishes up. Now, its my turn. I made it up to the mike, and the piano started playing. I hit the first three lines of the song which is usually the easiest, I ran cold on the fourth line. I forgot the words. My body froze for a second and I had to look at the piano player. She starts mouthing the words to me and for that second I felt the stage fright. After she mouthed half the 5th line of the song to me I was back on track and feeling great. Made it through the rest of the song and the audience cheered me on back to my seat. The principal made a comment about everyone’s not perfect and everyone makes mistakes. After doing something that grand, for the first time, in front of an audience, it was a huge booster for my future. Now I am able to talk in front of anyone, anytime it’s just the wording part that gets me now. Thanks for a great blog and sorry my comment was so long. As Ter Scott say, “Make it a great day!”

    Ter Scott http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/ sent me to your blog

  45. I have felt myself tigntening from the neck down when I am tring to speak in plublic. It feels good to know why this is happening to me.I can’t wait for the antidote

  46. Sandra~

    I must say that this is exactly what happens to me when I get nervous before any big event. I feel like I am going to shake right out of my body. I have found from my past experiences, if I keep thinking positively and breathing techniques to relax my mind and body, and keep reminding myself that I can be successful in giving a speech.
    This is the most uncomfortable feeling when you are showing physical signs that you are nervous; such as shaking, sweating, and red in the face. It almost at times seems like you may be coming down with the flu.
    This is when I would try to use my relaxation breathing techniques, that I have learned to use that helps with my anxiety disorder.

    I found that this article is very useful to me and I will be looking for additonal information on how to help overcome this battle of being nervous before a public speech.

    Thank you so much Sandra,

    I got the link from: http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/ by Ter Scott.

  47. Thanks for the informative blog. It’s nice to know what is actually happening. When I have to make a presentation, this happens so quickly that I don’t have time to think about what is physically happening, I just know what I’m feeling at that time.

    I got the link from: http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com/ by Ter Scott.

    Brigitte

  50. This article was very informative to me. As someone who suffers greatly from stagefright and anxiety, this article helped to put the physical response in to perspective. It was very interesting to learn that there is a true reaction, not me being crazy.
    I got this link from Ter Scott at http://instantpublicspeaker.blogspot.com

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