I start getting anxious when I know that I will be in a meeting, or classroom situation where I will be asked to speak. I worry about it so much, I can't even concentrate on the subject the group is discussing. I start wishing I could just run out of the room. What bothers me the most about public speaking, is the fact that everybody is looking at me while I am talking. It is as though I can feel their eyes on me.

I do much better in situations where I have a visual aid to point to when discussing things in front of a group...as though to draw their eyes away from me, and on to something else. Ultimately, I feel pretty comfortable if I interject a thought into the conversation on my own...but when called upon to do so, I feel trapped. Also, if I can make a short statement of a sentence or two, I am fine -- but when I have to explain something, or read out loud - basically any speech longer than 30 seconds or so, that is when I start to panic and get the 'flight response'.

I am just starting to address my problem of public speaking. I am a senior in college and have always dropped classes that require oral presentations. My major ironically is communications, emphasis on advertising, and I am ready to face and conquer this fear before I go crazy. Now that I am a senior there is no way to avoid classes that I have to present advertising campaigns on a regular basis. I have to give a brief speech this Monday that is in front of the class and I am terrified. I was trying to figure out how to arrange my schedule to avoid taking this class semester, but now I am going to stick with it and face this crazy fear. I do not know who is going to read this but if anybody has any information or advice, I would greatly appriciate it. I have heard that I should think of something to make me angry, because that blocks the adrenaline from flowing or something like that. Oh well, I am willing to try anything at this point.