Public speaking causes terror in three out of four people, health experts say. The fear is so great many people simply avoid the situation and miss out on career promotion.
Regional News
March 23, 2008 06:38 AM
Public speaking is major trigger of social anxiety disorder, Queen's University professor says
Chris Traber
Nausea, panic, anxiety. Speechless horror. You know the feeling and you’re not alone.
If you’ve ever had to address an audience, chances are you’ve experienced the dread that ranks a close second only to death.
Glossophobia, or speech anxiety, is the fear of public speaking. The term comes from the Greek glossa, meaning tongue, and phobos, for fear.
While various phobias are prevalent, public speaking induces terror in three of four people, health experts contend.
“It’s huge,” Markham Stouffville Hospital staff psychiatrist and Queen’s University professor Dr. Mark Berber said. “Social anxiety disorder is one of the most common disorders and public speaking is a major trigger.”
The fear is so big, he added, many people simply avoid the situation and, in the end, miss out on career promotions.
“No one wants to make a fool of themselves or be thought a jackass,” Dr. Berber said. “That fear makes adrenaline course through your system. That stress induces the fight or flight reaction.”
Toastmasters International, the non-profit organization with 220,000 members in 90 countries, was the answer for Markham real estate salesperson Gordana Valois.
“I wanted to improve my presentations for work, but was afraid of public speaking since Grade 4,” she said. “After my first seminar, I felt horrible. I needed coaching.”
Ms Valois invested heavily in a private course.
“It did no good,” she said. “I heard about Toastmasters and went to a meeting. I was so nervous during my first speech that I could see my hair shaking. It was a horrific experience. I put my hair up for the next speech.”
Impressed with the low annual membership, supportive, paced instruction and mentoring, Ms Valois joined in 2005. Today, she’s president of the 47-member Markham Toastmasters Club.
She has also become a confident presenter.
“They helped me to think on my feet,” she said. “Fear has not entirely gone, but I know how to handle it.”
Jean Rennie, a member and mentor at the Unionville Toastmasters club, says the organization “definitely helps you overcome the fear of public speaking.
“Yes, you’ll still be nervous, but you learn to disguise it. I’ve been a member for 26 years and I’ve seen people come in absolutely terrified, then progress to competitions and other platforms.”
An educator and actressturned-speaker and presentation skills trainer, Kathryn Mackenzie joined Toastmasters in 2003 and earned Distinguished Toastmaster status in two years.
Creator of Panic to Power, a CD with simple and swift speaking strategies, she’s helped numerous executives overcome podium plight.
“Mark Twain said there are two kinds of speakers, those who are nervous and those who are liars,” she said. “It’s so true. I’ve seen people freeze. When that happens, you never regain control. Then it’s the domino effect and you lose your place and confidence.”
Scheduled to give a workshop in Richmond Hill April 3 before embarking on a speaking and training tour in Alaska, Ms MacKenzie encourages anyone with stage fright to consider Toastmasters or her brand of training.
“Toastmasters helped me find my voice,” she said. “Now, I teach others and make a living at it. They provide a supportive and encouraging environment. It’s continuous, cost-effective learning.”
One of the speaking secrets she imparts is to be conversational with the audience using a balance of content and delivery. That, she said, makes you and your audience comfortable.
“If you want to persuade and inspire people into action, you must know people are moved emotionally, not intellectually,” Ms MacKenzie said.
Fellow professional David Chilton, author of The Wealthy Barber, speaks at the Markham Theatre Speaker’s Showcase Wednesday evening. In terms of a fear of speaking, he’s the exception to the rule.
“I may be the wrong guy to ask about glossophobia,” he said with a chortle. “Ever since I was a kid, I never had anxiety. Speaking energizes me.”
Here are some Toastmasters and other speaking group locations near you:
• Aurora Toastasters, contact Brian Brennan, 905-727-5094, Dorothy McDonall 905-713-0025 or visit www.townsofyork.org
• Georgina/Simcoe Shores Toastmasters meet on the first, third and fifth Wednesdays of each month, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., at Belhaven Hall on Warden Avenue just north of Old Homestead.
• Newmarket Court of Blarney, www.courtofblarney.freetoasthost.org
• Markham’ Toastmasters Club, call 416-806-0955, or visit www.markhamtoastmasters.com online. Meetings are Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m., Markham Village Library.
• Unionville Toastmasters Club, 905-479-8348, or check out www.unionvilletoastmasters.com. Meetings are at Victoria Square Community Ventre, 2929 Elgin Mills Rd. East, Monday nights 7-9 p.m.
• Towns of York Toastmasters Club, online at www.townsofyork.org or call 905 727-8410. They meet 7 p.m. on second, fourth and fifth Wednesday of the month at Park Place Manor, 15055 Yonge Street, first floor.
• Georgina/Simcoe Shores Toastmasters meet on the first, third and fifth Wednesdays of each month, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., at Belhaven Hall on Warden Avenue just north of Old Homestead.
• Stouffville Toastmasters, www.stouffville.freetoasthost.org
• Talk of the Town Toastmasters, markham.freetoasthost.org
• Richmond Hill Toastmasters, contact Errol Cyrus, e-mail tp errolcy@yahoo.ca or visit www.richmondhill.freetoasthost.org
• Thornhill Toastmasters, e-mail len@modelmetrics.ca or roseh123@sympatico.ca and for membership inquiries, e-mail gerry@thornhilltoastmasters.com or visit www.thornhilltoastmasters.com
• Aurora Towns of York Toastmasters, contact Brian Brennan, 905-727-5094, Dorothy McDonall 905-713-0025 or visit www.townsofyork.org
• Newmarket Court of Blarney, www.courtofblarney.freetoasthost.org
• Toastmasters International, visit www.toastmasters.org for York Region club information
• Kathryn MacKenzie, go to www.kathrynmackenzie.com for speaker’s training and instructional CD information.
• Dr. Mark Berber’s Creating Inner Calm CD can be found at Chapters and Indigo, or visit www.chapters.indigo.ca and type in the CD name.
Tips for Public Speaking:
Believe in your message: Choose a topic about which you’re passionate. Having clarity and confidence in your message will make it much easier for you to relax.