So, I did my speech on social anxiety disorder… I started shaking, really freaking out, then I guess some words in there struck too hard—I started crying. Like almost the whole time. I made an example of how I experience S.A. by saying “speeches make me anxious”. I needed laughing to make things better. :P
So, with all those positives, “that was really good Emily.” or “brave”, or “amazing” “I couldn’t have done it in the same circumstances”… My favorite was the guy that sorta related- who had general anxiety disorder.
Worst and Best speech ever, combined! lol.
Thank goodness I have the option to just do the next speech in front of the teacher. YAY!
One thing to note is that even when you had what felt to you were severe symptoms of anxiety, there wasn't any explicit negative judgments from the audience. In fact, it sounds like most people were supportive and or sympathizing. Giving your presentation to the teacher might sound like a good option, but that's only going to reinforce your anxiety. You've handled it in the past so now you can handle it again. I encourage you to change your teacher's mind and go for it again, and this time try to (I know it's hard with adrenaline) but try to identify a safety behavior you engage in and try to drop it next time.
ReplyDeleteI have considered changing my mind (because he offered either or) but as beautiful of an opportunity it is, my current wellness is pretty low. I'm very very tired and anxious currently for 3 weeks straight. My thoughts on the situation is that it's possible that no one felt critical and I know many were in awe. It was a positive thing, maybe not for last week; but in the long run. I appreciate your thoughts, but I think this exposure is not a good option right now, if I had less assignments and stress, again very stressed out, I would. and I'm not my usual stressed out, it's terrible.
ReplyDeleteand as a side note: I actually don't consider it my worst speech experience really just one with the most symptoms... Part of why it was the best: I MADE EYE-CONTACT. I didn't just read straight from the cards (mostly). I made an effort to put feeling in my words. I was loud enough. I made jokes appropriately. I even moved! I moved! The whole time up there my focus wasn't crap I'm crying it was "lets get through this, you've practiced" My focus was mainly on the presentation and working to use GOOD ways to calm myself. I'm pretty proud of myself and I believe in myself more. :)
ReplyDeleteYes that's directly attacking your core beliefs, when you're able to make contact. Anxiety is basically a tendency to avoid things from the rational that they are harmful. So when you purposely force your mind to encounter these situations and you don't have reinforcing stimuli, eventually your mind drops the anxiety association with this stimulus.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it's very important to get that "lack of negative stimuli" otherwise your brain will generate the usual maintaining beliefs. So yes eye contact and realizing that you're able to handle negative evaluation from the audience is essential to overcoming the anxiety.