Overcome Your Performance Fears

PerformanceAnxiety.com shares research & solutions for public speakers, actors, musicians, students, athletes & any high-level performer who wants to perform at their best in the spotlight!

Recent Articles

Atenolol for Anxiety - what you need to know

Atenolol for Anxiety – What You Need to Know

Atenolol, commonly sold under the brand name Tenormin, is a commonly prescribed pharmaceutical beta-blocker. Beta blockers (beta-adrenergic blocking agents) are traditionally prescribed to help with heart conditions, angina, arrhythmia, etc. Many professional musicians use beta-blockers like Atenolol off-script to help with their stage fright and performance anxiety, as beta blockers essentially help the user steady their heart rate and block the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream. Here we look at what Atenolol is exactly, examine it’s effectiveness against anxiety symptoms, and see if Atenolol is effective for anxiety.

Glossophobia or the Fear of Public Speaking

Overcoming Glossophobia (Fear of Public Speaking)

Depending on which survey you analyze; Glossophobia (or ‘Fear of Public Speaking’) is the second or first biggest fear of adult Americans. What’s strange is that this phobia of public speaking just doesn’t effect some people at all, while for others it can be a crippling fear that significantly impacts their life. In this article we look at what Glossophobia is, why it effects some and not others, and share several techniques to overcome glossophobia and defeat your fear of public speaking.

Natural Beta Blocker Alternatives for Anxiety

10 Natural Beta Blocker Alternatives For Anxiety

Beta-blockers are commonly used by performers (musicians, public speakers, athletes, etc) off script to help with stage fright symptoms. Here we look at how beta-blockers work, what the side-effects are and uncover several natural alternatives to beta blockers that performers who are worried about beta blocker side-effects can use.

How to Overcome Audition Anxiety

How to Calm Audition Nerves & Overcome Audition Anxiety

Almost all actors & performers have experienced audition nerves. Here we look at why you feel anxious during your auditions and reveal several strategies for overcoming audition anxiety, including one technique borrowed from George Clooney.

How the singer Adele manages her stage fright

How Adele Manages Her Stage Fright

We recently came across an interesting story about how the singer Adele manager her stage fright & anxiety so that she can perform on stage in front of thousands when she’s on tour. Read on to find out how Adele uses an alter-ego to overcome her crippling stage fright.

Propranolol vs Metoprolol for Performance Anxiety - which is best?

Propranolol vs Metoprolol for Anxiety: Which Beta Blocker is better for Anxiety?

Propranolol (commonly sold under the brand name Inderal) and Metoprolol (commonly sold as Lopressor) are both beta blockers designed to block the effects of adrenergic hormones, and are prescribed to treat various heart conditions. However, beta blockers like propranolol and metoprolol are also used off-script to prevent anxiety symptoms. We look at which beta blocker is most effective against performance anxiety symptoms.

How to overcome stage fright - a complete guide

Overcoming Stage Fright: A Complete Guide

Anyone who has ever felt the fear and overwhelming experience that comes with performing on stage or in front of a large audience will have asked themselves “how can I get over this stage fright?” at some point. Here we uncover several exercises that can help you overcome stage fright & performance anxiety.

Beta Blockers for Anxiety: Guide

Beta-Blockers for Performance Anxiety & Social Anxiety: The Facts

Beta Blockers like Propranolol, Atenolol and Metoprolol are commonly used by musicians and other performers to stay calm during their performances. We look at what beta blockers are, how they work against anxiety & stage fright and determine if there are any side effects. We also look at alternatives to beta blockers and determine if there are other ways to remedy anxiety symptoms.

The best Performance Anxiety & Stage Fright books to help you with your fears

The Best Performance Anxiety & Stage Fright Books

We investigate the best performance anxiety & stage fright books for high level performers. Covering classics like ‘In The Spotlight’ and ‘Speak With No Fear’, if you’re a high level performer who suffers from stage fright, these books can help you.

The Science of Stage Fright - how to understand & conquer stage fright

The Science of Stage Fright: How to Understand & Conquer Stage Fright

If you feel like you’re trapped by your stage fright, paralyzed by fear before going up on stage, giving a speech, approaching that attractive guy/gal while out walking, or at any point; then this guide is for you. We look at using a scientific approach to understanding & conquering stage fright.

See All Articles

Created to help you overcome your performance fears and shine in the spotlight!

PerformanceAnxiety.com was originally started by Janet Esposito (MSW, LCSW) in 1999 to help people who have a fear of public speaking or performing through her publications, workshops and personal coaching. More than 20 years later, this website has grown to be the main resource for anybody who needs to perform in high-anxiety situations. We help readers learn about stage fright, social anxiety & performance anxiety so that they can overcome their fears and perform at their best in any situation.
Learn more about PerformanceAnxiety.com here...

PerformanceAnxiety.com can help if you:

  • Have an immediate surge of fear when you learn you need to do public speaking or performing
  • Attempt to avoid giving presentations or performances because of performance anxiety
  • Suffer from a lot of anticipatory anxiety thinking about your presentation or performance ahead of time
  • Experience stage fright and feel very self-conscious being "in the spotlight"
  • Suffer constantly from Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and related conditions
  • Worry about embarrassing yourself in front of others, fearful that people will see how anxious you are and that you will lose credibility and respect
  • Feel a lot of inner turmoil and have missed opportunities because of this fear

Get started by looking through our performance anxiety guides, covering topics from diagnosing your performance anxiety through to our reccomended exercises, products and medications that can help you overcome your anxities & stage fright. Our blog also contains a lot of helpful articles about everything related to performance anxiety.

What is Performance Anxiety?

Performance anxiety is the fear someone experiences before and/or during a specific type of performance. When someone has performance anxiety, they might fear that the performance will be a failure even if they are well prepared.

Often, the fear is tied to the potential humiliation or rejection that might result from a failed performance. And although performance anxiety can exist around any type of task, it is usually more prevalent among people that have to perform under pressure.

Musical performers, actors, public speakers, and professional athletes are some of the professions where performance anxiety is common. This is why performance anxiety is also known as stage fright. To learn more about what performance anxiety is, including what the symptoms and causes are, take a look at our What is Performance Anxiety article.

Glossophobia, or 'Fear Of Public Speaking'

Did you know that Glossophobia, the medical term for a fear of public speaking, is said to be the number one fear reported in surveys of American adults, topping such fears as the fear of flying, financial problems, sickness, and even death?

Fear of public speaking is reported to be the number one fear of American adults, with many people experiencing tremendous suffering because of it. This fear often takes a huge toll on peoples' effectiveness in the workplace and in other settings as it stops them from fully expressing their thoughts and ideas in front of others. This fear afflicts not only the timid and socially anxious, but also those who are otherwise seen as confident and outgoing. Many people go to great lengths to avoid speaking up in front of groups, either formally or informally, or they are less effective if they do speak up.

A parallel fear exists for people working in the performing arts and entertainment fields, such as singers, musicians, actors, and actresses. Even very talented and accomplished performers may suffer from intense performance anxiety and feel tremendous fear when anticipating or giving performances (or they may avoid performances altogether).

While a mild level of performance anxiety is perfectly normal when one is called upon to speak or perform in public, many people suffer from a much higher level of fear and dread. They may experience symptoms of panic, such as heart palpitations, rapid breathing, sweating, trembling or shaking, feeling dizzy, unsteady or lightheaded, feeling detached, and feeling a loss of control over their ability to manage the fear. They may also experience blushing or heat surges, sweating, difficulty concentrating, and thought blocking. Often they experience intense anticipatory anxiety prior to the speaking or performance event, sometimes days, weeks, or months ahead of time.

This fear strongly affects an individual's professional life and prospects for career advancement. Many people have given up professional opportunities for advancement if the new position calls for more public speaking or public performance. Some people have left a job or have not gone on for higher education to avoid facing their fear. There is clearly much lost potential for individuals, and for society, due to this fear.

Having this fear also takes a big toll on the person's self-confidence and self-esteem, as many people feel embarrassed and ashamed to have such a fear. They may try to keep their fear hidden as much as possible, though they are often afraid of being "found out." They are often intensely uncomfortable and self-conscious with being "in the spotlight" and having others focus attention on them.

A deep fear associated with public speaking or performing is the fear of embarrassment and negative evaluation by others. Many people feel terrified of making a fool of themselves in front of others and fear that people will view them as inadequate in some way. There is often a fear of harsh judgment from others, and a fear of loss of credibility and respect if others find out just how afraid they are. Many people who suffer this fear tend toward perfectionism and are afraid to make mistakes. They are afraid to let others see their fear and vulnerability, fearful of not being seen as strong and in control.

While a person can often successfully avoid situations that require public speaking or performing, the avoidance behavior itself actually worsens the fear. The person comes to believe that he or she cannot handle speaking or performing situations and that avoidance is the only solution. While the avoidance initially provides a feeling of great relief, it erodes the person's confidence and belief in him or herself and thus greatly limits and constricts the person's life choices.

If you can relate to the feelings and experience of someone who has stage fright, please know that you have come to the right place to get help! This website is dedicated to revealing a range of methods to help ease and lessen your performance anxiety so you no longer feel controlled by this fear.

You do not have to suffer any longer from this fear. I hope to hear from you soon so I can help you find the solutions you are looking for to address this incredible challenge in your life.