Public speaking panic attacks can be very uncomfortable. Most people get nervous at the thought of speaking in public, but they do not suffer from a full blown panic attack because of it.
Panic attacks can be brought on by the surroundings and circumstances, and public speaking can be a very common trigger. If you start to suffer from an attack while in front of a crowd, there are a few things you can do right away to try and minimize the attack. Concentrate and focus on making your breathing deeper and slower, because one of the main symptoms of a panic attack, besides the anxiety, is shallow rapid breathing, which can lead to dizziness or even passing out.
Public speaking panic attacks can be debilitating, keeping you from your full potential and making it hard to get ahead. There is help and treatments available that will help you conquer this condition, and your first stop should be your doctor. There are some medical conditions that can be similar to panic attacks, so your physician may want to do some tests to make sure you do suffer from panic or anxiety attacks and not something else. Sometimes you may be referred to a psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor, to help you work on any issues that may be contributing to the attacks. Your doctor can be a very valuable resource and can help you examine the many treatment options to find the ones that will work for you. Not being able to speak in public can hold you back and keep you from getting a promotion at work.
Public speaking panic attacks can be stopped with the use of sedatives, such as Valium and similar drugs, but these substances will slow down your thought process, making it harder to focus and stay on thoughts. If your doctor does prescribe any of these medications, it is very important that you do not take more than directed, or take the medicine more often than you should. Some people find these medications helpful for fast and efficient relief when a panic attack occurs, but therapy, both group and individual, should be done as well to eliminate any underlying causes of these attacks.
