Can you learn to speak in public with Glossophobia?
Ed Darling
9 min read
What you’ll learn:
- What glossophobia is, and how it differs from normal nerves.
- Proven therapies, techniques, and self-help strategies to overcome glossophobia.
- Practical steps to build unshakeable confidence in public speaking.
Glossophobia — The Fear Of Public Speaking
If the thought of speaking in front of a crowd makes your heart race or your palms sweat, you’re not alone.
Glossophobia, the fear of public speaking, affects up to 77% of people in the UK. For some, it’s a mild case of butterflies; for others, it’s a paralysing fear that feels like a life-or-death moment.
Unlike everyday nerves, glossophobia is defined by a “persistent and excessive fear” of speaking to groups. It might stem from a childhood embarrassment, a bad experience as an adult, or a slow buildup of anxiety that spirals out of control.
Left unchecked, glossophobia tends to worsen, trapping you in a cycle of avoidance and dread.
The good news? You can overcome glossophobia and transform public speaking anxiety into authentic confidence.
In this post, we’ll explore what glossophobia is, how it differs from other anxieties, and actionable steps to conquer it — based on proven strategies and my own experience helping countless speakers find their voice.
Glossophobia, Social Anxiety, or Just Nerves?
Not every shaky moment before a presentation means you have glossophobia. The definitions can be a little fuzzy, but here’s a rough break down:
Glossophobia: A specific phobia where the fear is laser-focused on public speaking. You might be fine in casual conversations or one-on-one meetings, but standing up to address a group triggers intense panic.
Symptoms like blushing, sweating, a trembling voice, dry mouth, or uncontrollable shaking can be intensely felt — sometimes before you even step on stage.
Social Anxiety: This is a broader problem, affecting multiple social situations. From phone calls to office parties, someone with social anxiety might feel overwhelmed in any setting involving interaction.
They may avoid these scenarios, self-medicate with alcohol, or grit their teeth to get through.
Normal Nerves: Everyone gets butterflies when stepping outside their comfort zone. These nerves usually fade once you start speaking or gain experience. Unlike glossophobia, they don’t hijack your body with debilitating symptoms.
For those with glossophobia, the fear doesn’t fade over time, instead, it intensifies. It often leads people to become avoidant: ducking out of presentations, and doing anything to *not* have to face an audience.
Why Glossophobia Feels So Overwhelming
Glossophobia isn’t just a “mental fear”, it’s a very real (and often overwhelming) physical reaction.
When you’re about to speak, your brain’s fight-or-flight response kicks in, flooding your body with adrenaline. This can cause:
- A racing heartbeat.
- Shaky hands, arms, or legs.
- A voice that quivers or goes quiet.
- Difficulty breathing or a tight throat.
- Excessive sweating or blushing.
These symptoms can come on quickly and without warning, turning simple meetings into a nightmare. People often become more self-conscious, waiting for their anxiety symptoms to kick in, and developing a “fear of the fear”.
Avoiding public speaking might feel like a relief, but it reinforces the fear, making it harder to break free.
So, how do you overcome glossophobia and reclaim your voice?
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Therapies and Treatments for Glossophobia
There are several ways to tackle glossophobia, from professional therapies to self-help strategies.
Here’s the most common:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT helps reframe negative thought patterns, teaching you to challenge irrational fears about public speaking. It’s effective for some but can take time.
Personal note: I never got much relief from doing CBT. Changing my thoughts felt like a surface approach to a deeper problem.
Exposure Therapy: Gradually facing your fear in controlled settings can desensitize you to public speaking anxiety. This might start with speaking to a small, supportive group and build from there.
Personal note: For me, this was absolutely key. I attended classes, workshops, and threw myself into all kinds of exposing scenarios. Controlled exposure is core to our speaker training.
Social Skills Training: This focuses on building communication skills to boost confidence in social settings, which can spill over into public speaking.
Personal note: Skill acquisition is another core part of our training. Developing your competence naturally leads to confidence.
Medication: Some turn to anti-anxiety medications to manage symptoms, but research shows limited long-term success for glossophobia specifically. I’ve never recommended this.
For many, self-help is the most accessible and empowering route. Joining a public speaking course, or working with a coach, can provide guided exposure and practical tools.
I’ve seen firsthand how these approaches transform nervous speakers into confident communicators — myself included!
5 Proven Steps to Overcome Glossophobia
Overcoming glossophobia isn’t about “just getting over it.” It’s about rewiring your brain and building skills through intentional, guided practice.
Here are five steps we use in our public speaking courses to help you conquer the fear of public speaking:
1. Shift Your Focus Outward
Glossophobia often traps you in a cycle of self-consciousness, where you obsess over your racing heart or shaky voice. This inward focus amplifies anxiety and blinds you to your audience’s positive reactions.
Our training teaches you to redirect your attention to your audience. Through exercises in eye contact, vocal variety, and body language, you’ll learn to connect with listeners instead of fixating on your fears.
This shift creates a positive feedback loop, boosting your confidence as you see your audience engage.
2. Reframe Your Self-Image
Many glossophobia sufferers develop a distorted view of themselves as speakers, assuming they look awkward or sound terrible. The truth?
You’re often far more composed than you feel. We use video feedback in a safe, supportive environment to show you how you really come across.
Watching yourself speak — paired with constructive feedback and group encouragement — helps dismantle negative self-perceptions and builds a confident self-image.
3. Ditch Safety Behaviours
Safety behaviours, like clutching a pen, crossing your arms, or rushing through your speech, feel like lifelines but keep you stuck.
They signal to your brain that public speaking is dangerous, reinforcing anxiety. In our coaching, we identify and eliminate these crutches. You’ll practice speaking without props or scripts, building confidence that comes from within, no matter the setting.
4. Embrace Voluntary Exposure
Forced exposure — like being told to give a last-minute presentation — can worsen anxiety. But choosing to face your fear is empowering.
Research shows voluntary exposure reduces the power of phobias, whether it’s holding a spider or stepping on stage. Joining a public speaking course is a bold, voluntary step.
By signing up, showing up, and practicing in a supportive group, you take control of your fear. Each small victory chips away at glossophobia’s grip.
5. Build Long-Term Confidence
Overcoming glossophobia isn’t just about surviving one speech — it’s about thriving in any speaking scenario. Our courses combine mindset shifts, practical skills, and repeated practice to make confidence second nature.
You’ll learn to see public speaking as an opportunity, not a threat.
Why Public Speaking Is Your Secret Weapon
Glossophobia may feel like a curse, but public speaking is a unique opportunity to grow.
Mastering it doesn’t just silence your fears — it unlocks confidence that ripples through your personal and professional life.
I’ve watched nervous speakers become captivating orators, transforming their careers and self-esteem in the process.
With the right guidance, you can break free from the fear of public speaking. Whether through a public speaking course, one-on-one coaching, or small, intentional steps, overcoming glossophobia is within your reach.
When you're ready, here's how to work with me...
Coaching Programme: Follow a proven system to build confidence, find your charisma, and step-up as a speaker in your niche.
1-Day Masterclass: Learn everything you need in 1 day to face your fears, and begin speaking with confidence.
Corporate Team Training: Bring confident communication to your team. Team workshops, events talks, and leadership training.