Hi

I have a big problem which is frustating me. I panic everytime it's to get to my turn to speak during meetings in our company. It starts even before the meeting begins especially when i know i will have to speak. The problem started when I first had to give a report once and a sudden panic gripped me from no where. Before that i was perfectly okay. However since then, it seems that everytime there is going to be a meeting i can't take off from my mind the fact that i am going to mess up again (i.e panic). The problem is not with what i have to talk about. It is with the panicking situation.

When meetings start the signs of the panic also starts. I try to stop it but it becomes worse. When i am called to speak my whole body reacts badly. My voice gets choked and i look like a scarecrow. I end up feeling embarrased after the meeting. Today i rejected a leadership role in the company so that i would not be called often to speak during our company meetings. What amuses me is that this problem only started after i had a first encounter. Now it keeps getting worse because i seem to panic even if i am speaking to only two persons in during a meeting. What is wrong with me!

HELP!. I feel this problem may never go away

Kaboraa,

This is something that I experienced for years.

What it boiled down to for me was basically 'doom and gloom' thinking. Rather than considering the positives that could come out of a meeting i found myself always focusing on the worst-case scenario. One negative though led to the next -- resulting in severe anxiety and a panic attack.

There is no easy way to work through this, but be assured, it can be done!

Here are some articles I recommend -- If nothing else, you can find some guidance that may eventually lead you to the answer:

The AWARE Method

Dealing with Panic Attacks

Mick