We all experience 'butterflies' before a public speaking engagement. It's natural. But how do you deal with far more severe signs of anxiety? Many people are terrified of public speaking - not just anxious, but scared to the point of nausea.

Public speaking anxiety is one of the most common problems we are asked about at Confidence Club. It's natural, in part because we all have an instinctive fear of being exposed to a crowd. This will often trigger a mild physiological response - trembling muscles, dry mouth, wavering voice etc - and for most people, it remains a small but manageable problem. Sometimes the symptoms are stronger than normal, and this can become a cycle, which follows this pattern :

1. You feel anxious about making a speech (this is natural)

2. You experience physiological signs - dry mouth, trembling muscles, tunnel vision etc etc. These are also natural, and experienced to a greater or lesser degree by most people

3. These signs increase the anxiety and make you highly self-conscious

4. You feel that your nervousness is communicated to the people in the room

5. Your memory of the event is one of embarrassment

6. You approach your next engagement with a heightened sense of anxiety, because of 1-5 above

Sound familiar? If you suffer from extreme public speaking anxiety, there are two facts you should consider :

1. It's not unusual

2. This problem can be successfully treated with hypnotherapy

Many people feel ashamed that they find public speaking difficult. Don't be ashamed - this is an extremely common problem. It doesn't reflect on your intelligence, your professionalism or your mental toughness that you react in this way - it's more a reflection on your history, and the accidental and random processes which serve to define us. You can break this cycle very successfully, and when you do, it will turn into a virtuous cycle. Because every successful, happy experience you have will reinforce your self belief, making it easier to succeed in future.

So if you're struggling with public speaking nerves, find a qualified, registered hypnotherapist in your area and sign up for a short course of therapy. It may turn out to be the best investment you've ever made.