Fear of shaking in public: why it appears and how to fix it
The fear of shaking in public is a problem for many people . Although intuitively we usually link this phenomenon with shyness or insecurity, reality is a bit more complex. Let's see why some people tremble when speaking in public and what can be done about it to solve it.
- Related article: "The 10 keys to overcome shyness once and for all"
Differences between introversion, shyness and social phobia
In the first place, it should be noted that social phobia is not the same as shyness or introversion.
Introversion has to do with the temperament of the person. When a person is introverted, he likes to be in quiet areas, with few people, he needs solitude more than extroverts and it consumes them to be in places with too much stimulation or people, so, even though they like and they need social contact, they get more tired and need to dose. Further, When they are at social events, they tend to be more observant and quiet .
On the other hand, shyness is the feeling of insecurity or shame that people feel in certain situations, especially social or new. It can make it difficult for the person to be exposed to these situations and to engage in conversations or meet people. In addition, it usually entails a certain degree of anxiety, which differentiates it from introversion.
A person can be introverted and not shy, he may prefer to be with small groups, but not because the idea of being with people supposes anxiety, but because he prefers it.
As for social phobia, this is about intense fear of possible evaluation by other people . There is a fear of being negatively evaluated or being exposed for some reason; Generally, because they can notice the physiological symptoms of that anxiety. It is very similar to shyness, but it is usually much more crippling, more extreme and usually manifests more promptly.
- Maybe you're interested: "What is anxiety: how to recognize it and what to do"
Tremors for anxiety: why do they occur?
Once this distinction is made, we are going to focus on one particular aspect, the tremors and the fear that these are perceived . Generally we know the fear to speak in public and we know of people who fear sweating, turning red ... but something that we usually do in situations where we feel anxiety, be it shyness, social phobia or simple nerves, is trembling. And this is, for some people, a real problem, especially when those tremors occur in a person suffering from social phobia.
These tremors tend to occur more in the extremities , because before the situations that we consider threatening, the brain orders that blood and energy be sent to the arms and legs, so that they are prepared for the typical "fight and / or flight" responses. Well, there are people who, in certain situations in which they feel evaluated, as a test in a job in which they need to use their hands (in a supermarket, laboratory, hairdressers ...), have to go to the psychologist because they consider that this tremor It overcomes them and they will not be able to carry it out, and the same can happen with the legs.
At first, trembling in these situations can be "normal"; as we have commented, it is a physiological reaction typical of anxiety , and anxiety is to some degree adaptive.
The problem can occur when we are too aware of whether we are going to shake or not. In those cases we have anticipatory anxiety, that is, we are previously worried about it, we avoid situations where we can tremble and we feel bad because of this tremor, which can also be maintained for longer or be more intense in people who are more aware of that tremor and, therefore, feel a greater anxiety.
Treatment: how to solve this problem?
The fear of shaking in public can become a serious problem both personally and professionally.
First, it is essential to know the mechanism of the autonomic nervous system and anxiety. Understand that trembling like this, like other physiological changes in our body, is completely normal, and that these phenomena do not last too long. If we do not avoid or abandon these situations, we can prove it.
But, when this is a problem that generates suffering or limits the person , it is recommended to go to therapy, so that the psychologist offers you all the necessary tools to eliminate this excessive worry.
In the clinic "Mariva Psicólogos" we are specialists in the treatment of social phobia and anxiety in all its manifestations. You can contact the team by clicking here.
