By Varsha Seshadri
What is stage fright?
Stage fright, also known as performance anxiety, is a condition of fear which occurs when there is a need to be on a stage in front of others. Most people can and do exhibit mild symptoms of performance anxiety, such as politicians, singers, and dancers. While stage fright is common, stage fright isn’t a diagnosable mental health condition. However, a serious fear of public speaking is called glossophobia, and around 7 percent of adults have glossophobia.
Fun Fact: People can be born with performance anxiety!
Causes of Stage Fright
Often, stage fright is associated with social phobia, which share the following causes:
● Fear of not being adequate
● Over estimation of how much people care about you
● Underestimation of our capabilities
● Overestimation of the idea of rejection
● The fear of messing up as a result of underpreparation
In addition, stage fright can be impacted by a multitude of factors, such as:
● Underpreparedness
● How big the audience is
● Who is in the audience
● The performer’s mood that day
How to Avoid Stage Fright
Some tips for helping avoid stage fright before getting on the stage include:
● Taking deep breaths
● Relaxing before the performance
● Psychotherapies
In addition, even when onstage, steps can be taken to relieve performance anxiety, which include:
● Focusing on the present
● Not worrying too much about mistakes
● Not obsessing over perfection
● Enjoy the performance to the best of your abilities
References
Rossi, D. (2015, November). Stage Fright. Top Doctors United Kingdom. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://www.topdoctors.co.uk/medical-dictionary/stage-fright
Stage Fright. (n.d.). Psychology Today. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/stage-fright
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