Fear of trembling in public: why it appears and how to solve it

This problem can damage people's well-being and can even hinder their professional careers.

The fear of shaking in public is a problem for many people.. Although intuitively we tend to link this phenomenon with shyness or insecurity, the reality is a little more complex. Let's see why some people tremble when speaking in public and what can be done about it to solve it.

Differences between introversion, shyness and social phobia.

First of all, it should be noted that social phobia is not the same as shyness or introversion.

Introversion has to do with a person's temperament. When a person is introverted, they like to be in quiet areas with few people, they need solitude to a greater extent than extroverts and it consumes their energy to be in places with too much stimulation or people, so, although they like and need social contact, it tires them more and they need to dose it. In addition, when they are at social events, they tend to 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 embarrassment that people feel in certain situations. people feel in certain situations, especially social or new ones. It can make it difficult for the person to expose him or herself to these situations and to engage in conversations or meet people. In addition, it usually involves a certain degree of anxiety, which differentiates it from introversion.

A person may be introverted and not shy, may prefer to be with small groups, but not because he/she is anxious about the idea of being with people, but because he/she prefers it.

As for social phobia, this is an intense fear of the intense fear before the possible evaluation on the part of other people.. There is the fear of being evaluated negatively or of being in evidence 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 disabling, more extreme and it tends to manifest itself more often.

Anxiety tremors: why do they occur?

Having made this distinction, let's focus on one aspect in particular, the tremors and the fear that they will be perceived. We are generally familiar with the fear of speaking in public and we know of people who are afraid of sweating, turning red... but something we also tend to do in situations where we feel anxious, whether due to shyness, social phobia or simple nerves, is to tremble. And this is, for some people, a real problem, especially when these tremors occur in a person suffering from social phobia.

These tremors usually occur more in the extremitiesThis is because in situations that we consider threatening, the brain orders Blood and energy to be sent to the arms and legs, so that these are prepared for the typical "fight and/or flight" responses. Well, there are people who, in certain situations in which they feel evaluated, such as a test in a job in which they need to use their hands (in a supermarket, laboratory, hairdressing salons...), have to go to the psychologist because they consider that this tremor is beyond 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 may be "normal"; as we have mentioned, it is a physiological reaction, it is a physiological reaction of anxiety.and anxiety is to some degree adaptive.

The problem can occur when we are too concerned about whether we are going to tremble or not. In these cases we have anticipatory anxiety, that is, we are previously worried about it, we avoid situations in which we can tremble and we feel bad about 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 greater anxiety.

Treatment: how to solve this problem?

The fear of trembling in public can become a serious problem, both personally and professionally. both personally and professionally.

First of all, it is essential to know the mechanism of the autonomic nervous system and anxiety. Understand that shaking 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 will be able to check it.

But, when this is a problem that generates suffering or limits the person, we will be able to see it.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.