Resilience | Resilience Know How

Question: How can i overcome performance anxiety?

(Posted by: on 2010-08-24 18:04:21)

I really want to be an actress or a musician, but every time I'm up in front of my class or on stage, my heart starts beating really hard and fast. It gets to where I can feel it in my throat and it feels like I'm breathing through a coffee straw, and I almost pass out. It has progressively gotten worse as I've gotten older. I also have various anxiety disorders (along with other mental illnesses), so maybe they tie in together? I was seeing a therapist for a while, but my father felt that it wasn't helping me so he made me stop, and won't allow me to continue. Anyways, does anyone know how I can get rid of my performance anxiety?

Posted by: - on 2010-08-24, 18:11:29

I used to have exactly the same problem! I perform with a barbershop chorus and recently we performed in front of around 2,500 people (which is a lot considering we had only performed to around 300 before!) at NATIONAL finals. I was so scared. And I had to lead us out onto the stage too! So what I did was before the show I practised my song by sang it loudly and fast to get the jitters out of my voice and let some of the panic out. When I walked onstage I flicked my fingers like "spirit fingers " to keep some part of my body moving at all times, this helps to channel nerves really well! The best thing about breathing when nervous is that your senses are heightened so just take deeeeeeeep breaths and keep your eyes on something that isn't looking at you like the back wall or doors of the theatre. Always works for me. Hope I helped even just a little bit!

Posted by: Jen on 2010-08-24, 18:14:32

I have been involved in speech and in theater for a while now and I've had this odd mix of severe stage anxiety and fearlessness. It's hard but there are several ways to trick yourself into doing better once you're on stage- but as far as I can tell, most of the time that nervous feeling doesn't go away. It's the cortisol shooting to your brain telling you you're anxious and that there's danger and then your adrenaline spikes. Take some calming breaths, think of a mantra if it helps. Make sure you're practiced and prepared and that's really all you can do. Once you're on stage, revel in the feeling because as nervous as you get, it's obviously something you kind of enjoy. And on another note: If the therapy was working or not was really not your father's choice- how would he know if it's your issue? If your mental illness persists to something unbearable-( I KNOW what I'm talking about)- then seek help on your own. Your father has no right to kick you out off therapy- if he's footing the bill, sure- but if you really need it, then find a way to get it. There are places that serve you on a sliding pay scale as well if finances are an issue. Hope that helps any!