Performance anxiety

Performance anxiety can affect anyone regardless of their age. It is possible for children, adolescents and adults to suffer from the condition. People can suffer from performance anxiety in any situation where they have to achieve e.g. exams, on the stage, public speaking, driving tests and in many other situations.

Often the mere thought of having to perform to a set standard can trigger the ‘fight or flight’ response causing the individual to suffer from extreme stress or anxiety. A person’s desire to do well or pressure from someone else can cause the individual to become extremely anxious. Fear of failure or not living up to their own or someone else’s expectations are potent emotional triggers which can lead to the condition.

Performance anxiety comes from an overload of adrenalin which can cause the body to shake, excessively sweat and the person may find them-self hyperventilating. When a person suffers from anxiety the individual’s ability to make sensible, rational decisions or to appraise what is going on realistically is affected. Even when someone has prepared well for their performance if anxiety kicks in their physical and emotional responses can prevent them from performing to the best of their ability.

If the individual under performs they may feel inadequate and a failure. When they need to perform again they put pressure on themselves as they do not want to “fail” again, they fear the performance as they remember how they felt the last time and as a result the anxiety is greater and the performance even more painful. This starts a vicious circle which if not dealt with can cause a downward spiral in the person’s moral, confidence and ability.

Hypnotherapy can help enormously with performance anxiety. Powerful hypnosis techniques can enable you to gain performance-related confidence. Through deep relaxation we can work with you to reduce your nerves, prepare for the event, increase your confidence and enjoy the experience.

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anxiety