Fear Of Shaking In Public: Why It Appears And How To Solve It

Fear of shaking in public is a problem for many people Although we intuitively tend to link this phenomenon with shyness or insecurity, the reality is a little more complex. Let’s see why some people shake 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 the 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, despite the fact that they like and They need social contact, this tires them more and they need to dose it. Besides, 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 How people feel in certain situations, especially social or new ones. It can make it difficult for the person to expose themselves to these situations and to start 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, they may prefer to be with small groups, but not because the idea of ​​being with people makes them anxious, but because they prefer it.

As for social phobia, this is about intense fear of possible evaluation by other people There is the fear of being evaluated negatively or of 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 disabling, more extreme, and usually manifests itself more suddenly.

Anxiety tremors: why do they occur?

Once this distinction is made, let’s focus on one aspect in particular, the tremors and the fear that they will be perceived We generally know the fear of speaking in public and we know of people who fear sweating, turning red… but something that we also usually do in situations in which we feel anxiety, whether due to shyness, social phobia or simple nerves, is shake. And this is, for some people, a real problem, especially when these tremors occur in a person who suffers from social phobia.

These tremors They tend to occur more on the extremities, because in situations that we consider threatening, the brain orders blood and energy to be sent to the arms and legs, so that they prepare for the typical “fight and/or flight” responses. Well, there are people who, when faced with 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, hairdressers…), have to go to the psychologist because they consider that this tremor It overwhelms them and they will not be able to carry it out, and the same can happen with the legs.

At first, shaking in these situations may 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 these cases we have anticipatory anxiety, that is, we are previously worried about it, we avoid situations in which we may tremble and we feel bad about this tremor, which can also last longer or be more intense in people who are more attentive. of that tremor and, therefore, feel greater anxiety.

Treatment: how to solve this problem?

The fear of shaking in public can become a serious problem 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 verify it.

But, when this represents 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.

At the “Mariva Psychologists” clinic we are specialists in the treatment of social phobia and anxiety in all its manifestations. You can contact the team by clicking here.