Performance anxiety is the publicly humiliating case where you freeze up whenever it happens that you are taking a test, or performing in front of an audience, such as a play or an athletic event.
Of course, this just feeds on itself as the performer nervously forgets their line, or the athlete chokes when presented with an opportunity to excel.
Instead, get the eye of the tiger, tiger.
Public speaking anxiety is one every one is familiar with.
They'd rather die and the polls confirm it.
Now that you're the center of attention, you're nervous and everyone can see it.
They see you fidgeting and trembling...
you're naked, not them.
No you're not, actually.
Shyness is the most common of the disorders, enough that it may not be a disorder as much as an impediment.
You don't feel comfortable speaking out or drawing attention to yourself.
Surely you'll say something foolish or unfunny.
Why risk it all.
Just don't say anything.
Better to be thought a fool than open one's mouth and remove all doubt.
Correct? Not for a minute.
Concerns about one's appearance, known by people with lab coats as Body Dysmorphic Disorder, most likely tops the list of anxiety disorders in terms of volume, pun intended.
It's pertains to 98.
7% of women and more than a fair share of men.
And everyone of them is human.
But it's still much ado about nothing for the most part.
The truth is most of us are not ugly and not worthy of special attention from others.
Likewise, most of us are not Brangelina and not worthy of special attention from others.
Get it? Obsessions and compulsions are often made the butt of jokes, especially when it's Woody Allen talking.
The problem arises when the target of our humor is plagued by an excess of thoughts that they cannot cut loose from.
It may range from a fear of germs as with the hypochondriac to the need to have everything in it's place, on time, every time, each day, every way with the meticulous maniac.
Try taking a a break.
Then do it again.
And again.
Obsess over taking it easy and letting go.
Panic attacks, well they don't play around.
They can come from out of the blue or the tried and true.
And they can be absolutely terrifying.
They knock out your knees with physical discomforts disguised as heart attacks and suffocation and rack your head with thoughts of imminent harm and even death.
And then it's gone.
What was that all about? Confusion reigns.
Fear remains.
Will that happen again? Depends on you and what you do...
about it.
Agoraphobia is often the ultimate outcome of all the above.
As the Beatle's once sang...
It's all too much for me to take.
Except that was a love song.
Nevertheless, there's only one obvious way to eliminate the apprehension, the anxiety, the angst, the humiliation, the expectations, the perceptions.
It's so easy to do.
Just don't do anything.
Stay indoors, don't communicate or cohabitate.
That will solve everything.
And ruin you while you're at it.
Bad idea.