[JoyDivision7680]

This spring I may go to Portugal with a school project about water, its importance, how people take advantage of it etc. The huge problem is that I'm going to have to talk a little about it, in English, in front of 50-100 people...which I'm afraid it's impossible. I've been doing some serious thinking whether shall I refuse to go if I'll be asked or accept and probably have a huge panic attack.
Does writing your 'speech' and simply reading it, thus avoiding the possible eye contact, helps? Does drinking alcohol helps?
What would you do?

[kaliope]

drinking alcohol definitely doesn't help. maybe taking a benzo such as klonopin or Xanax will take the edge off. but the best was is just to be prepared. I suffer from severe anxiety yet I teach all the time and have to go give lectures frequently. they scare the hell out of me. but I know I can do it because I am well prepared with my subject matter. I know it inside out. I have the speech written out but I know the material so well that if I stumble in the speech, I know enough about what I am talking about to recover from my mistake. having confidence and passion in what you are presenting is enough to help you through the anxiety. I know in the beginning I would black out from the panic,, but I would use good self talk telling myself that I know what I am talking about so I have nothing to be afraid of and that would usually calm my nerves enough to get the presentation going and once I was going my passion would kick in and the knowledge would take over and the anxiety would take a back seat. just really have to have that confidence in what you are speaking about and you will be fine. focus on that. take care.

[benson123]

Keep practicing your speech. In the mirror in front of friends. I use to bring school speeches to work to read in front of my co workers at a past job. Know your material. The people who will be there want to hear you. When I have to talk in front of people I think they are just there to listen. They are not judging me or thinking or hoping you are going to make a mistake. My brother asked me to become an ordained minister to marry him and his wife. It terrified me to make a mistake on such an important day. I got through it by joking with my brother right before the ceremony and I was so proud of myself after. And if you stumble over your words it is not the end of the world. Do your best and really just prepare. I believe in you. And like the post from kaliope xanex can help.

[JoyDivision7680]

Geez, doing all of that is going to be really difficult! But I'll try, especially after reading how you two succeeded. Thank you both