Dr.CherylMathews,AnxietyHub.org

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PublicSpeakingAnxietyTestThistestwasdevelopedtohelpyouunderstandthekeyfeaturesofapublicspeakingphobia,andtohelpyouassessyourfearlevel.Thisisnotanofficialdiagnosis—seeamentalhealthprofessionalforanofficialdiagnosis.

Doyouhaveaphobiaofpublicspeaking?Pleaseanswerquestions1-4.1.Ifearoneormoreofthesesocial/speakingsituations(checkallthatapply):

q Givingspeechesorpresentations q Performinginfrontofothers q Introducingmyselfinagroup q Participatingingroupdiscussions q Voicinganopinion q Interviews q Talkingtoauthorityfigures q Dating q Networking q Other____________________________________________________________________

2.WhenI’minthosefearfulsituationsIexperiencesomeorallofthesesymptoms(checkallthatapply):

q Rapidheartbeat q Sweating q Difficultybreathing q Losingtrainofthought q Blushing q Tightchest q Trembling q Dizziness q Voicequivering q Problemswallowing q Muscletwitching q Nausea q Other____________________________________________________________________

Dr.CherylMathews,AnxietyHub.org

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3.WhenthishappensIfeel(checkallthatapply):

q Outofcontrolq Confusedq Distressedq Embarrassedq Insecureandlackingconfidenceq Likesomethingiswrongwithmeq Other____________________________________________________________________

4.Thishasanegativeimpactonmylifeintheseareas(checkallthatapply):

q School and graduation q Career advancement q Relationships q Other____________________________________________________________________

ResultsIfyoucheckedatleastoneiteminquestion1,2,3,and4,youprobablyhaveaphobiaorpublicspeaking.Aphobiameansthatyourfearisgettinginthewayofyourgoals.Forexample,youmaybeunabletograduatefromschoolorinterviewforajob.Themoreyourfearpreventsyoufromachievingyourgoals,andthemoreitlimitsyourlife,themoresevereyourphobia.

Dr.CherylMathews,AnxietyHub.org

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Howsevereisyourphobia?5.Towhatextenthasyourfearofpublicspeakingpreventedyoufromaccomplishingyourcareergoals?Forexample,yournervousnessmaypreventyoufromgraduatingfromschool,interviewing,pursuingacareeryoulove,performingsatisfactorilyinyourjob,networking,gettingapromotion,orothergoals.Checktheboxthatmostappliestoyou.

q Significantly(mynervousnessissignificantlypreventingmefromachievingmygoals)

q Somewhat(mynervousnessissomewhatpreventingmefromachievingmygoals)

q Notsignificantly(Imaybenervousinsomesituationsbutmynervousnessisnotpreventingmefromachievingmygoals)

Ifyouselected“significantly”or“somewhat,”canyouidentifyonecareergoalthatyournervousnesshaspreventedyoufromachieving?Writeyouranswerinthetextbox.

6.Towhatextenthasyourfearofpublicspeakingpreventedyoufromaccomplishingyourpersonalgoals?Forexample,yournervousnessmaypreventyoufromhavingthetypesofrelationshipsyouwant,socializing,orothergoals.Checktheboxthatmostappliestoyou.

q Significantly(mynervousnessissignificantlypreventingmefromachievingmygoals)

q Somewhat(mynervousnessissomewhatpreventingmefromachievingmygoals)

q Notsignificantly(Imaybenervousinsomesituationsbutmynervousnessisnotpreventingmefromachievingmygoals)

Ifyouselected“significantly”or“somewhat,”canyouidentifyonepersonalgoalthatyournervousnesshaspreventedyoufromachieving?Writeyouranswerinthetextbox.

Dr.CherylMathews,AnxietyHub.org

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7.Ifyouhadnofear,whatwouldyoubeabletodothatyoucan’tdonow?Writeyouranswerinthetextbox.

8.MyfearlevelinthesesituationsEvaluateyourdegreeoffearineachofthefollowingsituations:

} Lowmeansyournervoussymptomsaremanageableandyoucanperformadequately.

} Mediummeansyournervoussymptomssomewhataffectyourabilitytoperform.Forexample,youmayhavedifficultyconcentratingandyoumayforgetoneofyourkeypoints.

} Highmeansyournervoussymptomssignificantlyaffectyourabilitytoperformormakeitimpossibletoperform.Forexample,hyperventilating.

Low Medium High

Askaquestionatatownhallmeeting Participateinaperformanceevaluationwithyourboss

Giveaspeechataconference Introducemyselftoanewbusinesscolleague Participateinalargegroupdiscussionwithstrangers

Conductanetworkingconversation Giveashortreporttoaworkteam Introduceaspeakertoalargeaudience Strikeupaconversationwithastrangeratasocialevent

PresentreportfindingstotheChiefExecutive Introduceyourselfinalargemeeting Offeratoastataweddingoraeulogyatafuneral

Tellajokeinfrontofalargesocialgathering Expressanopinionatateammeeting Participateinajobinterview Giveaworkshopinyourareaofexpertise

Dr.CherylMathews,AnxietyHub.org

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ResultsHighFear:Ifyourfearratingishighinanyofthesesituations,youprobablyhaveaphobiaofpublicspeakingthatisseverelylimitingyourlifeandpreventingyoufromachievingyourgoals.YouareagoodcandidateforSpeakMeister–aprogramdevelopedforpublicspeakingphobia.MediumFear:Ifyourfearratingismediuminanyofthesesituations,youprobablyhaveaphobiaofpublicspeakingthatmaybelimitingyourlifeandgettinginthewayofachievingyourgoals.YouareagoodcandidateforSpeakMeister–aprogramdevelopedforpublicspeakingphobia.LowFear:Ifyourfearratingisbetween0-35,youareagoodcandidateforToastmasters.orgornon-phobicgroupsatSpeakMeister.Publicspeakingphobiasaretreatable,andtherearethousandsofpeoplewhohaveovercomeitwiththerighttreatment.Cognitive-behavioraltreatmentshavebeenfoundtobemosteffective.Publicspeakingphobiaisatypeofsocialanxiety,soyoumaywanttojoinasocialanxietyorpublicspeakingphobiatreatmentgroup.Seeourlistoftreatmentcentersorvirtualcounselorsthatspecializeinsocialanxietyand/orpublicspeakingphobia.