Stage fright orperformance anxiety is theanxiety,fear, or persistentphobia that may be aroused in an individual by the requirement toperform in front of anaudience, real or imagined, whether actually or potentially (for example, when performing before acamera). Performing in front of an unknown audience can cause significantly more anxiety than performing in front of familiar faces. Conversely, some performers report minimal anxiety when appearing before strangers, but severe stage fright when friends, family and colleagues are present. This condition can manifest as long as thirty-six hours beforehand, with classic symptoms such as nausea, dry mouth, and eye twitches.
In some cases, stage fright may be a part of a larger pattern of social phobia (social anxiety disorder), but many people experience stage fright without any wider problems. Quite often, stage fright arises in a mere anticipation of a performance, often a long time ahead. It has numerous manifestations:stuttering,tachycardia,tremor in the hands and legs, sweaty hands,facial nervetics,dry mouth, anddizziness.
Stage fright can occur in people of all experiences from those who are completely new to being in front of an audience to those who have done so for years. It is commonly recognized in the population. Stage fright may, for example, have a negative impact on the individual's performance, such that it affects their confidence duringjob interviews, presentations, etc.[1] It also affects athletes, teachers, actors, comedians, musicians,[2] and politicians. Many people with no other problems in communication can experience stage fright, but some people with chronic stage fright also havesocial anxiety or social phobia, in which chronic feelings of high anxiety in any social situation are not uncommon. Stage fright can also be seen in school situations, like stand-up projects and class speeches.
When someone starts to feel the sensation of being scared or nervous they start to experience anxiety. According to a Harvard Mental Health Letter, "Anxiety usually has physical symptoms that may include a racing heart, adry mouth, a shaky voice,blushing,trembling,sweating,lightheadedness, andnausea".[3] It triggers the body to activate itssympathetic nervous system. This process takes place when the body releasesadrenaline into the blood stream causing a chain of reactions to occur. This bodily response is known as the "fight or flight" syndrome, a naturally occurring process in the body done to protect itself from harm. "The neck muscles contract, bringing the head down and shoulders up, while the back muscles draw the spine into aconcave curve. This, in turn, pushes the pelvis forward and pulls thegenitals up, slumping the body into a classicfetal position".[4] This is also noted to have effects on sexual performance and physiology, which can be sometimes attributed to psychological barriers.[5]
In trying to resist this position, the body will begin to shake in places such as the legs and hands. Several other things happen besides this. Muscles in the body contract, causing them to be tense and ready to attack. Second, "blood vessels in the extremities constrict".[6] This can leave a person with the feeling of cold fingers, toes, nose, and ears. Constrictedblood vessels also gives the body extra blood flow to the vital organs.
Negative emotionality indicated more than 50% of individual variations in performance anxiety in musicians, according to research on performance anxiety and the roles of personality and experience in musicians. Additionally, a discussion revealed that many years of formal education might counteract the performance anxiety linked to personality type. Given various conditions, performance anxiety reduced with time, indicating that the diary style of self-monitoring may have therapeutic benefits.[7]
One of the most notable examples in the treatment of stage fright involves the use ofbeta blockers.Propranolol is occasionally prescribedoff-label to treat performance anxiety.[8] As abeta blocker drug, propranolol preventsadrenaline (epinephrine) released during the "fight-or-flight" bodily response from attaching to the heart, lungs and other parts of the body. This reduces or eliminates the physical symptoms of performance anxiety including increased heart rate (tachycardia), rapid breathing (hyperventilation), dry mouth, trembling, shaky voice, and sweating. Propranolol is not an officially approved treatment for performance anxiety; however, past studies[9] and patient experiences[10] indicate the drug is often very effective at reducing physical symptoms of anxiety. Propranolol does not help with the mental symptoms of anxiety including the emotional feeling of nervousness since the drug does not alter theneurochemistry of the brain unlike typical medications prescribed for other forms of anxiety such asantidepressants.[11][12][13]
There are also ways to treat performance anxiety without the use of medication. Relaxing the body with deep breaths, mentally preparing oneself, and redirecting one's attention are techniques that may help with minimizing stage fright.[14] Although it is a common assumption thatalcohol can be used to relieve anxiety, other forms of treatment prove to be much better at treating stage fright. Alcohol consumption may actually affect one's performance and lead to lapses in memory and overallabsent-mindedness.[15]
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Many well-known, accomplished public performers have been afflicted with stage fright and were able to overcome their problem, includingAriel Pink,Al Jolson,Lily Pons,Rob Halford,Brian Wilson,Virginia O'Brien,Michael Gambon,Steve Perry,Geoff Tate,Grimes,Lorde,Carly Simon,[16]Jason Alexander,Mose Allison,Maya Angelou,David Brenner,Peter Coyote,Olympia Dukakis,Jani Lane,Richard Lewis,Roy Orbison,[17]Barbra Streisand,[18]Adele,David Warner,[19]Niall Horan,Frankie Howerd,Mike Yarwood,Ian Holm,[20]Lady Gaga,Mariah Carey,Frankie Boyle,[21]Peter Gabriel,Donald Fagen,John Lydon,Meg White (which was so extreme that it led to her early retirement from the music industry) andAmanda Seyfried.[22]
In some cases, famous stars have struggled to cope with their anxiety.Hugh Grant said on starring in the 2007 filmMusic and Lyrics that he "did the whole film full oflorazepam."[23]
Not every performer suffers from stage fright.Ethel Merman said:[24]
What’s there to worry about? I know my lines. … Why should I be nervous on opening night? The people who paid for tickets for a new play, they’re the ones who should be nervous.
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