HI Dr. Pinhas:
It’s A from human sexuality class
In my public speaking class today I had to do a speech in front of the class and normally I am not nervous because I have a background in performing speeches for judges in my business club in High School but I was nervous and didn’t do such a good job with the speech that I could of, but I noticed I had what I thought were hot flashes where my body temperature increased dramatically during the speech. I am a male and 19 and I thought this only occurs with women going through menopause. Thanks for the help
Response from Dr. Pinhas
A, you were highly anxious about this speech but apparently you didn’t experience your anxiety the typical way that you understand –jittery feelings, pumped up, heart pitter/patter…. etc. You never anticipated that you’d be anxious because you are used to public performances. But indeed you were freaked out without a conscious awareness of how anxious you really were. Your pituitary-adrenal glands and sympathetic nervous system put you into a “fight-flight” and your galvanic skin temperature went through the roof…. these are typical anxiety reactions but ones that you aren’t used to. No, my dear you are not in a menopausal state but welcome to the world of hot flashes. This time yours is due to massive anxiety. Possible Solutions: Be thoroughly prepared with your work; practice your speech in front of the mirror many times; take a few deep breathes; look at your audience for a few seconds before you start talking and know that the starting point of verbalization is the toughest entry point. As you continue to talk, you’ll get hold of yourself.
Extra Information: I think I had these hot flashes because I am used to performing speeches to adults and this was the first time ever where I actually performed a speech in front of people my age. In the business club Deca, we have 10 mins to prepare a speech and then we role-play with 3 judges who grade you on everything from proper attire to the strength of your handshake. Normal teens would be nervous at this task but I ended up taking home a medal for Top 10 in the whole Nassau County in my category of Marketing Management. That is why I was surprised at these hot flashes that distracted me during my speech and caused me to freeze for a couple of seconds during the speech in my public speaking class. Thanks for the help and answering my question Prof Pinhas. :)
Your comfort with adults is evident. Peers can always be a source of anxiety when you perform any task in a new venue. Thanks for the extra information– one can see that you feel (as evidenced by your “hot flash”) that there was a lot more at stake– the acceptance and approval of yourself in the eyes of your peers.
Thanks for your input Prof