Online therapy for performance anxiety
What is performance anxiety?
Performance anxiety refers to the feelings of fear, nervousness, and dread surrounding the completion of tasks that rely on your individual performance. This is often due to a fear of failure or being negatively perceived by others.
There are different types of performance anxieties, including:
- Public speaking
- Artistic performance
- Sports performance
- Examination performance
- Sexual performance
Performance anxiety is a common mental health concern, but although it is not a diagnosable condition.
Types of performance anxiety
Although performance anxiety is not a diagnosable condition, it is understood to be a manifestation of social anxiety disorder and can impact all aspects of your life, from personal relationships and hobbies to education and work.
There are different types of performance anxiety, which can be split into different categories:
Stage fright and public speaking anxiety
Many people have a fear of public speaking, and this can cause anxiety for people who have to perform in public, such as actors, dancers, musicians, and speakers. This is often referred to as ‘stage fright’ or stage performance anxiety.
You might also experience this type of public speaking anxiety in the workplace or at school. Having to perform a speech or presentation can cause anxiety and stress.
Sports performance anxiety
Athletes might experience sports performance anxiety about upcoming matches or competitions. They may experience extreme pressure to perform well and win, resulting in feelings of anxiety.
Sexual performance anxiety
Some people experience anxiety surrounding sex and sexual performance. This can stem from worries about being unable to satisfy a partner, having low self-esteem, or going through relationship issues.
Testing and examination anxiety
Worries around tests, examinations, and interviews can be considered a type of performance anxiety as they can evoke feelings of failure or shame if they don’t go as well as hoped. Individuals might also feel scrutinised by others if they have to share results they are unhappy with.
You are likely to deal with this type of performance anxiety at work or in educational settings.
When to seek treatment for performance anxiety
You should consider treatment for your worry, anxiety or panic disorders when:
You avoid speaking up in situations where it would benefit you to do so or engage in activities that may be rewarding (e.g., singing, acting and dancing) because of the fear of failure.
You feel increasingly anxious about delivering presentations, speeches in public or engaging in sexual activities.
- You are preoccupied or overly concerned with what others think about you when engaging in performance-based activities.
You notice that you are feeling down or judging yourself negatively in many performance-based situations.
What do Onebright offer?
We offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for performance anxiety, as there is evidence to suggest it can be of support in terms of reducing symptoms and improving both daily functioning and quality of life.
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Benefits of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is an evidence based, goal-oriented and collaborative psychological therapy approach that focuses on understanding the past and present connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours (termed the ‘formulation’). It also offers powerful tools, strategies, and techniques to identify, challenge and reframe unhelpful thought patterns and associated feelings and behaviours, helping to significantly improve mental health and quality of life.
Find out more
Get started by answering some simple questions below or call 020 8175 4908
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Onebright's client liaison team are available Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm (excluding bank holidays).
You must be aged 18 years or above to access our therapy services.
You must be aged 18 years or above to access our therapy services.