Fear Of Public Speaking

If you fear public speaking more than going to the dentist, or even death, you are not alone.

Millions of professionals make themselves sick at the thought of having to get up in front of people to give a speech. In this morning's segment of "Life Matters," The Early Show contributor Debbye Turner tackles one of life's biggest phobias, head on.

"The fear of public speaking is the No. 1 rated fear in America," says psychologist Shirley Impelizari; noting the fear of being judged creates anxiety that can be paralyzing.

"We have a fear of being laughed at, a fear of making of a mistake, that fear of being vulnerable," she says.

Some people talk about physical things that happen to them when they're afraid in front of a group.

"I was the most nervous wreck. I had sweat coming down my face and I was just petrified," says Amit Patel.

"Personally, I had a bad habit of pulling up my pants," says Roger Hollomand with a laugh.

And Sonya Jackson asks, "You didn't see my hair raise up?"

These people have found hope and help by joining "Toastmasters International," an organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. In this exercise, members give impromptu talks on the topic of the moment.

"As you go under the water, everything changes. It's a whole new world," says Dave Wiemers in his speech at Toastmasters.

What kind of public speaker was he before he got the extra help and training?

"A very nervous one, ha. I really had no public skills at all," he says.

For Hollomand, the feeling of getting up in front of a group and talking about a subject for which he has not really prepared a speech is, well, difficult, he says.

"And it's a challenge. But it's a challenge that brings me back to the meetings. You definitely get a rush," he says.

Enrolling in acting class is another technique used to conquer the fear of public speaking. Los Angeles acting coach, Dennis LaValle, uses Shakespeare and improvisation to inspire his students to communicate with confidence.

"They need a sense that they can do it," he says. LaValle also warns his students to avoid the No.1 pitfall, don't try to be a stand-up comedian.

"You see so many public speakers make that mistake, start them off with a joke. And it's so obvious that they've planned this joke that everyone's going, 'That's good, good. Get on with it,'" says LaValle.

And once you have lost them…

"It's very hard to get them back," LaValle says.

Experiencing panic when standing before a crowd may be the norm, but experts say facing your fear will help to conquer it.

"It's scary but just get out there and do it. Find a good, supportive group that will actually comfort you," says Patel.

"I went out there and I did it and, bingo, my book sales went up dramatically. And I went ah-ha!" says Wiemers.