Performance anxiety refers to the fear or nervousness about performing a specific task in front of others or under pressure. It can affect anyone and is common in situations where individuals feel judged, evaluated, or under high expectations. Performance anxiety often manifests in areas such as public speaking, sports, academic tests, artistic performances, or even sexual activity.

• Fear of Failure: Concern about not meeting personal or external expectations.
• Perfectionism: Unrealistically high standards leading to excessive self-criticism.
• Social Pressure: Fear of being judged or ridiculed by others.
• Past Negative Experiences: Previous failures or criticism can increase anxiety in similar situations.
• Stress or Overthinking: Worrying excessively about the outcome.

Physical Symptoms:

• Rapid heartbeat or palpitations.
• Sweating.
• Trembling or shaking.
• Shortness of breath or tightness in the chest.
• Dry mouth or difficulty speaking.
• Upset stomach, nausea, or digestive issues.
• Muscle tension or dizziness.

Emotional Symptoms:

• Intense fear or panic.
• Feeling of dread or doom.
• Self-doubt or low confidence.

Cognitive Symptoms:

• Difficulty concentrating or focusing.
• Racing thoughts.
• Fear of being judged or making mistakes.

Public Speaking Anxiety: Fear of speaking in front of an audience, often called glossophobia.

Test Anxiety: Nervousness or fear before or during exams.

Sports Performance Anxiety: Pressure to perform well in athletic competitions.

Sexual Performance Anxiety: Worry about sexual performance, which may affect arousal or satisfaction.

Artistic Performance Anxiety: Nervousness before performing music, acting, or other arts in front of an audience.

Performance anxiety is not officially classified as a distinct medical condition, but it is often identified as a type of social anxiety disorder or a situational anxiety issue. Diagnosis is typically made through a clinical evaluation by a healthcare professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or primary care provider.

Here’s how performance anxiety is generally diagnosed:

Clinical Interview
Symptom Assessment
Screening Tools and Questionnaires
Observing Impact on Functioning

Beta-Blockers:

• Commonly used for performance-related physical symptoms (e.g., trembling, rapid heartbeat).
• Examples: Propranolol (Inderal) or Atenolol.
• Often used for stage fright or public speaking anxiety.