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Terrible fear of reading out loud

I have a huge fear of having to read texts out loud to the class. In one of my classes, my teacher often goes around the class and gets us to read the articles. As soon as she says this, my heart starts pounding, I start sweating and I begin worrying for when it comes round to me. Then when I read, I often choke and my voice goes really "wobbly" and I end up having to pause for like 3 seconds after each sentence just to catch my breath.

I'm fine when talking to people, and I don't have any sort of anxiety disorder (as far as I'm aware). And tbh I find I'm more comfortable giving a presentation in front of my class than reading a passage. I didn't always have this - when I was younger, maybe until a year ago, I was perfectly fine with reading in front of people. But now I get so scared of the thought of it, I even consider leaving the classroom just before it's my turn to read.

How do I resolve this??! I feel as if I'm inflicting this choking/losing my breath problem on myself simply by worrying about it, but I don't know how to stop worrying about it! I'm scared I'll choke and embarrass myself, but I feel I only do that because I'm so scared.
I have a similar sort of problem, I don't always read texts very well, and once I've tripped over my words once I'm all over the place.

I guess I usually deal with this by pretending I'm not where I am. For example, I wouldn't be reading in front of my class, I'm reading aloud to myself. I think the change of focus, from the other people in the room to it just being me and the words on the page helps.

Also, if you need those 3 seconds pause to catch your breath, really do take them, make sure you properly calm down before you start again.

Let me know if this helps!
Reply 2
Original post by KitKat210
I have a similar sort of problem, I don't always read texts very well, and once I've tripped over my words once I'm all over the place.

I guess I usually deal with this by pretending I'm not where I am. For example, I wouldn't be reading in front of my class, I'm reading aloud to myself. I think the change of focus, from the other people in the room to it just being me and the words on the page helps.

Also, if you need those 3 seconds pause to catch your breath, really do take them, make sure you properly calm down before you start again.

Let me know if this helps!


I'll try to do that next time thank you. I'm probably going to struggle with that though seeing as I'm at the point where at the start of every lesson I begin worrying about whether we might have to read aloud :frown:
Original post by Anonymous
I'll try to do that next time thank you. I'm probably going to struggle with that though seeing as I'm at the point where at the start of every lesson I begin worrying about whether we might have to read aloud :frown:


Same! I’m more confident now, but it seems as if my body takes control when i am to do speaking out loud in class. I feel fine, but my heart just starts pounding, and i don’t have a clue why.
mmm why not try staring are your other classmates when they read out loud i bet some least choke up or are super tense you can easily see looking ate that makes my fear go away couse i feel bad for em same time gives me courage to see everyone choke up like" hey im not the onky one niether are you so if everyone us choking up whars their to be enbarrased wgen everyone is fuking up 🙇💅✍️
Reply 5
Original post by Anonymous
Same! I’m more confident now, but it seems as if my body takes control when i am to do speaking out loud in class. I feel fine, but my heart just starts pounding, and i don’t have a clue why.


Yeah... hopefully we both improve soon!

Original post by lucerocastro5
mmm why not try staring are your other classmates when they read out loud i bet some least choke up or are super tense you can easily see looking ate that makes my fear go away couse i feel bad for em same time gives me courage to see everyone choke up like" hey im not the onky one niether are you so if everyone us choking up whars their to be enbarrased wgen everyone is fuking up 🙇💅✍️


Lool tbh I have tried looking out for others to see if they're shaking/showing signs of nervousness but it always feels like everyone is capable of doing it perfectly fine, and that just makes me feel even more stupid for feeling this. I guess I'm just going to try and convince myself there's nothing to be worried about, no one cares and that it really doesn't matter if I do mess up. Hopefully then I just won't worry about it at all.
good luck to you
Reply 7
Original post by lucerocastro5
good luck to you


thank you
Reply 8
I have exactly the same problem as you. I literally worry before the lesson about the possibility of me reading and i never had this until 6 months ago. I really want to overcome this and i don't know how either.
You need to practice reading out loud at home in front of you parents or friends or siblings to gain confidence reading out loud in front of people
Reply 10
I have the same exact reading out load fears
I have almost the same issue , (almost) including the ‘symptoms’ that you have I also have shaking but not just with reading but with lots of things . As you said I don’t really have a issue with talking to people but I do when I have to talk to a waiter or something along the lines of that . As well as performing such as playing piano in front of the class or answer an unprepared question asked by the teacher . I almost feel sick when I am going into my English class and see the books begin handed out .
Same i find it hard to read because my heart beats faster so i want to breath more but i can't because i have to read .Honestly if you don't want to read just don't .You may feel embarrassed but please dont put your self through all of that.
(edited 2 years ago)
Reply 13
Original post by Anonymous #1
I have a huge fear of having to read texts out loud to the class. In one of my classes, my teacher often goes around the class and gets us to read the articles. As soon as she says this, my heart starts pounding, I start sweating and I begin worrying for when it comes round to me. Then when I read, I often choke and my voice goes really "wobbly" and I end up having to pause for like 3 seconds after each sentence just to catch my breath.

I'm fine when talking to people, and I don't have any sort of anxiety disorder (as far as I'm aware). And tbh I find I'm more comfortable giving a presentation in front of my class than reading a passage. I didn't always have this - when I was younger, maybe until a year ago, I was perfectly fine with reading in front of people. But now I get so scared of the thought of it, I even consider leaving the classroom just before it's my turn to read.

How do I resolve this??! I feel as if I'm inflicting this choking/losing my breath problem on myself simply by worrying about it, but I don't know how to stop worrying about it! I'm scared I'll choke and embarrass myself, but I feel I only do that because I'm so scared.


I have the exact same issue 😭 and I have no idea why, its really hard when everyone has to read it class 😭