CBT by Condition

Guide

CBT for Performance Anxiety

Educational content only. Consider coaching or clinician guidance for high‑stakes contexts. See our Medical Disclaimer.

Overview

Performance anxiety involves fear of evaluation in public speaking, tests, interviews, or performances, maintained by avoidance and safety behaviors.

Why CBT helps

  • Exposure: practice talks/tests from easy to hard, record/review compassionately.
  • Attention training: shift from self‑monitoring to task/audience focus.
  • Skills routines: preparation scripts, breathing, and post‑event reviews.

Journaling prompts

  1. Exposure step → prediction vs. outcome → peak anxiety/time to decline.
  2. Safety behavior I reduced (over‑rehearsal, notes) and effect.
  3. Two things that went well and one tweak for next time.

Use brief logs; see How to Journal.

When to seek care

Severe impairment warrants clinician‑guided exposure and coaching integration.

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