Dreaded Oral Presentations...

Hi,
I am a healthy 23 year-old student, very sociable person, who in general enjoys been in the center of attention and who is rarely shy. I am an attractive female, with no drug addiction problems, or anything of the sort. I live a happy life.

My problem is, when it comes to oral presentation, I become a different person. And I'm not talking about that slight nervousness that most people get before speaking publicly. In my case, it's like the world is about to end. I get so scared I want to cry. I do all that I can to avoid oral speech, but it's unfortunatly unavoidable now that I got into grad school. In fact, it now seems that that's all what teachers enjoy assigning.

I find this so weird because I do not fear been judged or scrutinized. It might be a problem of self-esteem but I seriously wouldn't see why. I feel good about myself. I give myself MORE than enough time to prepare my presentations, and practice for weeks, literaly. Why do I get so scared? I even get nervous when i present it alone in my room! When the day of my presentation gets closser, I have nightmares at night, and the day I have to present is absolutly unbearable. I feel my heart racing for the entire day, even days before.

I don't understand why. What is wrong with me? Are those panic attacks? I'm so lost and scared. I have tons of oral presentations comming up and I'm very scared this will jeapordize my academic year. Please help me!

Thanks from all my heart.