Presentation and turning red

[Law2Doc]

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wait, wouldn't a tan make it even more red (destruction of, i think, collagen causing an inflammatory response->blood vessels dilate)? i know that whenever i'm outside in the sun, my skin gets all red.

Red is sunburn, which is more severe damage to skin. Tanning ideally doesn't turn you red, it just makes you darker. You'll still flush, but it won't be as visible.

 

[yyd]

-

 

[moto_za]

tanning = risk of skin cancer

 

[moto_za]

not a big fan of tanning and never done it before

 

[yyd]

-

 

[inside_edition]

tanning = risk of skin cancer

plus sagging skin because collagen fibers get damaged in the sun.

 

[myrtle]

what did he prescribe and what are the effects? also, how short term is it?

can they affect the muscles used in speech (i think some are smooth and others are skeletal)?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_blockers

I am going to stay away from the medical side of it (read websites, etc.) and just say that as a person who took it - I tried it the day before to make sure I didn't have any crazy side effects and didn't notice anything different. During the presentation, I just had a dry mouth but didn't have the problems I normally do (redness, sweating, heart racing, etc.). Also, I took it only once before a presentation and another time on stage in front of a bunch of people - major things, not day to day, can't imagine addictiveness. Obviously, it should only be prescribed by a doctor and not everyone should take it - there's a good list of side effects on wikipedia.

Just thought others should know about it, because it helped me overcome my terrible public speaking 🙂

 

[moto_za]

what about using a beta-blocker during the mcat?😀

 

[coffeebythelake]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone can provide me with information on how to prevent yourself from turning red when presenting in front of a group of people? This happens to me most of the time and I don't know why? I have a presentation tomorrow and hope this will not happen.

thanks a lot

DON'T CARE. JUST DON'T CARE ABOUT ANYTHING.

 

[moto_za]

agree

 

[crowman]

Do the following:

1. Join toastmasters international. It is basically dedicated to people in your situation and will get you more comfortable with groups and presenting

http://www.toastmasters.org/

2. Get a beta's and see if that works (propranolol or something) as long as you don't have a history of heart trouble. This is prescribed quite frequently for people in the business world who need to do stressful public speaking.

Having worked in consulting for ten years, I have seen people who would just crap themselves thinking about speaking in a group go on to run conferences as the main master of ceremonies... these are just my observations and I have seen many successes.

 

[polycon7]

Hey OP, my best advice for your future presentations is to practice being confident. I had this problem all the way through college. I hated it, but I got over it in grad school. All I do in my master's program is present and just from doing it over and over, my anxiety with public speaking just went away. I think my fear came from not fully knowing the material I was presenting and the inability to answer the questions that came after the presentation. I think someone said it earlier, but if you carry yourself confidently, people won't really notice your flushed appearance. I have seen people present and have turned red but I didn't really notice it compared to someone who was red and looked extremely nervous. Good luck with your presentation tomorrow!

 

[BeatrixKiddo]

When I gave speeches my pulse would shoot up to like higher than when i'm working out probably around 180 and I would like twitch and talk weird. I don't think it was really a big deal, giving speeches isn't a skil I care to master.

 

[Powers]

I was wondering if anyone can provide me with information on how to prevent yourself from turning red when presenting in front of a group of people? This happens to me most of the time and I don't know why? I have a presentation tomorrow and hope this will not happen.

I read about one low-tech approach to this problem. Since it's about impossible to make yourself turn red at will, actually try to make yourself flush when you feel it starting. Somehow that's supposed to break the cycle. I don't know if it works but it couldn't hurt to give it a shot.

Good luck!

 

[iiiimonica]

just 1 (alright 2 max) shot of Stoli (i perfer orange Stoli, but whatever floats your boat)
keep it in a water bottle and when you are setting up, drink up! you'll feel relaxed (won't be drunk) and the whole redness issue might not go away, but you'll feel much better

PS if your over 21 of course

 

[Cirrus83]

Don't even dare consider medication OP. That's utterly ridiculous! It'd be like trying to get over your anxiety by popping a Zoloft just to do your presentation.

Seriously, medication is useful but this just sounds a bit like stage fright. I stutter, my voice cracks, and I turn red too when I'm doing crap in front of people that I'm not used to. But you get used to it, and eventually it ain't so bad.

Maybe you can take a class on public speech or something? A lot less insane than surgery/meds.

 

[Samoa]

moto_za,

Don't even think of any kind of surgery: it is silly! As someone who had the same problem (A LOT) during the school years (middle to high school), I can tell you that the way out of it is to try to break the anxiety cycle that is causing this problem. Your face may be turning red because this is what you anticipate, and you worry about how other people will react to it (whether it would appear weird, etc). The more you worry about it, the worse it becomes. From my own experiene, I suggest not to fight the anxiety when you start feeling your face turning bright red and instead assume an attitude that you simply don't care about it. You may FEEL weird when it happens, but you don't LOOK weird. Besides, most people are so preoccupied with themselves, they would hardly notice. If you can get your anxiety under control, you won't have "red face" problem anymore. For me, it kind of went away during my college years and now (I'm currently in grad school) it would take a lot to make me blush. So, please trust me on this: this problem is definitely manageable without any kinds of drugs or surgery. Also, giving as many oral presentations as possible helps a lot as it will boost your confidence of speaking before people.
Hope this helps.

I had the exact same problem in high school. It was weird--I don't get stage fright, and it had never happened to me until my senior year. But then, all of a sudden, I simply could not get up in front of people and speak or perform solo without my face turning red. And I didn't feel anxious or anything, either. So I just ignored it.

A year or so later it stopped happening, and I've never had a problem with it again.

 

[Law2Doc]

what about using a beta-blocker during the mcat?😀

Yes, There are people who use such meds for test anxiety.

 

[Law2Doc]

Seriously, medication is useful but this just sounds a bit like stage fright.

Um, if you do a google search of "stage fright" and "beta blocker", you will see that that is one of the common uses of such med. Not saying the OP should be on meds, but that "stage fright" is not a malady for which people don't use meds. So phrases like "you don't need meds, it's just stage fright" is actually wrong -- many physicians prescribe drugs for alleviating stage fright.

I would suggest though that getting flushed does not equal stage fright. Stage fright involves a nervousness in performing in front of crowds. People who regularly get flushed in nervous situations might not be having any difficulty performing, they are just red.

 

[joj884]

Facial redness, probably rosacea. I have a mild case too but mine used to be alot worse lots of people have it. Sometimes the mild flushing can get very bad and be accompanied with sweating, heat, etc. Check with dermatologists but most of them just write it off as a minor skin condition. Find one that cares enough to try things.

Alot of this has already been said, there is a topical gel called mtrogel containing metrondiazole that seems to help, and beta blockers and things sometimes used to treat hot flashes in women, various types of anti-inflammatory meds. photo-facial laser treatments. Even if you have severe facial blushing an operation known as a sypathectomy that can help ease some facial sweating and blushing. A Dr. Nielson in San Antonio performed mine.

The best overall book on rosace treatments is by a Dr. Nase who is a sufferer and a PhD.

 

[Soon]

Yeah, I totally get you, I've been there!
One thing that works for me (might also be psychological, fake talisman kind of thing, but whatever works) is to look up at the light or another bright source for a second, either before you present or during, if you feel like you're getting uncomfortable. It contracts your pupils which helps me feel like I've controlled part of that flight or fight response and makes me look less panicked.
It's just one of those things where you need to trust yourself and your responses and instincts too. I know you probably do now, but that tendency to blush usually disappears as you get older (or happens less frequently). I'm guessing you're pretty young right now, so don't worry, it's not forever.

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone can provide me with information on how to prevent yourself from turning red when presenting in front of a group of people? This happens to me most of the time and I don't know why? I have a presentation tomorrow and hope this will not happen.

thanks a lot