Overview
Performance anxiety is a common condition affecting millions of people who experience nervousness, anxiety, or stress in specific high-pressure situations such as public speaking, presentations, job interviews, athletic competitions, musical performances, or sexual encounters. While occasional nervousness is normal, performance anxiety can significantly impair your ability to perform at your full potential and negatively impact your career, relationships, and quality of life. The good news: performance anxiety is highly treatable with medication that can help you stay calm, focused, and confident when it matters most.
Common Symptoms
- Feeling nervous, anxious, or "on edge" in certain situations
- Rapid heartbeat or palpitations before or during performance situations
- Trembling, shaking, or sweating
- Difficulty concentrating or "going blank"
- Upset stomach or nausea
- Shortness of breath or feeling like you can't catch your breath
- Avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety
- Worry about upcoming performance situations days or weeks in advance
- Feeling like anxiety prevents you from reaching your full potential
- Performance anxiety during sexual encounters affecting intimacy
When to seek treatment: If anxiety in specific situations regularly impairs your performance, causes distress, or leads you to avoid important opportunities