Renée Fleming, an acclaimed American opera singer once said, "I have had a very difficult time with stage fright; it undermines your well-being and peace of mind, and it can also threaten your livelihood." I wonder: can this poet have a fear of ... writing?
Actually, yes. According to phobiasource.com, it is called Graphophobia which is, in part, an overwhelming and irrational fear of writing, wherein "sufferers may doubt their ability to write well." ... especially when writing to the public. Wikipedia.
For the past several months, I have tensed up each time I've tried to compose a new post for this blog, and the longer I put it off, the more anxious I become. It truly feels a great deal like stage fright.
Now, writer's block I understand, having experienced that many times, but this is something quite different from merely not knowing what to write about or how to proceed with a piece I'm working on.
No, this is more of an impedance to even beginning the writing process. I have many ideas to write about, and I keep notes on possible topics to peruse against the dry times. That is not this.
The symptoms of a Graphophobic vary, "but when confronted with fear, 'sufferers' tend to perspire, become anxious, become nauseated, and may display other symptoms of anxiety." Wikipedia
My symptoms aren't quite so intense; I simply freeze up, and soon abandon the whole idea of writing in favor of almost any other activity ... hence these occasional gaps in my blog postings.
So far, I've found no data on the number of sufferers, but the causes also vary, being specific to the affected individual. However, I did stumble upon some avenues of treatment that may show promise.
Among these are:
Psychotherapy, or "talk therapy," with a licensed Psychotherapist.
Finding and interacting with a support group.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, to solve current problems and change unhealthy behavior.
Relaxation techniques, to help with stress management.
Fortunately for me, my husband proposed that I try to write about my troubles with this blog and see if anything helpful surfaces. Well, writing for myself is not at all like writing a blog for others to read.
His suggested therapy worked! I had forgotten what a wonderful therapy writing truly is. And, now I have yet another blog entry to post. Hopefully there'll be no more Writer's Stage Fright here!
Image: www.theguardian.com
Actually, yes. According to phobiasource.com, it is called Graphophobia which is, in part, an overwhelming and irrational fear of writing, wherein "sufferers may doubt their ability to write well." ... especially when writing to the public. Wikipedia.
For the past several months, I have tensed up each time I've tried to compose a new post for this blog, and the longer I put it off, the more anxious I become. It truly feels a great deal like stage fright.
Now, writer's block I understand, having experienced that many times, but this is something quite different from merely not knowing what to write about or how to proceed with a piece I'm working on.
No, this is more of an impedance to even beginning the writing process. I have many ideas to write about, and I keep notes on possible topics to peruse against the dry times. That is not this.
The symptoms of a Graphophobic vary, "but when confronted with fear, 'sufferers' tend to perspire, become anxious, become nauseated, and may display other symptoms of anxiety." Wikipedia
My symptoms aren't quite so intense; I simply freeze up, and soon abandon the whole idea of writing in favor of almost any other activity ... hence these occasional gaps in my blog postings.
So far, I've found no data on the number of sufferers, but the causes also vary, being specific to the affected individual. However, I did stumble upon some avenues of treatment that may show promise.
Among these are:
Psychotherapy, or "talk therapy," with a licensed Psychotherapist.
Finding and interacting with a support group.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, to solve current problems and change unhealthy behavior.
Relaxation techniques, to help with stress management.
Fortunately for me, my husband proposed that I try to write about my troubles with this blog and see if anything helpful surfaces. Well, writing for myself is not at all like writing a blog for others to read.
His suggested therapy worked! I had forgotten what a wonderful therapy writing truly is. And, now I have yet another blog entry to post. Hopefully there'll be no more Writer's Stage Fright here!
Image: www.theguardian.com
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