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Most entertainers and performers will tell you that "being a little bit afraid" leads to a better performance. Sadly, some individuals cannot enjoy and utilise this 'perfomance edge', and instead suffer freezing, corpsing, extreme anxiety and panic attacks. The nervousness of the completely novice or an unknown situation does not apply to stage fright - it happens in those situations where you would least expect to have it.

In almost all cases, unexpected stage fright 'just happened' to even the most experienced and seasoned of our clients - for example models, actors, singers, barristers, dancers, motivational speakers, musicians - who suddenly and inexplicably develop a real terror, triggered by an adrenalin response - either flight, fight, or freeze.

The classic symptoms can include: Fearful anticipation, fluttering or pounding heart, trembling in the hands and legs, diarrhoea, tics and twitches, fear of failure, desire to escape, dry mouth, attacks of 'nerves', stuttering and amnesia.

Often, we have found this to be due to an imagined or real 'difference' in that particular performance moment. This could be a new setting, last minute changes to material, challenging audiences, slight illness, times of stress, trauma and grief, or even resistance and boredom.

Resorting to drugs (such as beta-blockers) and alcohol to deal with this, although helpful, can often lead to dependency and other problems and issues.

Obviously, where a career is at stake then this needs putting right immediately, and we are happy to be as flexible as possible in seeing you, often in a work environment or just prior to a testing situation, for maximum effect and reassurance.