Performance Anxiety Psychologists near Bethesda, Maryland

Performance anxiety refers to a fear or anxiety that occurs in performance situations or when a person is the central focus of an event. Performance anxiety can affect people in a wide range of situations – actors, sportspeople, or others who perform as a part of their job can experience performance anxiety, as can people planning to give a toast at a wedding or a presentation at work. Performance anxiety often includes both psychological symptoms and physiological ones, such as shortness of breath. It can occur on its own, in the form of a panic attack, or as a symptom of a broader anxiety disorder.

When performance anxiety becomes overwhelming or interferes with everyday life, it can be helpful to seek out a trained mental health professional. Psychologists can help people gain insight into the circumstances that trigger anxiety symptoms and develop strategies for managing the symptoms. This might involve a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach and include elements of exposure therapy to help reduce the anxiety elicited by triggers.

Find psychologists in Bethesda who specialize in performance anxiety below. Psychologists have been vetted by the Zencare team for clinically rigorous, quality care. Visit their profiles to watch an introductory video and book a free initial call to find a good fit!