Most effective communicators experience an increased level of anxiety prior to an important communication situation. Overly high levels of anxiety, however, can inhibit performance. Many individuals with high levels of communication apprehension have experienced the negative effects of these high levels of anxiety. This negative experience, in turn, reinforces the fear of being in such a situation again. Many people believe that communication apprehension is one of the most common forms of anxiety individuals experience.
Most people experience some anxiety in certain kinds of situations.
Some people feel comfortable in a formal public speaking situation, but feel nervous about speaking in a group discussion. Some feel a generalized anxiety, regardless of the characteristics of the situation. Sometimes anxiety is related to uncertainty about the demands of the situation. We tend to be more anxious about a communication situation if we have difficulty envisioning what we must do, or how people are likely to respond to us. Preparing for the situation can help decrease anxiety, but one must know how to prepare.