You get nervous when attention is on you potentially due to negative past experiences that have created a fear of being judged or scrutinized.
The Role of Negative Experiences
Negative experiences play a significant role in developing nervousness when you are the center of attention. According to the reference, certain events can contribute to this feeling:
- Bullying and Criticism: Experiencing bullying or frequent criticism can make you fearful of being noticed and verbally attacked again. This creates an association between attention and negative consequences.
- Public Embarrassment: If you've been embarrassed in public or during a performance, you might develop a fear of similar situations happening again. The memory of the embarrassment triggers anxiety when attention is focused on you.
In essence, these negative experiences condition you to perceive attention as a threat, leading to nervousness and anxiety.
