How does the brain respond to the fear of judgement?

Do you sometimes find yourself unable to express what you’re thinking?

Do you feel like the words just won’t come out, or they come out wrong?

Do you feel yourself blushing or even trembling when you express a contradictory opinion?

In these situations, it’s likely that you fear being judged and, as a result, you’re unable to express yourself assertively.

To understand what’s happening inside our brain during these moments, it’s interesting to remember that thousands of years ago we had to belong to a group to survive, one person alone didn’t last long in the harsh wilderness. Indeed, at the time, being rejected represented a real threat to our survival. Today, our brain, which is geared towards helping us to remain alive by avoiding potential threats, retains this ancient information that we need to be liked and accepted by the other members of the group. As a result, when we’re feeling judged, our brain detects a threat of rejection and does what it needs to do to protect us from this danger.

What’s going on in my brain?

So, let’s now look more closely at what exactly happens to our brain when we’re feeling judged.

• The Amygdala, otherwise known as the reptilian brain, is activated. This is the oldest part of the brain and is responsible for 90% of decision making. The amygdala deals with processing emotional reactions, such as fear and anxiety and it also controls the fight or flight response (see my article). When this part of the brain is activated, feelings of vulnerability, stress and fear of rejection are triggered. 

Do you become nervous about speaking in public in front of a large audience or expressing your opinion in meetings? Do you feel yourself on the defensive or wanting to escape the situation? 

This is due to the activation of the Fight or Flight Response, which prepares your body to cope with perceived threats (by fighting or fleeing), even if they’re emotional or social rather than physical. Your amygdala is actually trying to protect you from the “danger”, albeit in a disadvantageous way!

• The Prefrontal Cortex becomes inhibited. This is the area of the brain responsible for decision-making, planning, and impulse control. Feeling judged leads to stress and anxiety, which in turn inhibits your prefrontal cortex, then making it harder to think clearly or take spontaneous decisions. 

Do you find yourself at a loss for words when you have to speak up spontaneously? Or forgetting what you want to say during oral presentations?

This is because your fear of what people might think of you causes your prefrontal cortex to become repressed and, as a result, you start to doubt what you’re saying and you become less sure of yourself.

• The fear of judgement triggers your brain’s stress response system, leading to the release of cortisol, a stress hormone, in your body. 

Do you feel your heart racing or you start sweating? This is because cortisol increases your level of anxiety.

The release of small amounts of cortisol actually helps you to have enough adrenaline to perform to your best capacity. However, too much cortisol provokes negative stress and leads to undesirable symptoms such as trembling legs, excessive sweating, loss of memory, blushing, etc.

Undesirable consequences

Moreover, the repercussions of regularly feeling judged can be a reduction in your self-esteem and an increase in self-doubt. Feeling in some way inferior or less important makes you question your worth, skills, or decisions and you may also engage in more self-comparison to others. It then becomes more and more difficult to speak up assertively (especially if your point of view is in opposition to the others’) or to express your needs and desires.

In the long term, constant feelings of being judged can lead to chronic stress. This negatively impacts brain structures like the hippocampus (involved in memory) and may contribute to mental health issues like anxiety or depression.

The question then is: what can we do to avoid the fear of judgement and the negative consequences it has on our health and overall fulfilment?

Five tips to prevent this

In a previous blog article (click here), I share with you 5 tips from my toolbox as a Public Speaking and assertive communication coach to help you overcome the fear of judgement.

I also strongly recommend working on the following 5 areas of personal development so that you gain more self-confidence in your Public Speaking, your assertive communication and your global well-being in both your professional and personal life:

• Build up your self-esteem by understanding your true worth and value.
• Gain self-confidence by becoming aware of your qualities and true capacities.
• Learn to say “no” to unreasonable demands.
• Learn to set and respect your boundaries.
• Take a step back from stressful situations by learning breathing and positive visualisation techniques.

Get in touch to find the solution that’s right for you

Professional coaching will help you to know yourself better and reach the objectives that, today, seem unattainable.

How about getting in touch to schedule a free video call? 

We’ll discuss your objectives and what’s currently holding you back from achieving them. We’ll explore together how my specific coaching approach can help you to reach the professional and personal fulfilment you truly deserve.

Why not give yourself the chance to release your inner voice and achieve your true potential?