Hey, I was there when I first started out in my career. I went from material control to marketing because I was "bored". Well, I didn't think the requirments was to speak in public.
Before I gave my first presentation in front of the management team (4 people), I threw up from the night before up until I walked into the confernece room. White as a sheet, bags under my eyes, knees knocking together (am I painting a good picture for you yet). I stumbled and stuttered my words out even though I knew them like the alphabet. When it was over, I hugged the toilet like it was the only love I had in my life.
From there, I learned how to deal with my feelings. I had to because this was going to be a part of my life for the rest of my career. This is what I learned:
1. You are the expert. If not, you wouldn't be standing there.
2. Perpare. Not only on the topic you are covering, but also try to get others to give you ideas of what type of questions might be asked and prepare.
3. Look good. Internal confidence builder. If you think you look good, your confidence level raises 500%.
4. Humble. If someone asks you a question out of the blue and you don't know the answer, it is not a sin to say that, and don't appologize. Take their name and number and when you get the answer, you will get back with them. (if others in the crowd ask for you to get back wtih them, pass a sheet around asking them to put their phone or email address on it, and you will get back with them)
5. Defuse confrontations quickly. This is tough, but you are in control, not them. If you feel that they are out of control, they are invading on your territory. Shut them up or move on.
6. Gratitude. Thank your audience for their attention. They were patient with you, and you hopefully gave them something that interested them.
It took me about a year to develop a form or comfort. It took me another year to build the anti-fear factor to talk in front of 20 people. It took me another year to be able to speak in an auditorium (100 ). After that, give me a microphone and I will talk about anything that I believe in to as many people as you want. The key words are "anything that I believe in".
It is not how many people you speak to, it is the message you are trying to get across. If you believe in it, you can say anything to any number of people.
Most importantly - no medication - just determination and realization, this is what I have to do for a living.
Soap box has left the building.