Anxiety

You may have performance anxiety.

Performance anxiety is specific to a particular activity, like public speaking, acting, or being in a musical performance. In a sense, it is a form of social anxiety. But sometimes the anxiety-provoking performance is relatively private, such as taking a test.

This anxiety may be a small issue if you are never required to do the activity you fear, but it can be devastating if it blocks your progress in life. A lawyer who can't appear in court or an executive who can't make a public presentation may find it hard to advance. An otherwise talented artist may never succeed if performance undermines the ability to play or act.

This type of anxiety is usually very treatable with either psychotherapy, a medication (sometimes taken just prior to a performance), or both.