Stage fright in musicians: a psychodynamic perspective

Stage fright is a mystifying and unnerving experience for many performing musicians, and it often impedes professional and personal fulfillment in careers. However, when some performers seek psychological treatment, it is not unusual for them to wish for a quick cure for a problem that is complex and overdetermined. Using psychoanalytic theory and a case example, the author illustrates how stage fright is related to an individual's life history and how its symptoms are the manifestation of complex unconscious processes. Questions are raised about problems that arise in treating performers.