Reddit mentions of It's the Way You Say It: Becoming Articulate, Well-Spoken, and Clear

On top of the comments here these two books help breakdown mental and physical components of public speaking and how to overcome almost any obstacle:

http://www.amazon.com/Its-Way-You-Say-Well-spoken/dp/1609947436

http://www.amazon.com/The-Charisma-Myth-Personal-Magnetism/dp/1591845947

Hi there. I was diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder back in college (10 years ago), and I could tell it was much more than just shyness or introversion. I've always been a quiet awkward kid growing up, so I think genetics and my sheltered upbringing might've caused it.

Symptoms: when I'm with people I end up being all quiet and awkward, too. I tend to smile a lot and my mind goes blank or perhaps into a panic mode. It felt as if words were stuck behind a locked door and I could not reach for my true personality.

People and dates have said I seem a lot more confident chatting online and expressing myself, but in person I'm like a statue or limp doll. People asked me too many favors because I was afraid of saying no or standing up for myself. My voice was lost in one of those locked doors.

Getting Help: I've tried cognitive behavioral therapy and my doc also prescibed Lexapro but I only used it until 2011 (side effects include insomnia and other stuff..)

Recently, I've gone to see a therapist again (I havent gone in 5 years). She said it's very good that i'm self-aware, brave to open up and be vulnerable, and really motivated to change (secret: I get 3 free sessions before my insurance resets, so I was like, why not?)

I still do struggle with SAD, but my friends say I've improved much over the years.

I think what helped me the most is not the drug or the therapy, but the actual self-awareness and commitment to change. Not to change to please others, but to change so I could express myself better. To say the things I mean to say. To be eloquent and confident so that no one would misunderstand or mistreat me.

So I put myself in social situations. In college I joined a lot of clubs, met all kinds of people (albeit I would be the quiet one, but I made friends with other shy people!). Since my 20s, I've gone on many dates. A lot. Endured tons of rejections, but these experiences just taught me what to do and what not to do..

I listened to some good audiobooks..
It's the Way You Say It: Becoming Articulate, Well-spoken, and Clear
http://www.amazon.com/Its-Way-You-Say-Well-spoken/dp/1609947436

The Charisma Myth: How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism
http://www.amazon.com/Charisma-Myth-Science-Personal-Magnetism/dp/1591845947/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1450833579&sr=1-1&keywords=the+charisma+myth

Nowadays I'm much more confident in my own skin. I found strategies on how to talk to strangers, coworkers, and often with friends, I'm the center of attention. But if you met me in high school or in my early college years, you'd probably think i'm the weird snobby wallflower.

Sometimes I still am. But hey, we're all works in progress, right? I just take things day by day, trying to improve myself with all the help available out there.

I guess in most things in life, it all starts with accepting yourself. Then determine what the problem is, see if there are solutions to fix it, and seek help from the experts. (side story: I almost broke a new watch, struggling the unlatch the deployment mechanism. Took me 45 mins and almost threw it out. Then I checked YouTube and the answer was in the very first video)

Yeah, and she also has a book called "It's the way you say it."
http://www.amazon.com/Its-Way-You-Say-Well-spoken/dp/1609947436

Otherwise get a voice coach if necessary, and practice practice practice. Once you get a better appreciation of how things work, learn to consciously implement what you've learned on a daily basis.

On a related note, when i was trying to improve my french accent I read out loud and watched a lot of tv and films in french so that i could mimic what they were saying to the point where the accent and mannerisms of that language became second nature.

I'm ashamed to say I own this book but haven't read it yet. Anyway, It's the Way You Say It came highly recommended to me for this subject.