Whenever I ask coding problems during an interview, I emphasize any language at all including pseudocode. And if they still struggle, I ask if they could just

Whenever I ask coding problems during an interview, I emphasize any language at all including pseudocode. And if they still struggle, I ask if they could just walk me through it verbally and we can work out the syntax together. I realize people can still freeze up, but at some point I think there's just no solution to that unless the candidate can produce a significant portfolio. Also, I read your post and it sounds to me like to gained confidence in this area as your coding skills improved, which I don't think is as much a coincidence as you seem to believe.