Phone fear

[tasha]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post this in but I thought it tied neatly with social phobia....

I was just wondering if anyone else suffers from a fear of phones. I really hate them! I dread the phone ringing and try at best to avoid ringing people (I tend to text message and email). If I do have to use the phone, it takes quite a while for me to build up the courage to use it and I spend ages rehearsing what I'm going to say.

I thought this might be linked to social phobia seeing as the main fear is speaking to people rather than the actual phone itself. Sorry if this sounds very muddled - I wasn't sure how best to describe it!

Thank you for reading

[florence]

Hi Tasha

I can't relate to it myself, but I know and heard of some other people who do. And they have social phobia . It doesn't sound muddled at all, makes perfect sense to me.
You'll find a few peeps here who have similar problems.
Take care for now.
Florence.

** Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.**

[carlin]

Hi Tasha,
I can relate to what you are going through, i have suffered with anxiety for a few years now, and recently dislike making any important phone calls, not too bad if someone rings me, also if the doorbell rings that scares me too, it is definately a part of anxiety, i've found the more un-important calls i make seems to get me into practice for the one's that really matter, if not i ask hubby to do it! I can promise it will pass with the more practice you have, i know that has been the case with me. anxiety pops up in all different ways. take care and keep in touch.

[seh1980]

hi Tasha,

Lots of people with social phobia really dislike using the phone so you are not strange!! One thing you could do is practice. Get someone you know to give you a call at a certain time and do that with different people. This will prepare you much better for the unexpected calls..

Sarah

[Karen]

Hi Tasha

Yes I have exactly the same fear as you due to social phobia. Up until a few months ago I would avoid phoning anyone or even answering my phone at home if I didn't know who was calling. I too relied on email and text, and still do to a large extent.

What helped me was having someone from the forum call me at a pre-arranged time and keep doing this daily. With regular practise I felt comfortable talking to her and then tried with someone else.

It is still not easy until I know the person I am talking to fairly well and takes talking to them several times before I start to feel more comfortable, but practising and getting used to speaking does help.

At the moment I have let the phone practising slip a bit due to other issues but really need to pick this up again. I still find it very difficult to make phone calls and have to do it on the spur of the minute or else I start panicking about it and put it off. However, I now usually answer my phone without as many problems as before.

It is possible to tackle this problem, although I know how difficult it is. With work and support it can be done.



Karen



It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.

[sal]

Hi Tasha

Lots of people suffer like you do. I dont mind talking on the phone but when i feel anxious i will do anything to avoid it and use my mobile to text. So i can appreciate how you feel.

Love Sal xx


Dont mess up the best things in your life, just because at present you are unsure who you are.

[tasha]

Thanks for your advice everyone! It's good to know that I'm not the only one out there that has problems using the phone it feels a little strange trying to explain to people the problems that I have!

[andrew]

hi tasha,

i used to really struggle on the phone, even to the degree of having a little anxiety attack sometimes.

i was gonna suggest you try 'no panic' which is self help anxiety charity that does a few phone based support thingys, i found them helpful and alot of others have posted good things about them.

anyway you take care ... andrew

[pips]

Hi Tasha,

I have a real fear of the phone as well! I never mentioned it before as I thought I was the only one. Plus I felt stupid being afraid of the phone! Sorry you suffer to!

Now I force myself to answer it and make calls or else it will get the better of me. I just won't go for a job in telesales! I don't think I'll last 5 minutes! LOL

Take Care,

Keep practising.

Love PIP'S XX

[EmmaJane]

Hi Tasha, no its not muddled, makes perfect sense to me. Im not very good when it comes to meeting people and socialising. Regarding the phone, Im ok if i know the person, but I dread confrontation, and cant cancels appointments etc. Get my husband to do it.

Emails are no problem and even writing on here, but a phone conversation ( scary thought ). I wouldnt know what to say and would be worried incase I said something wrong.

Cant really give you any advice, but just wanted to let you know, your not on your own



Feel free to PM me, if you want to talk.

Emma xx

Keep focused, keep positive.