Phone phobia

[aries10]

For as long as I can remember I’ve been afraid to call people or even answer my phone. I’ve been working from home the last 3.5 months and have been completely isolated. I’ve wanted to call a friend/s but my phone phobia always stops me. It’s like I’m afraid of being rejected or I need to know exactly what to say. I just exhaust myself. I don’t call anyone and then I feel lonely and depressed. Can anyone else relate to this? Any advice?

[kittenkisses91]

I totally have this too! I try to think of what I’ll say before calling. Like a script. It helps. Can you text your friends? Or email? That’s easier for me, and it gives people time to respond when they are free so it’s not like your disrupting them by calling. I also have to talk on the phone a lot at work and that has helped my fear a bit.

[Hidden]

Yea when my seretonin levels are low, I cant even think straight on the phone or in person.It's like I forget what I want to say and cant respond quickly. It's like my brain goes completely dumb and I struggle with just basic conversations. Then I get even more anxious about how dumb and insecure I sound. It is a nightmare.

[Hidden]

Yes, I do not like talking on the phone at all. I didn't even answer the phone to talk to my therapist twice, now he stopped calling. This girl I've been trying to get via text message for the longest time finally tried to call and talk to me and I couldn't even make myself answer the phone and I made up some excuse like I was mad at her or something. Everybody knows, if you want to talk to me, text me, but I will not answer the phone. I feel good after I do muster up the courage to talk in the phone though, but then I replay everything that was said and hope that I said everything just right. I don't have much advice, but you might just practice with somebody you feel comfortable with. Like your friend you said. Just tell them how you have this fear and that will help ease the tension. Practice until you get better, because it does feel good after you do. I need to work on it.

[Hidden]

I would say you could call me and practice with me, but it would probably be a pretty silent phone call, if I even answered. lol Not trying to poke fun, just letting you know that I get it.

[Hidden]

And when I do call people I'm relieved when they don't answer as I sit there counting how many times it rings, hoping they don't answer. After 3 rings, I'm out!