Phone anxious 101

[yogajourney]

Anyone else struggling with social anxiety have trouble speaking on the phone? I’ve noticed that the more stressed I am the more anxious I get and the more panic I feel when I pick up the phone to speak to someone I don’t know. Help

[Isinatra]

Oh yes. Sometimes that phone feels like a hundred pounds to lift. ❤️🏄‍♀️

[Fearoffear]

I procrastinate because I dread even calling out. My son's nurse always says ok take a deep breath and slow down. I talk a mile a minute when I'm anxious. I now grab a warm or cold drink depending on weather and I put some low meditation on and it relaxes me enough that my mind is the one to say pause for a sip. It is very frustrating to feel anxious when the phone rings. Hope it gets better for you. Gentle hugs 🤗🤗

[Isinatra in reply to Fearoffear]

Thank you Fearoffear. Yes, depending on my level of anxiety before the phone rings, depends on how I react to the ring. Paying bills electronically over the phone was a nightmare, even though a human wasn’t involved. Changing my ring tone to something meditative sounding helped with the trigger of incoming calls. Things are better now because my anxiety is better. Sometimes I still feel like I want to bolt and run when on the phone and like you, thank goodness for online communication. When I first joined HU and got the courage to reply, I would break out in a cold sweat and get chest pains. As you can tell now, I’m a bit of a chatterbox myself. 😁Time and repetitiveness is a big helper. Not every time I use the phone now, I think Armageddon will happen. 😉❤️

[Agora1]

yogajourney, you are not alone with the feeling of answering a phone call.I agree with Fearoffear in that we tend to talk a mile a minute and forget to

breathe. I always felt trapped when someone called. How would I end the

call if they didn't. My hand would grab the phone so tightly, my wrist and fingers

would go numb. I'd find myself holding my breath in anticipation.

Just the sound of the phone ringing would get my adrenaline rushing. So I was off

to a negative start. It didn't make a difference as to who it was. Actually talking with

family was even worse that by the time I got off the phone, I would feel lightheaded

and dry mouth.

Once I learned to listen to the person and not feel I had to do all the talking, I was

able to remind myself to breathe. Also reminding myself to drop my shoulders down

and relax and hold the phone lightly. Who would believe that a phone call could be so

stressful? Only another person with Anxiety issues.

Typing my messages on the computer are a god send to me. I have time to relax and

breathe while I express my views. But even on the computer, I am long winded lol

Breathe Yoga xx

[Hidden]

Yes. And I thank everything holy for email! 😊

But seriously, I understand what you mean. I even get menu order panic in a drive-thru.

[TXnurse429]

I'm the exact same! If I can get around having to speak to someone, whether it means using automated agents, chatting online, or having my husband speak for me, I will do it! I've always been like this!

[Kainan]

Yeah I definitely get that. I tend to stutter more on the phone. And for some reason I have to change my voice a little to sound "chipper" on the phone. But because they can't see me, I can slow down and take it easier

[Dolphin14]

I hate the phone. I have the same feelings as everyone else.

I've had two instances in my life where the phone came with such life changing bad news that it's actually a trigger for me when it rings. I'm getting better with that but a ring would send me into high anxiety.

Luckily my friends and family understand this.

I love your name I love yoga

🐬

[Woodhouse16]

It's very rare I will ring someone even family. They have to ring me it's not that I'm being unsociable it's just how I feel about making the step to call someone.