Telephone Anxiety/panic

[Emcee126]

I get terrified when the phone rings(actually its a beep in an earpiece). all of a sudden I can't speak, my tongue gets stiff, and my heart feels as if its going to jump out of my chest. At times i can control it most times I can't. It's embarrassing because when I can speak it starts as stammer and stutter and it makes me dread having to answer the phone because im afraid of embarring myself especially around co-workers who can answer the phone without any issues. I've looked this up and can't find too much about it so it's hard to get people to relate to it. Has anyone heard of this?

[Gladys]

Dear Emcee126,

There's an article by wikipedia.org that gives your disorder the name of 'telephone phobia.' The article lists an organisation who can help as a 'listening service.' I think that means you don't have to talk to them when you call.

I know you feel alone with this fear, but anxiety generally is just a fear of fear, whatever the phobia may be. So I understand how you feel.

Best wishes.

[fallingthin]

i have this same issue

[Love UrAliens]

I have the same issue too! I hatehatehate speaking on the phone. I am just feel so uneasy and shaky and I feel I am speaking completely rubbish and I feel so bad afterward.
I prefer if people SMS me, and sometimes I even just do not answer to the phone even if I see somebody is calling, and just send them "Sorry, can not talk, please send an SMS" SMS later so I do not have to speak on the phone.
Sometimes even writing SMS is too hard, and I just skip replying to them for hours.
But speaking on the phone is the hardest.

[jacques]

I cannot answer the telephone or even open my front door ! It's so pathetic.

[djfunnyboi79]

Hi there
Hope you're well. I USED to have this but it went away gradually the more times I did it. Working in a busy lab meant I had no choice but to answer the telephone if no one else could and at the start I had all the issues that you've described. Repeatedly doing it thought helped but it was a VERY gradual process. You WILL get there, trust me. Now I answer the phone with no issues and in fact even enjoy it! Good luck! :)

[DecoDame]

I have the same issues with talking on the phone. I'd rather someone text me. I don't mind talking to someone I know, but even then...I feel like I have to keep it short. The worst is when a job wants to have a phone interview! I can't even count how many times I've screwed up a phone interview because I'm trying not to freak out. I don't know what it is! When I have to call someone...I procrastinate forever. I wish I could stop it, but I don't know how! So frustrating!!

[Demarco]

This is going to sound weird, but work with me. When I have issues like this, I try to just overload myself with the issue, and then I get used to it. I know it sounds scary, but start calling people. It doesn't matter for what. Call people instead of texting or e-mailing. Call local stores and ask what their hours are and if they have certain products. Call your family just to talk.

I think the anxiety people have with phones is that they won't know what to say. Or they'll sound stupid. So, it's a lack of confidence. But when you expose yourself to the situation over and over again, it isn't scary anymore. You realize it's pretty easy to deal with. I especially like calling stores and asking simple questions, because you can't really screw it up and if you somehow do, you'll never talk to this person again, which is nice. Then building up to having important conversations is easier.

[TheEditor]

The feelings you described indicate a panic attack - part of it is the adrenaline in your brain pumping full tilt into your system and forcing your body into fight/flight mode.

As for speaking on the phone, that's a big part of what I do professionally. I speak to people. Think about what you want to say, take a deep breath, and say it. Especially on the phone, they can't see you. You can be kicking your legs or scratching your arms or something else (I often do puzzles when its a boring conversation) and they won't know.

Keep in mind that you can control your body and nothing bad will happen because of the telephone conversation.

[alankay]

Emcee, if the stammering/stuttering is the main issue have you ever considered a beta blocker? Propranolol might be very helpful. It's better for stammering then atenolol since it's not cardioselective(your dr. will need to prescribe it and likely knows about it and prescribes it for similar issues for others). I use it for speeches/tense interviews. I used to work in a call center and it helped because it will reduce any shaking the other person on the line will hear. Then you'll develop more confidence and help you get desensitized to all this. Ask your dr. about maybe a trail of say 20mg to 30mg about an hour before starting work and having to answer calls. No side effects at 20 mgs I bet. Also maybe a course of an ssri will reduce your self consciousness so again you get desensitized to this all. The taper off/drop the meds. Message me any time.

[alankay]

Emcee, I'm assuming you don't have asthma or any heart problems/blood pressure issues.:)

[nowglad]

If I feel anxious on the phone, I have put it on speaker. I worked on house chores or some other task. I then begin to feel more at ease as my attention is on something other than my own voice.

[nik08]

You are not alone! I deal with the same issue. My husband doesn't understand it at all. I hate to call and make appointments or even answer my telephone unless it's someone I'm close with. And sometimes whenever I get off of the telephone, I feel like I've made a complete idiot out of myself. I don't know why.

[BeachLife]

I feel the same way! I won't talk on the phone with anyone unless they are family or close friends. I would
rather text than have someone call me. I hate when people ask me why I don't answer the phone.
I don't want to tell them that it's because I am worried I will not have anything to say or that I might
end up making myself look stupid. I hate it!