[eloquentdisaster]

I have... many panic attacks. Usually, however, they are over more... understandable things. Like financial issues, school issues, jobs, family... the big things in life. The easily overwhelming things. Today, however, I had a panic attack because my phone rang. I have no idea why! I didn't even check the caller ID (looked a while later, and found out it was my friend, ironically enough, the only person I'm ok talking to over the phone). I usually have a fairly high phone anxiety. I even get anxious calling a pizza place. But I've never been so affected by phones.

Ahhhh. I'll be calling my psychiatrist in the morning. But. Blah. Isn't anxiety great?

[hamster-bamster]

I've never head a phone anxiety. In fact, when we were little, my gf and I had a game: we were calling random numbers and chatting up people. And, the funny thing is, we often succeeded! I sometimes do not want to make a customer service call because I know the wait will be horrible, but that is not anxiety, that is just understandable procrastination.

What I do often have is anxiety about opening email messages. It got better with time, but I still sometimes fear what I might see written in a message. Has it ever happened to you?

I can relate...I have phone anxiety. While in the midsts of complete family chaos a few years back, I got to the point where everytime the phone rang, I would feel panic. Actually, any unexpected loud noise would startle me. I finally got to the point where I turned the ringer off at home...and disconnected the doorbell.

...with technology the way it is these days and the vast difference between the generations, phone calls are rarely good news. At least in my experience. And anyone that comes to my home unannounced or without notice, is not welcome.

Hugs to you, R

[MamaKay]

I, too, get nervous every time my phone rings. I'm not sure why. I'm not expecting any scary phone calls. Lol! But, lo and behold, let my phone ring and I jump and can feel my anxiety level bump up a couple of notches. This morning, I had one of the worst panic attacks I have had in a long time. I do not know what triggered it. I was cleaning in the bathroom and was washing my hands when I became aware of a sensation that felt like I couldn't breath in deeply and was feeling faintish. Classic anxiety symptoms, except I wasn't sure why I would be having an anxiety/panic attack, and immediately began to wonder if it was a heart attack. I made it to my cell phone and called my sister, who lives down the street to come sit with me. I opened the door and sat on the floor in front of it to wait for her. By this time, my heart was racing and I was shaking all over. It was very intense, like I hadn't had in a long time, but I kept thinking that it was more anxiety feeling than heart. My sister stayed with me until my husband could get home. As soon as I heard my husbands key in the lock, I felt better. Immediately. Funny how that is. He is my source of security and calm. Anyway, after laughing through "Puss In Boots" and taking a short nap/rest, I feel more like myself again. The worst part of having an attack like that is that it leaves me fearing that it will happen again. Ah! The vicious cycle of anxiety. Never ending.

[eloquentdisaster]

Hamster, I have had anxiety over emails. It usually is more sporadic, not a steady anxiety. Certain emails will make me more anxious than others.

Mamakay, it really is a cycle, isn't it? Ahhh a hard to break one, too.

[kindachaotic]

So very sorry you're struggling, they are awful.
One's that really get me, those that come out of no where.
Then I'm sick rest of the day...
There is one family member & see who it is, I just don't answer phone.
Sad but don't know what else to do. They've so taken advantage of me.
Those days I usually give in to the klonopin...

[unaluna]

i'm a member of this club. it usually takes me 3 months to recover, then they call again. i've got it down to a 2-month recovery period. but once I realize i'm feeling happy and free again, I start anticipating the next call and it messes with my head, I lose my momentum.

[Silent_tsol]

I don't answer my phone 98% of the time. If it's important, they'll leave a message. And then I'll try to figure out a clever way to reply via email. "oh, my service is really crappy, but yes, x will work" : rolls eyes:

Before I got this bad, call id really was a life saver.
I also hate loud noises and my phone lives on vibrate and not On me. Vibrate on the blanket beside me.
And I panic over opening some emails too

[mickeyq]

Hamster, I have had anxiety overHamster, I have had anxiety over phone,Has it ever happened to you? phone,Has it ever happened to you?

[LiveThroughThis]

I used to love to talk on the phone (as a kid/teen), but in my mid 20s I realized I liked talking on the phone, but only once me and the other person got past the, "Hey" "Hey, what's up?" "Not much, you?" "Oh, just watching tv." I HATE that crap! It got to where I'd not answer the phone so the person would leave a message telling me what they wanted, then I'd call them back and bypass the small talk. My uncle used to kid me, "She won't answer, but she'll call right back!"

I also have ppl that will call and not leave a message and it drives me up the wall. Now, with them and ppl in general, I just text my reply, I think that the actual phone conversations somehow stimulate me too much....

Same with emails. Though I have Google mail, so like the threads here, I already know what part of the message is about. I rarely get messages like that though.

[eloquentdisaster]

Silent_Tsol - I almost always have my phone on silent because of that.

LiveThroughThis - I also dislike when people don't leave messages (I also typically just let it go to voicemail) but the messages themselves cause anxiety :P

[LiveThroughThis]

Eloquent, often same here, regarding the messages.