[Pierro]

I think I have a phone phobia. Is there such a thing. Don't get me wrong, I love my phone and would not be without it but I always have a meltdown when it rings and I very rarely answer it. What is that all about. Texting is fine. Maybe it's the talking that bothers me. Is there anybody like me out there? I would love to hear your take on it. Many thanks.

[LadyShadow]

I have something similar but very weird. I talk on the phone with my ex-boyfriend every day, or every other day, but when someone else wants to talk on the phone I get sick to my stomach?????

Maybe I'm just used to that one person?

I totally understand. I let my phone ring too, and don't answer it, unless its my ex.

I think there might be such a thing as Phone Phobia. Should be interesting to hear what everyone else thinks.

[Blue_Bird]

I feel the same way. I hate talking on the phone, it makes me so nervous. I had a few months when my anxiety was really bad where I had a panic attack every time the phone rang. I'm trying to get over it though it's hard

its all part of anxiety. part of it for me was getting more anxious if I had to wait, which made phone conversations worse as I was waiting with every ring. I would stutter and couldn't speak properly which made things worse, plus I would forget what I wanted to say and even if I wrote it down, I still got confused. the best thing ive found is trying propranolol beta blockers, which is something even surgeons take apparently. it just keeps me calm and able to breath properly during phone calls

[Mustkeepjob32]

Sometimes I have phone phobias. Like for instance if it someone I haven't talked to in a while, or work (usually calling to lectura me on absences) or something else, I am scared to talk on the phone. I think it goes hand in hand with my state of being. Sincé I'm often depressed, in a shell, I expect that's why I have such a reaction to the phone.

[optimize990h]

My problem is that I isolate myself. It are the phone calls from the outside to me I get anxious about. Especially if I am not expecting a call. I feel in control if I phone someone. I only expect one or two social calls out. The rest of my calls out are not social calls and I find them more stressful than social calls.

So, for me, I need a sense of control to help me reduce the anxiety. I am already on propranolol for something else, so that may help too.

Originally Posted by Pierro

I think I have a phone phobia. Is there such a thing. Don't get me wrong, I love my phone and would not be without it but I always have a meltdown when it rings and I very rarely answer it. What is that all about. Texting is fine. Maybe it's the talking that bothers me. Is there anybody like me out there? I would love to hear your take on it. Many thanks.

[A Red Panda]

I freak out on the phone. I can't make phone calls easily... it takes me ages of working myself up to do it. I am getting better at that though and can usually make the call within a day or two.

I also don't call friends. It just feels like I'm intruding on them if I phone them, and I get anxious staying on the phone.

Answering the phone really depends. If I'm expecting a call I'll answer. If I'm not expecting a call I am likely to not answer the phone even if I'm at home....

[avlady]

I hate calling doctors, and also people, i feel like i'm bothering them, and i get anxious about what i'm saying i think most of my friends know this as i stutter during the conversation, and i basically consider myself to be a sounding board and people know it because i'm a good listener and others know this.

[unlockingsanity]

Count me in on hating the phone as well. I rarely answer it unless it's my brother or Mom calling. It takes a lot of courage to call using the phone, even if I know I'll be getting an answering machine.

[shortandcute]

I don't like using the phone, either. I have anxiety and social phobia anyway. But one time I had a job where I had to be on the phone all the time, and I always had such a hard time; I was a phone solicitor and I had a lot of people screaming at me, hanging up on me, cussing me out, etc. I used to owe a lot of money all the time and I was always getting harrassing phone calls from the companies. Plus, when my husband was still alive, and before we broke up, every time he "disappeared" for few days, I would get these wierd, obscene creepy phone calls (I later figured out it was him).

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

Same problem here; it's very difficult avoiding talking to people like the bank, housing people, Virgin Media, phone company, my case worker, GP appointments, etc. I tend to ask my dad to ring people for me, and he happily does it, thankfully.

[Skywoulf]

cant say I "Hate" the phone, but I do get anxious when it rings.......

another bill collector wanting money I cannot pay?
doctor calling to tell me I got something serious?
estranged mother calling to extol the virtues of her husband?

these and more are the fears I have when the phone rings
my coping mechanizim is to "play" secretary. ask who they are and for whom they are calling. if I don't like the vibe, or answer I simply say that I am not home, can I take a message. most times they hang up at that point.

[stuck in a rut]

I hate talking on the phone, especially if there are other people around. I feel like they are judging me (both the person on the other end and the people around me). I mostly prefer to communicate by email or text. At least then I can reread what I wrote a million times before I hit send, so I don't sound like a complete idiot.

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