I know it can sound silly to some but I have anxiety, I used to have regular crippling panic attacks, but I haven't had one in about three months, but my most anxious time is phone calls. the receptionist called and said my doctor wants a phone convo with me (she didn't say what abt), I said I would rather see him in person but she said that would take up too much time, so by then I was very anxious and just agreed to the phone call which she booked for Friday, but I don't know if I can manage it. will they be ok with it if I explain about my anxiety? I know some people don't understand phone call panic but it can make me dizzy, and sometimes I simply refuse to answer the phone cos I cant manage it.

[gayleggg]

Yes, I would try to explain it to them. It can't hurt and they might be able to fit you in ,in person.

[wisedude]

If you have a specific phobia (such as phone calls), avoiding what you are scared of acts to reinforce the anxiety.

What are you worried about that could happen on the phone? How can somebody hurt you over the phone? What is particular are you worried about regarding your doctor talking to you on the phone?

[Dan208]

I know exactly how you feel. I have severe phone phobia (unless I'm talking to my wife), and it seems like no amount of talking on the phone has helped me. I also prefer face-to-face speaking, as strange as it may seem. Definitely bring this up with your doctor.

Ive decided im gonna try to take the call. He is a nice guy and so if it gets too much, i'll just tell him. he's always been supportive of my anxiety and recently said he has been affected himself.

i've been here too many times (the phone thing)

like 10 or 20 minits before the call i just can't do anything... and i mean nothing. just sit their and shake- and once they call, they are usually the one doing the talking... i won't say much- if anything

[PerfectionObsession]

How did the call go? Good I hope!

I have had phone anxiety for too many years now...

I hate talking on the phone. I only do it when I REALLY have to. Strangely it is answering the call or making the call that is the hardest for me, so I compulsively procrastinate or avoid doing either at all costs, though once I am connected with someone, while still very uncomfortable and awkward, I can get through the conversation. However I then usually ruminate on the conversation afterwards for hours and cause myself to stress out. I communicate with friends and family almost solely by text messaging and with business colleagues by email. That can frustrate some people a lot! I DO make ONE exception for my dyslexic friend because texting is difficult for her and that makes her feel stupid.
Once I went over 1 year not checking any voicemails. You would think if I was not answering the phone, I would at least have the sense to check the message that was left by the caller later, but nope. I finally had to force myself to do it because missing important messages started wrecking complete havoc in my personal life! Luckily my co-worker didn't mind checking our shared professional mailbox for the both of us at work or I would have been screwed!

I know it's not quite the same as your panic symptoms, but I do empathize with how crippling phone issues can be! It can make a professional and/or personal life much more stressful than necessary! I have just started therapy for the first time in almost 15 years, so maybe I will be free of this frustrating anxiety/compulsion of mine!