[LovelyLovely27]

Do you ever get anxiety having to call people to make appointments, call for a cab, or just about anything you don't want to do? I get extreme anxiety

[marvin_pa]

Yes. Aside from regular social anxiety, telephone calls are worse because you lack the visual feedback cues that you get from face-to-face conversation. On top of that, just waiting for the call to connect builds anxiety. I try to do as much as I can, on-line or by text.

[Shazerac]

I don’t know if it’s anxiety or what it is. All I know is that I HAAAAATE making phone calls for appointments etc. like Marvin I try to do it online or by text if that option is available.

[Caro97songs]

Originally Posted by LovelyLovely27

Do you ever get anxiety having to call people to make appointments, call for a cab, or just about anything you don't want to do? I get extreme anxiety

I have extreme anxiety having to call people- even worse than the anxiety I have talking to people in person. The anxiety is more severe when the person is someone that I don't know. All of my life I have had other people call doctor's offices and other professional places for me, but ever since I've turned 18 (I am now 20), I have had to "grow up" and call people on my own, which is very difficult for me. I barely call anyone unless I absolutely have to.

Have you tried any strategies to help with the anxiety? I haven't had much luck finding a solution. The only thing that has helped a bit is starting to chat on the phone with my boyfriend. Talking with him on the phone helped decrease the anxiety a bit.

[Mountaindewed]

I just text people now.

In my late teens I had that problem pretty badly. Even if there were consequences I would avoid making phone calls as much as possible, and very rarely would I answer the phone if someone called.

I can't explain why it created so much fear, but I would just stare at the ringing phone and get tensed up. Afterward I would mentally berate myself for being unable to make myself do it, followed by my parents berating me for having missed answering a call.

Several years ago that fear went away, though I have no clue how or why it disappeared. Phone calls are still uncomfortable, but they aren't fear-inducing. Perhaps it was simply a matter of having done it enough times, causing it to become familiar.

[avlady]

My phone call anxiety was so bad i would do anything to avoid calling businesses, or any other doctors offices or whatever else i used to call. just in the past year i have gotten over it somehow, i think it because i got older, people seem nicer, as i was always afraid the person on the other end would be mean to me. Some people used to be so crabby on the phone which ruined it for the nice ones.

[LovelyLovely27]

Thank you all for responding. Yes, I do find that when I talk to someone over the phone like my mom or boyfriend it gets a little easier to talk to others. I used to live in a group home and when I moved into my own apartment they told me I had to start making calls on my own. It terrified me. Eventually, it got easier but I still get anxiety. Good to know I'm not alone!!!

[Madhuri1]

Originally Posted by LovelyLovely27

Do you ever get anxiety having to call people to make appointments, call for a cab, or just about anything you don't want to do? I get extreme anxiety

Yeah, I hear you. It's worse having to leave a voicemail. ... I've gotten used to calling a cab & mostly it's the same people answering so I'm kinda familiar w/ them & it's not as bad. But having to call somewhere/someone I don't usually talk to is another story

Originally Posted by LovelyLovely27

Do you ever get anxiety having to call people to make appointments, call for a cab, or just about anything you don't want to do? I get extreme anxiety

yes, but I'm slowly getting better at it.

the way I try to look at it is this:

the person I'm phoning to make an appointment with is just that- a person on a phone, who, more than likely, I won't speak to again. they can't hurt me, because they are on a phone line somewhere and can't do anything beyond being abusive on a phone line, and if that happens, I can just hang up

my anxiety is more ringing people I know to check up on them.

a friend of mine just got out of hospital because he has a heart condition, and i've said for weeks I'm going to ring and check on him,

can't do it...

[scatterbrained04]

I have a lot of phone anxiety. Some days it's not very bad, other days it is but I can make myself do it, then some days I can't do it at all. Text is easier, but even some days I struggle with that. Depends, too, on the nature of the call.