Romantic Relationship Building Issues

Hi, I'm new to this forum but I'm glad I found it because I'm in a depressing spot so any advice would be wonderful.

I suffer from depression, OCD, anxiety and possibly PTSD. A lot has happened in my family and to me that had an effect, to say the least. Anyway, I say all of this because I have a recurring problem with any type of social relationship--whether friendly or romantic.

Right now I've been talking to this guy that I really like and who really likes me. But, I feel so nervous and terrified about talking to him on the phone so I always prefer we text. Well, I told him he could actually call me but I still have this habit of falling into a dead, empty anxiousness whenever I think of him ringing or when I see the phone ringing. I think I have a phobia of talking on the phone in general because I can hear the voice and inflection but I can't see the facial and body expressions. I have a hard time verbally communicating with anybody over the phone, but relationships are a thousand times worse. I have this block inside of me that I can't get out of. I've literally watched the phone ring, seeing it was him or, in other cases, a friend. I don't know how to get over this and I don't know what's causing this phobia of talking on the phone when I do alright talking face-to-face. No matter what, I always have problems opening up to people and recognizing my own emotions.

I'm really scared that I'm never going to get over this or that I'm going to lose him--and he's a really great guy. But, besides him, I'm afraid of how this will affect my future and how it's affecting me now.

Does anyone have advice/has anyone dealt with this before? Any advice, no matter how honest and straightforward, is highly appreciated.

Thanks,
RileyRonan

Why not practice on a family member?
They're familiar, and maybe you can ask them to pretend to be a friend?

Thanks! That's a really good idea. I'll probably end up giggling and feeling silly, but I bet that will help me a lot as I try to relax.

Thanks,
~Savannah

the best thing you ca do is tell him you want to talk to him, but you feel uncomfortable talking on the phone, tell him the truth, you have a phobia of talking on the phone, you don't really know why and you want him to help you get through it..once you get used to talking to him on the phone it will translate over to other people & bam....problem solved. good luck!