OMG, I’m so happy to see there are other people who share this phobia, aversion – whatever you want to call it. I have had this problem for as long as I can remember. In person I can’t shut up, but I avoid making calls all the time. I’ve even tried explaining to my relatives and old friends that I have this hang-up and they really don’t get it because I’m not exactly shy. My doctor told me she thinks it has something to do with being able to edit my thoughts (in letters and On-line) and in person you can read the other persons body language etc. also there isn’t the same pressure to continue the conversation constantly – you can have moments of silence and not feel awkward, but on the phone this is just weird, so you feel like you have to keep thinking of questions to ask, etc. I really wish I wasn’t so worried about all these little things – it can become exhausting. Also, my husband thinks I’m nuts and really doesn’t get it at all. 4 years ago
I’m not great at talking to people face to face but over the phone I’m a complete nervous wreck! I totally lose the ability to form a coherent sentence and either babble on about nothing or go completely silent. Then when I get off the phone I just feel like a total idiot.
I have to do something about it though because it’s seriously hampering my chances of getting a decent job. 4 years ago
Yeah, this makes me so anxious for some reason. I have no trouble speaking to someone face-to-face, or even calling someone if my job requires it, but to speak with someone I don’t know on the phone for the first time is really difficult. I have trouble ordering at drive-thrus, too. I think it might be less of a telephone specific thing, and more of a disembodied voice phobia. 5 years ago
i know exactly what you mean, i am a real scaredy cat when i have to call somebody and it really gets me down. Partly i think its down to feeling inadequate or something – i suffer from social anxiety disorder (sounds so drastic but in reality its very common) and i have real problems with being face to face with people or talking on the phone. Weird thing is everyone says im so outgoing but on the inside i feel like a child and really affects my confidence.
We should deffinately take little steps but it is difficult – most of the time i do ANYTHING just so i dont have to get on the phone!
I have to say though writing about it makes me feel a little better and to know that im not the only one!!
Cookie 6 years ago
I phoned Clive the allotment man today, he wasn’t in so I had to leave a message with his wife, which does mean i’m probably going to have to try and phone him again tomorrow, but at least I tried! I even gave myself a pat on the back afterwards for doing it. Little steps… 6 years ago
I get really scared of using the phone, at the moment I have about four phone calls to make and i’m doing this instead of making them, because really I will do anything to avoid using the phone.
I’m 33 and i’m sick of not feeling able to just pick up the phone and make the calls I need to do. I’m fed up of being scared to answer it if it rings.
But just writing this is making me feel sick so it may well be a while before I get this one done. 6 years ago
