get over my irrational fear of the telephone

I can’t really explain why, but I’m terribly afraid of talking on the phone with somebody. Maybe it’s because I’m somewhat of a perfectionist.. [What if I say something wrong?].. Or that it makes me nervous that I can’t see the person’s face, so I can’t read their body language or emotions.

I can only hold a conversation over the phone with the people closest to me. But I’m so tired of people getting pissed off that I don’t pick up, or call them back!

Gah!!

I still hesitate, but I do answer!

I did well yesterday. I answered the phone and never once let the voicemail pick up. I didn’t actually call anyone myself but that’s okay. I do have someone to call today and I’m a little bit anxious but I’m trying to get past it.

I work on the telephones and i can answer them no problem, but i hate answering my home phone, whats that about? i never call people, i’d much rather text, email or speak face to face. I have one friend who i can telephone and talk for hours, but thats only because she lives at the other end of the country, and if i didnt then we would lose touch. i’m going to start making one call to someone i wouldnt normally a week

I can call someone if I have a very specific reason. I am still very averse to leaving a voice message though.

I saw that it was one of my friends and I answered! We had a good conversation and made plans to get together. I felt great when I hung up! People who don’t have this problem will never understand why this is a big deal. I mostly struggle with calling people and I almost never leave voice messages but, even when I tell someone to call me, I hesitate before answering the phone, if I answer at all.

a friend called and left a message on my voice mail. I thought, for almost 24 hours, about calling her back. I ended up sending an e-mail instead.

I can call complete strangers with no problem. I only get nervous when calling people I know. I can e-mail without hesitation, so what is it about the telephone?

but it has been known to come over me at the strangest of times. It’s definitely not anywhere near as big a problem as it was several years ago. The thing is, I know it’s irrational. I have to consciously remind myself of that fact.