How do you deal with phone anxiety?

Post Reply New Topic

I think it gets better the more you use it, I've made a lot of strides in the last year or so and have been able to make appointments that nobody else could make for me. The way I usually deal with it it is to defer it off on someone else. I think medication can help but it's mostly just experience.

I write notes for myself beforehand too - including my own name, address, phone number, etc. - because when I'm nervous I forget all of that!

I developed a "receptionist persona" back when I had an office job, and somehow I manage to just switch it on, and sound calm, mature, warm, friendly, exchanging all the right pre-rehearsed pleasantries... I'm able to fool people for a minute or so in this fashion, though eventually I will screw up and say something completely wrong, and people will look at me like I'm from Pluto... sigh!

I agree that practice is important. I don't have a lot of reason to use the phone these days, but I'm thinking of just making up reasons to do some kind of business call now and then, to keep my skills up!

wow- I haaaaaate making phone calls with a burning passion.
I don't think I could EVER articulate how much I hate phone calls- why I don't know!! !
However, I have had multiple jobs where this has been an important part of the job (gotta eat somehow!)
I break out into a cold sweat and my head spins, and I shake every. single. time. I answer a phone call. Then after quite some time I become accustomed to certain types of phone calls; except when they deviate even by a little bit the same symptoms reappear like I have never made a phone call in my life before lol.

And then if I go with slightly less phone calls than usual the next day or something, then the anxiety flairs right back up again! This also severely interrupts my ability to deal with other types of socialization, for example small-talk by the watercooler or making eye contact to someone I pass on the way to the restrooms... ugh.

I NEED to have the interactions scripted for me or I freak and want to vomit.
Thus, in summary, I hate phone calls and doesn't really ever get that much better.
I don't like e-mails, but they are infinitely better..........

I just had EMDR, last weekend to address this same issue. The jury is still out, but I think I'm beginning to see some benefit.

Had this too when I was young -- forced myself to use it when something came along that I was motivated to overcome it for, namely applying for things when in the old days there was no internet or emailing or computers in the home, and the phone or letters were all we had.

I still don't like being called when I'm not expecting a call, but I lost most of my phobia by forcing and determination, during the latter part of my 20s.

And yes, scripting and rehearsing if there's an important call I have to make to a stranger, and it HAS TO go well and I have to communicate clearly.

call your phone/cable/internet company and say you want to cancel your subscription. they'll transfer you to the "convincing you to stay" department. you'll get to practice (it will most assuredly be a dreadfully boring and possibly slightly infuriating call), without much to lose (other than your time, and your sanity for a minute), and you might get a discount or an upgrade for free. if not, then when they ask you if you confirm your intention to cancel your subscription, just say you changed your mind and need to talk it over with someone first

and then call whoever you need to call. it will be pleasant by comparison