Phobia of making phone calls

Does anyone else have a really bad fear of making phone calls?

I get really anxious beforehand, whether It's calling work, calling to set up an appointment, or whatever else.

I get socially awkward on the phone, likely due to inability to see nonverbal cues, and sometimes I end up speaking before the other person is done (there's a second of silence so I assume they're done), or I have trouble understanding what thye're saying (phone calls always sound a lil grainy) and then I feel awkward or dumb asking them to repeat.

I dread the experience. I have to make a call right now to troubleshoot an issue on my computer and I've put it off all morning because I am scared of doing it. I have tried asking myself "what's the worst that could happe?" and reminding myself that I don't know the person on the other line and they will likely never hear or see me again after today, but I still get so scared.

Anyone else experience this?

Dear Bookworm257.

What you write about is something I can totally identify with. I have had severe anxiety when either making or receiving a telephone call. It isn't as bad now that I am receiving treatment for anxiety. Even though I am receiving medical treatment and cognitive therapy for anxiety there are still times when I dread making or receiving telephone calls. My heart goes out to you!

Sincerely yours, Yao Wen

I'm not sure if I'd call it a phobia but I definitely am at the least apprehensive about using the phone, yes. I never used to be like that. But for some reason the interaction never seems to go smoothly. Plus the fact that if I know people can overhear the phone call, it gives me added stress. I do not like nosy people, they're like spies. But in saying that, I just try to be as relaxed and as casual as I can be on the phone, like how I remember it in the 80's and 90's when talking on the telephone was the norm.

I absolutely get scared whenever I have to make a phone call.I never answer the phone unless I know who it is and most of thetime i get scammers or telemarketeers calling ,I just leave them a message saying you have reached the :Lizzie Borden residence to all scammers and telemarketers you are being reported,and give them a rashberry most of the time they dont leave a message be careful though there are plenty of phone scams like the IRS scam claiming u r being sued for not paying your taxes.or the u won a price one,One time i was talking to someone on the phone and the woman started snickering at me and i told her dont u dear laugh at me she said she wasnt i think I know when someone is laughing at me.ONe time somebody called me and was mad they said my phone number showed up on there caller Id that is bs because i didnt call anyone .. probably someone pulling a crank.I get all kinds now thi Wed I have to call the pharmacy and I am not looking forward to it because sometimes the pharmacists can be really nasty to me.I have a friend who has a phone phobia too, IF u feel uncomfortable making a call sometimes what I do is write down what I am going to say then just read it off the paper to them,it helps.

I understand how you feel. I get nervous on the phone.

When I make phone calls for work I have to psych myself out before making the call. Also I get prepared as much as possible, what am I going to ask exactly, if need to leave a voicemail message, have to think about and make an effort to talk slowly since my natural inclination is to talk fast sometimes. Occasionally have someone who goes off the deep end and they’re angry about something out of my control so need to talk calmly and sometimes as a last resort refer them to a supervisor. It takes discipline to remain completely calm when the other person on the phone is upset and irrational.

I wouldn't call it "phobia" either but I do get anxious about making or taking a phone call. I mainly text. I never used to be this way. I used to look forward in phone conversations with various different people but in the last .... hm.. 7+ years now (wow) it's been a problem..

For me though, it's very much circumstantial.. I get where it's coming from.

It's not my most fun thing to do if I'm calling strangers, but I can't say it's a full-fledged phobia.

Yes, I am also afraid of the phone. Here's an article with some helpful tips on managing phone anxiety.

Tips for Managing Phone Anxiety – Social Anxiety Support Forum

Omg I too have a fear of talking on the phone. Yes, it is worse when people are listening. I usually write it down what I'm going to say then think I need to reword that then I write it over. Then my sister which is very outgoing says you still haven't made that phone call yet. My sister lost her safelink account so I gave her my phone just to avoid having to talk on the phone. But what I hate really most is people who do not know what I am going thru, , when they talk on the phone it looks so easy. And they don't even have to write it down or anything. But I do not mind texting someone at all. I just don't understand it!!!!

people always thought it strange that I prefered the automated machines (because so many people find them annoying)

but: I would prefer to talk to them than I would a person

if I have to talk to someone, it has to be a female at the other end. if it isn't, I'll just hang up and redial until a female answers

and even then it's terrifying when you don't know said person.

on thursday I am having someone call me concerning my care. I probably shouldn't be anxious of her call (we've spoken a lot on email) but I am. I don't know what she sounds like, or even what she's going to say on the call.

I really want to take it though: I don't think it will come to much, (my support system is basically screwed), but you never know

I should also add this is why I've not spoken much to my therapist during lockdown

I refuse to do calls with her, and especially not video calls (I have never, will never) do a video call with anyone.

in person I'm not much better though. honestly for me: email is the way to go

I'm here for this, absolutely. I put off calls to my doctor for weeks, and then forever, unless it's super crucial. My hair is falling out like crazy due to a med I'm on, and it took me a month to force myself to call my dr about it.

I find writing out a crib note helps me focus and remember what I need to say. I do better with this these days and would say practice helped- also not caring so much what people think of me.

I seem to have a running list of calls to makel I put it off until its almost too late.