Get Really Nervous On the phone

[Markko]

Hi,


I still get nervous phoning people up. I can understand my anxiety when meeting people face to face, but over the phone just seems silly. If there’s an answer phone message that’s even worse!

Anyone else get nervous on the phone?

Markko

[AnxiousGuy86]

YES!!! i do also,its a normal part of social anxiety,there was a point when i couldn't make a phone call without writing everything down that i was going to say before i made the call.

The only way you get over it is by exposing yourself to it,which would mean by making as many phone calls as you can until you become comfortable doing it.

If its a formal phone call ,say to a phone company or whatever, make point form notes on what you want to say and basically use it as a guide to help you get through the call.This also may help with leaving messages on a voicemail,which i think alot of people hate doing,not even just social anxiety sufferers.



I'd also call someone you feel comfortable talking too,just to get you more relaxed and comfortable speaking on the phone,you would be surprised on how much it will help.


I still have anxiety making phone calls,with me i find it helpful to just sit and try and calm your mind before making the call,and also think and write down what you want you need to say.keep it as simple as you can.


I hope this helps out,your not alone and it's a common thing with S.A.D


Take care 

AG

[emma09]

When i have high anxiety i cant even speak to my friends on the phone! It makes me feel sick for some reason! Like the other post do loads of phone calls till your okay feel better

[cmonpilgrim]

Uh-huh. I always get anxious when I hear my phone ringing, and won't answer it most of the time. When I answer, it usually leads to some sort of social demand on me (an invitation etc) which I will inevitably flake out of and cause offence. What a crummy domino effect it is..

Well, we can keep trying, right? Whenever I manage to answer and pull it off, I feel pretty awesome (generally). One step at a time...

[cmonpilgrim]

..And AnxiousGuy spouts words of wisdom - the more you practice, the easier it becomes. I'm just suffering because I'm out of the loop and the more I avoid it, the scarier it seems. Go get 'em tiger. 

[Susanna]

Look, in the past month a very odd kept happening to me: when I had to make a call or answer it, my throat seemed to close up, and for a second I panicked. It felt so silly. Then things went back to normal by practising and talking to nice people, familiar or not. I just had a difficult period, I was tense even we I had to talk face to face and this somehow affected also phone conversations.

[tongue tied]

This is actually one of the main behaviors that indicated to me that I have SA.

[Eternalpsyche]

I have that problem when I need to call strangers or make appointments.  Well, actually, I can't ever bring myself to do it.   I can call people in my family that I'm close to, but when it is people that I am not close to or even a friend that I haven't talked to in a while, I get really nervous and worry that I'm going to sound stupid or there will be a dreaded awkward pause.

[Lanie]

Being on the phone makes me anxious too. I used to love talking on the phone during my teen years. But now I keep my phone conversations quick and to the point. It's so awkward for me not being able to see a person's face and pick up on certain cues. I turn my cell phone off and screen my calls. I always prepare what I am going to say before I make or return calls.

The phone is an awkward medium for me. I like e-mails because they are impersonal but also like face-to-face because they are personal and I can see their reactions. Phone you can't do that - it's a weird balance between personal and impersonal...I don't like face-to-face much either but I feel like I can control and notice things more. I need to be able to judge someone's reactions and emotions towards me...and phone just doesn't do it.

Practice and exposure are probably the best way to go with phone anxiety. Deep breaths help too

[Pug60647]

YES!!! i do also,its a normal part of social anxiety,there was a point when i couldn't make a phone call without writing everything down that i was going to say before i made the call...

I used to write everything down too. I hate voice chat and phones. I would rather talk to the people in person, even though I still panic.

[maigobob]

I got on healthcare a month ago and I haven't been able to call behavioral health number on the bottom of the card. WTH