Making phone calls

[Sue]

Does anybody else have anxiety when it comes to having to make phone calls? Whether it is to friends, family, doctors, restaurants, etc. I avoid phone calls as much as I can. People just don't understand it. I will dial the number over and over again and hang up before I hit the last number. It really stresses me out.

 

[AnnaHasATaco]

I absolutely hate making or receiving phone calls. I can deal with talking to my mom on the phone but there's no way for me to talk to other people without getting minor heart attacks every couple of seconds and sounding like a stammering idiot. I tend to keep my phone as far away from me as I can and I thank god for creating online communication (even though that can be very stressful at times as well) each day.

 

[MellowCat]

I don't struggle with it too much, though I don't necessarily enjoy it, but I understand. My best friend has anxiety too, and this is one of her major struggles. It's a struggle that many people think is something you 'just get over' or grow out of, but it's not. My friend has been known to text me and ask me if I can come over and make a phone call for her, which I will do. She often does things for me. For instance, I hate going shopping, so often we will do that together since we're both single and neither of us cares too much for going into crowded stores. Being together helps. Anyway, all that to say that having a friend who understands can really make a difference. Maybe you have someone who would be willing to make calls for you?

 

[ineedmystrength]

I definitely have that struggle. Making a phone call to anyone except my parents (and sometimes even then) makes me feel sick. I usually overthink any phone call that *has* to be made, and my hands shake like crazy when I dial the number. Sometimes I'm able to put on enough of a front to go through with the phone call, other times I'm not. It's frustrating to deal with, and I haven't really found a way to make it easier to deal with yet. But I do understand that struggle.

 

[Robilas]

That used to be quite a problem for me. I used to stare at the phone for different minutes before actually making the call, and most of the times I just decided to send a text because it was easier.


However I almost resolved this issue with a simple trick: before making the call, I start thinking about what I'm going to say and how to continue the conversation. As soon as I know what I'm gonna say and what my interlocutor is going to reply, I make the call. It's kinda time consuming, but it's still better than not using the phone at all.

 

[Alex]

I hate phones, but since there is call ID and you can store numbers it's much easier. I make calls only when I have to, and if I can text or email I will do that instead. If it's a business call or official I write down everything first and then double check the number before I hit the green button. I think many people hate making calls, and some of my friends don't get how anxious it can make me. Once in a job I had to make so many calls to people to book them for events, I would call then hang up, then call again.


I'm better these days, but at times I still prefer not to call unless I have to and leave it to the last minute.

 

[joshposh]

If I'm calling a stranger and trying to sell something, then yes. I totally have anxiety over that. It's not easy trying to sell a product or service to a complete stranger. That's called "cold calling". The thought is, that nobody likes to be called out of the blue and asked to trust them by buying my product. With that in mind, I know I'm already 99% doomed at any call, as most hate telemarketers. It is by far the most stressful job with quotas. You don't have to suffer from anxiety disorder to avoid this job. It produces anxiety as it is.

 

[Sue]

I don't struggle with it too much' date=' though I don't necessarily enjoy it, but I understand. My best friend has anxiety too, and this is one of her major struggles. It's a struggle that many people think is something you 'just get over' or grow out of, but it's not. My friend has been known to text me and ask me if I can come over and make a phone call for her, which I will do. She often does things for me. For instance, I hate going shopping, so often we will do that together since we're both single and neither of us cares too much for going into crowded stores. Being together helps. Anyway, all that to say that having a friend who understands can really make a difference. Maybe you have someone who would be willing to make calls for you?[/quote']
I am exactly how you describe your friend. I have my fiance who will make calls for me but he doesn't understand it. He has no problem making calls and he doesn't get how it bothers me so much. Sometimes he things it is just silly of me to feel that way. I really don't blame him for feeling that way. I even had the problem with calling my mom. I use to always think I would be bothering her or something. She has passed away now and I do have regrets that I didn't call her as much as I should have but no matter how badly I wanted to call her and talk to her I just couldn't do it. I would just keep putting it off and never doing it. I wish I could just simply "just over it"..if only it was that easy. I will text or email if I can rather then call anybody.

 

[rootle]

Yeah I've never been a fan of phone calls, I think I dislike them more than regular interaction. I can't quite isolate what it is about them that bothers me though. Before making a call, even if it's to someone I know well, I tend to feel a sense of dread for no reason at all. What I really don't like is calls with strangers, like customer care numbers and stuff like that, I don't do too badly when talking to them but the feeling of dread is pretty bad before I start talking to them. And what I hate the most is doing one of those customer care phone calls when I'm in a public place. I hate the feeling that people around me are listening to me talk while they're just silently watching. I sometimes don't answer calls if I'm in company that I;m not comfortable with.

 

[BreeBrock6]

Once my anxiety developed around the time I turned 20, I started avoiding phone calls like the plague. I refuse to answer any calls that don't have a displayed name attached to it, and even if it does have a name there's only a 50% chance I'll answer it. I don't know exactly what it is about phones that give me this anxiety, whether its because most of the time the other person is a stranger, or just because I don't like not being able to see the facial expressions when they're talking. Texting is my main form of communication with people, unless it's work related. Then, I try to stick with emails only.

 

[MellowCat]

I used to hate it a lot more than I do. I have gotten over some of it, which I know for many, like my friend, just doesn't happen. But I remember the first time that I was old enough to apparently be expected to answer the phone when it rang. The reason I remember is because I was probably about 12 by then, and the phone rang and rang and rang and no one answered. Then I got yelled at for not answering it when everyone else was busy. I had never been told before that that was something I was supposed to do. I think maybe feeling shamed like that did not help me with my various social anxiety issues.

 

[amy88]

For me it's the unknown, and the fact that I have to think on the fly - I can't sit and have time to formulate a response like I do with email or text message conversation. I worry about sounding stupid, or not saying the right thing - and that then feeds my anxiety and makes it worse! It's a vicious cycle. It's also hard because I feel like the less I do it, the more anxious I get about it when I have no other choice.

 

[Sue]

It is so bad for me that I am one of the few people who don't own a cell phone. People are always shocked when they find out I don't have one because it seems that everybody does. I am fine without a phone and not being available for somebody to call me 24 hrs. a day. I always tell people to just message me on FB and I will get back to them.

 

[tsauer19]

I do not like talking on the phone as it is difficult for me to talk with someone that I cannot see. Plus, I feel like I need to stop everything that I am doing in order to have a conversation on the phone. Text messaging is much better for me and I always prefer that. The only exception is if I need to talk with someone I talk with frequently and it is about something very important. Then, I will break down and talk on the phone with them.

 

[It'sJaz]

I never make phone calls and I won't talk to someone else unless very necessary. It's very stressful and I can't think straight whenever I have to, and I'll feel my heart pounding. If someone asks me to call them, I'll either text or find a way to get someone else to call instead.

 

[mauricioq]

I also don't like making phone calls, I avoid it as much, but sometimes it's more easy to talk in a call than by text. For me, depends on the person too. If it's someone I really know, and I'm comfortable with, it's cool, if it's someone who I'm not really close, it's much harder.

 

[Sue]

I never make phone calls and I won't talk to someone else unless very necessary. It's very stressful and I can't think straight whenever I have to' date=' and I'll feel my heart pounding. If someone asks me to call them, I'll either text or find a way to get someone else to call instead. [/quote']
I hate when people give me their number and say call me. I know I will never call them even though I take their number. They usually get tired of waiting for me to call and they will call me instead. I always make up an excuse for why I didn't call.

 

[Deeishere111]

Do you know what is the reason or trigger that causes you to be afraid of making calls? The only time I feel this way is when I do mystery calls. My heart beats fast and I am hesitant because I don't know what is going to happen on the call. I want to perform well so I get paid. I want to follow the instructions but there is always a what if I forget something. So what helps me is to jot down questions and the main points that I need to say. Most of the time when I am actually talking I feel better and the fear goes away.

 

[It'sJaz]

I hate when people give me their number and say call me. I know I will never call them even though I take their number. They usually get tired of waiting for me to call and they will call me instead. I always make up an excuse for why I didn't call.

Yes, I won't call even if people ask me to. I'll end up texting them instead. It's so much easier and saves the hassle. I don't know why people seem to prefer receiving a call rather than a text.