what would you do? phone phobia

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-21-2006
what would you do? phone phobia
3
Wed, 02-28-2007 - 12:28pm
I am probably in the wrong business but I am in web design. It isn't a big business, usually people don't even ask but occasionally I have someone ask to speak with me on the phone. Usually they ask once and then forget about it or I say I just am unable to call but not why. I have a serious phobia of talking on the phone. I was wondering hoping for suggestions on what to do. There is no possibly way I can talk on the phone, I've been this way for MANY MANY years. What would you say to someone? I hate lying!
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-1998
Wed, 02-28-2007 - 1:31pm

I hope there are some tips out there, because I am a bit phone-phobic too. This from a girl who used to spend hours talking to her best friend on the phone! I think it is part of being shy, and I just kind of freeze up sometimes about phone calls. Sometimes I am okay, but other times I dread it. Sometimes it is just because I don't want to call somebody, but sometimes I do want to call but feel afraid.

Hugs,
Emily

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Wed, 02-28-2007 - 1:47pm

Hi! Nice to see you;) Others have reported this same fear/phobia. You are NOT alone.


My phobia was driving. Especially bridges, tunnels, isolated areas & interstates. I used the small step approach to get back on the road. First, I did seek help through medication & therapy. These would be options for you. It depends on how much your fear is interfering with your life & if you want to change. In the small steps, you would make yourself place or receive phone calls. Have a close friend who knows about your problem, role play with you. That way you can come up with conversations that later you would use in *real* calls. Having anxiety, many of us need *back-up* plans. It would stand to reason, that you could work off a scripted conversation in the event you became scared & needed to get off the phone, ASAP. Push yourself until you are uncomfortable, but not so frightened that you panic.


I would never lie;) Actually, I used to make excuses as to why I couldn't drive. When I got majorly angry

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Wed, 02-28-2007 - 7:27pm

This phobia is so much more common than you think.

Sheri Ann