Telephone Anxiety Or Telephonophobia: Why Do We Feel Bad When Talking On The Phone?

Some phone calls can make us all uncomfortable at certain times. In fact, it is normal that if one has had a bad day or the person does not have the strength to talk to others, they try to avoid these calls. But, when this type of behavior is extrapolated to all calls received, perhaps there may be a phobia of talking on the phone or telephone anxiety But why does it happen?

What is telephonophobia or telephone anxiety?

The phone anxiety refers to those people who try to avoid telephone conversations at all costs. Although there are many people who do not like making or receiving phone calls, people who suffer from this anxiety usually avoid them even though they are sometimes necessary.

In fact, studies show that anxious people often prefer texting over talking on the phone because they find it more comfortable and expressive. This is because at talking on phone At that moment, people lack the information that being in front of others face to face provides, which implies a certain lack of control. Additionally, when texting, you have the opportunity to plan what you want to say. Normally, this usually happens to those people who suffer from social anxiety.

Symptoms of telephone anxiety

If you feel extreme anxiety before or after interacting on the phone, it is very possible that you are dealing with this type of anxiety. In addition, some of the symptoms that may involve are the following:

• Avoid making calls or don’t pick up when others call you.
• You always delay making or answering phone calls.
• You obsess over what you said after making a call.
• It generates stress for you to have to make a call.
• You are worried about disturbing the other person by making a call.
• You plan everything you will say.
• You feel physical symptoms such as: increased heart rate, nausea and problems concentrating.

He fear of making or receiving phone calls It can be detrimental to both your personal and professional life. Thus, it is important to take the anxiety you suffer when talking on the phone seriously, as it may be a sign that you have an anxiety disorder.

Where does phone anxiety come from?

The telephone anxiety or telenophobia It can come from different reasons. Some of the most common causes are the following:

1. You have trouble picking up on verbal cues: Everyone can find it difficult to interpret body language, but when making phone calls, since you do not have access to this type of information. This can create a certain insecurity towards others, which can lead to experiencing social anxiety.
2. You feel judged: In some cases, the fear of talking on the phone It may be because the person is ashamed of how they communicate with others. By not being in front of the other person, you may tend to think that he or she may be judging what is being said negatively.
3. You suffer from social anxiety: Social anxiety involves feeling distressed because you believe people may treat you badly or judge you. In fact, it is completely normal for those who suffer from this type of disorder to tend to avoid certain social situations.
4. You are experiencing a lot of stress: When you are going through a time of too much stress, you can avoid contacting others not only through the phone, but also through other means.
5. You suffer from depression: People who are dealing with depression may also avoid trying to communicate with another person at all costs.

These may be some of the reasons why you avoid contact with other people over the phone at all costs. If you think it may be for any of these reasons, it is important that you go to a mental health professional.

How to deal with the fear of talking on the phone?

Some of the strategies you can follow to confront this fear are the following:

1. Smile: Before making and receiving calls, try to put a smile on your face. This may sound absurd, but it will help you relax and give you a feeling of sympathy with the person you are talking to.
2. Reward yourself: After making difficult calls, try to reward yourself by spending some time doing something you enjoy.
3. Visualize success: Imagine a positive conversation and feeling good afterwards, this will help you project yourself with a better attitude.
4. Determine availability: If you’re worried about interrupting someone when they call, you can also ask when you make the call. This way you will ensure that you are not interrupting her.
5. Don’t think about it too much: If a person rejects your calls, keep in mind that this could be due to many reasons that have nothing to do with you.
6. Get ready: In case you think you can say something that is not appropriate in one of your calls, try to prepare them. Even so, it is advisable that you do not overdo it, but simply anticipate that perhaps the conversation may not go exactly as you planned.
7. Go to therapy: When not wanting to talk to others on the phone is limiting you in your daily life, this may be because you are facing a mental disorder. For this reason, it is important that you try to discover the cause behind your fear of making and receiving phone calls. In these cases it may be useful to go to a mental health professional.

As indicated, all people can feel a certain fear when talking on the phone with others But, when this becomes a limitation for daily life, we must try to take control of it. Don’t let this irrational fear stop you from doing what you really want in your life.