HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Telephone Anxiety

Support Forums
>
Depression
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/20/2013 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
WHY do I get so anxious when I have to make a phone call? I just got off the phone with a new customer (I run a home-based baking business) and I'm so stressed by it, I feel the adrenaline coursing through my body and I feel like I'm in fight or flight mode.

The thing is, it was a perfectly nice conversation, she was referred by someone who loves my work, and she's going to place a good-sized order. NOTHING BAD HAPPENED! So it doesn't make sense to me.

I will say that one good thing about being on Wellbutrin/Bupropion was that it helped my social anxiety, but the side effects aren't worth it so I'll just have to figure out another way to cope. I think part of the problem is that I feel competent, but I'm not convinced that I can express myself well enough to convey it. I want to communicate clearly and be understood and sometimes my brain doesn't cooperate.

I just needed a place to process this and thought maybe some of you will understand :). Nina
Posted 8/20/2013 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
I have some type of telephone anxiety too. I don't like talking on the phone. I often don't even answer it, I let people leave a message. I am terrible, I too would like some tips on how to handle it.

I often wonder if I had a bad experience or something on the phone, maybe got bad news. I don't know...

Good luck...

I think it is cool that you have a bakery...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 8/20/2013 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nina,

I too understand how you feel.
For some reason, I get nervous when I need to call a customer or supplier or someone concerning work. It even happens when I have to call a co-worker or a branch. I don't know why.

I never answer the land-line telephone in work unless there's no one else too. I would answer my cell though since I would see the number that's calling me.

Sorry I can't give any tips since I'm in a but of the same situation like you all.

UA
Posted 8/20/2013 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
I have been getting worse with this for a few years. Phones cause me a LOT of anxiety. I have been trying recently to answer the phone whenever it rings, and to stop putting off calls I need to make. I used to make a list, and do it all in one morning, since I hated it so much.
Posted 8/21/2013 9:39 AM (GMT 0)
I am glad to know I am not the only one...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 8/21/2013 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
I just picked up the phone to make an appointment for my mom.

Again, pleasant experience.

I just hate being a captive audience. I don't give out the number for my cell for that reason. It is for emergency use only. I guess I want to talk on my terms, and today's culture of any conversation, anyplace makes me culturally crazed.
Posted 8/21/2013 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
I know how you feel Myself. I am the same way. I have to make calls in the mornings for some reason. I guess, I am less anxious then.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 8/21/2013 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for reminding me that I'm not the only one with this challenge! I think part of it for me is that I'm a very visual person and without that component I feel...the only word that comes to mind is "threatened" so I'll say that even though I don't think that's quite right. My brain isn't finding what I really mean. Maybe I need more coffee!!! Nina
Posted 8/21/2013 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Yes coffee... I ran out of hazelnut creamer. I went to town and got some, I am enjoying my coffee right now.

I think we feel "cornered" when we are on the phone, even though we can hang up if we want. I am so glad that I am not the only one... Thanks for this thread... It has helped me.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 8/21/2013 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Healing from PPD .........

   Congrats on your home business. I know how good ... and how bad that can be from home. Until two+ years ago, I had a home business ... advertised in the Yellow Pages ... the whole bit. My discomfort level was:

people would call me from my advertisement for a price for my service, but I couldn't give a price without seeing what they wanted to do ... and some would just hang-up on me, and some were just window-shopping! If I was able to make an appointment for a free visit to give a price - then I needed to call back with that price. That's when "rejection" came in. Even after 22-years of doing this, "rejection" was still a tough thing to face ... and always on the phone.

   So ... rejection was my fear of using the phone on business calls.

   Since being retired, now it's the bloody telamarketers!!!! Why can't they stop after the first two or three "NO" given!!!!

Wish your telephone work and business - the very best though!!!   

Posted 8/21/2013 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
PPd and all of you

Me too!!!! I will make a list of calls to make-very mundane stuff-and then procrastinate and put them off until I have to! I thought it was just me. I get anxious and full of dread like I will be shut down or given bad news or something...

Karen, yes I too make calls in the am when I feel the strongest.

Sorry I can't help either...I hate answering the phone and the door too-scares the poop outta me-LOL

Mags
Posted 8/22/2013 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
I used to have phone anxiety too. I could not trust my voice what so ever. I refused to pick up the phone at work so I got a warning. Now I'm working in a call center environment. What helped me? Practice practice practice! Sounds trivial but it's true.
Posted 8/22/2013 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Andina.

Thanks for the advice...

Welcome to the forum. I posted on your thread.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 8/22/2013 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
It is really helping. You may think I haven't had it as bad. I did! Like I said I even got a warning from my job because I refused to pick up the phone. Now I'm doing inbound calling and because people want something from me, it's been easier. Outbound is still hard!
Posted 8/25/2013 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for posting! I had no idea I was in such good company :).
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply