Treating Phone Call Anxiety/Telephobia - Are you the One Suffering?

Phone anxiety has become an intense fear that is affecting many individuals in their everyday life. Are you one of them who is experiencing this irrational fear and feel anxious whenever you make a phone call? If so, you may be suffering from phone anxiety.
Phone anxiety is an intense fear of talking on the phone that can have a negative impact on your day-to-day life, affecting your relationships, career, and other areas
The good news is that there are steps you can take to overcome this fear and start speaking confidently on the phone again. In this article, I’ll explain what phone anxiety is and provide tips on how to cope with it. Read on to learn more about understanding and treating phone anxiety.

What is Phone Anxiety?

Phone anxiety is an intense fear that can cause distress and disruption to people’s everyday lives. It is marked by feelings of apprehension, worry, fear, and dread when faced with the prospect of making a call or answering the phone.
This can take many forms and can range from mild discomfort to full-blown panic attacks. People with phone anxiety often find themselves avoiding phone calls or dreading them, which can lead to further difficulties and isolation. Phone Anxiety is also called as telephobia.  Telephobia is also compared to social anxiety disorder, which has similar signs and symptoms. Some stats reveal that around 15 million of adult population in US suffer from social anxiety.

Reasons of Why You face Phone Anxiety

When it comes to anxiety about talking on the phone, the cause can be hard to pinpoint. It’s often a combination of external factors, such as

Fear of judgment or rejection: Fear of judgment or rejection is one of the most common causes of phone anxiety. Many people feel embarrassed or intimidated by talking on the phone, and may be worried about saying something wrong or not being able to find the right words. This fear can prevent them from making calls, even when they need to do so for work or personal reasons.

Lack of confidence in your communication skills: Phone call anxiety is a real problem that many people face, including feeling lack of confidence in their communication skills. It can be unsettling and affect your ability to express yourself effectively over the phone. Having issues in communication during phone calls may lead to a feeling of inadequacy and a fear of being judged or negatively assessed. This can cause individuals to feel embarrassed, anxious, and overwhelmed when it comes time to make a phone call.

Low Self Esteem: Low self-esteem is often a major factor caused due to phone anxiety. Feelings of worthlessness, insecurity, and inadequacy can lead to fear and hesitation when it comes to speaking on the phone. It can be particularly hard for those who already suffer from low confidence and lack of belief in themselves to make a call—no matter how important the task may be. 

Recognizing and understanding these feelings is an important step to get over phone call anxiety. Once the underlying issues are identified, steps can be taken to help build up self-esteem, which will ultimately lead to increased confidence when it comes to making calls.

Apart from some external factor that are the root cause of having phone anxiety there are some internal causes as well like fear of the unknown, feeling overwhelmed by too much choice on the other end of the line, and a general difficulty expressing yourself through speech. All these things contribute to creating an atmosphere that can make some people feel extremely anxious.

Signs & Symptoms Shown in Person Facing Call Anxiety

If you are experiencing phone anxiety, you may have noticed some of these signs and symptoms:

Trembling or shaking: When you are on the phone, your hands may become sweaty and your voice quiver. This is a natural response to fear, but it can be embarrassing and make it more difficult to communicate effectively.

Nervous sweating: Some people experience a feeling of perspiration or clammy hands when using the telephone. This is a normal reaction to anxiety and can be managed with relaxation techniques.

Racing heart beat :You may find that your heart rate increases when you need to make or receive a phone call. This is another common symptom of fear and can be alleviated by taking some deep breaths before calling.

Nausea: Feeling nauseous when using the phone is a common response to anxiety. This can be managed through relaxation exercises and by taking time out if you need it.

Difficulty breathing or speaking: Call anxiety can make it difficult for you to breathe normally or to get your words out clearly. Taking some slow, deep breaths before calling can help with this symptom.

Extreme dread: If you are feeling intense fear when making or receiving phone calls, this could be a sign that your anxiety has reached a severe level. It is important to seek help from a mental health professional if this is the case. So don’t wait any longer book an appointment now!

How to Get Over Phone Call Anxiety and Treatment You Need

When there comes a disorder there is certainly some treatments also available which can help to overcome them. Treating phone anxiety is what most of the people think is similar to normal anxiety disorders. Treating phone anxiety is only way to get over the fear of this situation. There are many approaches that help you with how to get over phone call anxiety, such as:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach to treating phone anxiety. This form of therapy involves learning how to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and how to replace them with more helpful and balanced thoughts. 

Through CBT, individuals will gain the skills needed to develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving that can help reduce anxiety related to making phone calls During therapy, the individual is encouraged to practice making phone calls in a safe and supportive environment and is given feedback on how they can improve their performance. 

The therapist will also help you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors impact your level of anxiety when it comes to making phone calls.

Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques are an essential part of managing and coping with phone anxiety. Relaxation helps to reduce the physical and emotional tension that often occurs when anxious thoughts run through your mind while on the phone. There are several relaxation techniques, such as:
  • Deep breathing exercises
  • Guided imagery
  • Mindfulness
  • Progressive muscle relaxation.

Deep breathing exercises involve focusing on your breath as you inhale and exhale deeply with a steady rhythm. 

Guided imagery involves picturing a scene or situation in your mind that is calming, peaceful, and stress-free. 

Mindfulness practices involve paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and environment without judging them. 

Progressive muscle relaxation involves tensing and releasing each of your major muscle groups in turn, starting with the toes and working up to the head.

Seek Professional Help

There can be a time where you can struggle to overcome Phone anxiety disorder on your own, it will be important to get in touch with a mental health professional that can have better understanding to assess your symptoms and provide psychological therapy that can help you overcome this fear.

Start Feeling Better - Call Our Office Now

Start Feeling Better - Call Our Office Now

Wrapping Up

Phone anxiety is a very real and common fear that can be debilitating for those who experience it. However, with the right knowledge, support, and treatment, it is possible to manage phone anxiety and find relief from this condition.  Finding a qualified mental health professional to assess your symptoms and provide therapy tailored to your needs is key in managing phone anxiety. With the help of relaxation techniques and cognitive-behavioral approaches, you can learn how to reduce your level of anxiety and make phone calls without fear or dread. Remember—you are not alone in this journey! There are many resources available that can help you gain mastery over your phone anxiety so that you can live a more fulfilling life.
Helpful Resources

What are the five major types of anxiety disorders?

By Digital Communications Division (DCD)

Link: https://www.hhs.gov/answers/mental-health-and-substance-abuse/what-are-the-five-major-types-of-anxiety-disorders/index.html

Smartphone use; symptoms of depression, anxiety, and academic performance in college students

Author: Elizabeth Mae Longnecker

About Author
Table Of Content

Faith Behavioral Health Group
Frisco, TX 75034

Faith Behavioral Health Group
McKinney, TX 75071

Can Depressed People Be Happy?

Can Depressed People Be Happy?

Can Depressed People Be Happy? Depression is often perceived as an insurmountable barrier to happiness, health, and fulfilling relationships. This misconception leaves many wondering if

Read More »

Appointment

Dr. Sadaf Noor Psychiatrist, MD

As a skilled psychiatrist, I specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating mental health issues, emotional disorders, and psychotic conditions. Drawing on diagnostic laboratory tests, prescribed medications, and psychotherapeutic interventions, I strive to provide comprehensive and compassionate care for my patients in Frisco and McKinney, Texas, while assessing their biological, psychological, and social components of illnesses. I am committed to helping them achieve healthier and more fulfilling lives through my work.