Social Anxiety | Do You Have Telephonophobia?

Do you have Social anxiety?  Do you have telephonophobia?  Telephonophobia is the fear of telephones.  I’m not talking about that actual telephone itself, I am referring to making and receiving phone calls.

Social anxiety is a fear of being judged by others, as well as fearing social situations.  Those suffering social anxiety may also have telephonophobia which is the fear of telephones.

Do You Have Telephonophobia?

You may have telephonophobia if:

• your stomach goes into a knot when the phone rings or you need to place a call
• your hands start shaking and you feel as though you are going to have a panic attack when the phone rings or when you need to use the phone
• you avoid the telephone at work
• you avoid making any telephone calls, asking others to call for you

If you experience some or all of the situations above, you may have telephonophobia.  This is just one more reason why those suffering from social anxiety see their world around them get smaller.

Overcoming Telephonophobia

You can overcome your fear of the telephone with some simple steps.  These may not be simple steps to perform, but simple in theory.

• Start by placing phone calls to automated businesses, like a movie theater to check show times for instance.  Call every day or several times a day until it almost becomes automatic.
• Next call a business and ask for something very simple like their hours.  Ask a simple question that doesn’t take very long to answer, yet you are talking to a real person.  Call several different places every day until you get more comfortable.
• Call a business and ask something more complex that would take more time to answer, thus allowing you to have more telephone exposure time.  Perhaps ask if they have a certain kind of lamp or other product and if not where they suggest you look.

Be courteous, be direct, and with enough practice, you will begin your journey to overcoming telephonophobia. 

Social Anxiety is crippling, but having a fear of the telephone is the worst.  Don’t watch your world get smaller, pick up the phone today!