Is there such a thing as having a phone phobia?

Question

I know this sounds crazy but, not all the time, but most of the time, I have a very hard time picking up the phone to call people. It causes many problems in the different relationships in my life. I'll pick up and when Im about to call, I'll hang up or else I just keep on putting it off and off. It seems strange to me. It really sux at work b/c I have to push myself to make certain phone calls. Is there something wrong with me? My sister & my friend say I have a phone phobia. If I do, what do I do about it?

Answer 1

I think you can have a phobia of anything. I've heard of people who have phobias of buttons, baked beans, and all kinds of crazy things. I don't have a phobia of phones, but I don't like using them either. I'm no psychologist, but all I think you can do is keep trying to face up to your fear. Is it the phone you are scared of, or talking to the person on the other end?Would you be afraid of phoning someone who you knew wasn't going to answer? You could try phoning your own moblie but not answering it to try and overcome your fear, until you can phone someone who will pick up. This might not work, like I say I don't know that much about psychology, but I hope it does. Good luck!!

Answer 2

You can have a phobia about anything. Yours sounds relatively minor-if that makes you feel any better. For example, someone who is afraid of bridges may goes miles and miles out of their way to avoid crossing one. You can at least pick up a phone. To get better, you've got to start little. Does the sight of a phone make you nervous? If so, look at pictures-cartoon ones at first if that is easier. How about the phone ringing? Bother you? Practice listening in a non-threatening way. Perhaps a tape recorded ring so that you know you don't have to answer it. Work your way up to just picking up the reciever and hanging it up. A hundred times. Until it no longer makes you uncomfortable. Then call someone you are very comfortable with. Do this until you are relaxed with the act. Keep working your way up the ladder of discomfort. If this doesn't work, see a professional. There are lots of ways to work with phobia especially one that so profoundly affects your life. Good Luck.

Answer 3

Yes, it exists. Here are some info and the website with much more information on phone phobia:

Symptoms of phone phobia:
breathlessness, dizziness, excessive sweating, dry mouth, feeling sick, shaking, heart palpitations, inability to speak or think clearly, a fear of becoming mad or losing control, a sensation of detachment from reality or a full blown anxiety attack.

You are not the only one to suffer from phone phobia. Most sufferers are surprised to learn that they are far from alone in this surprisingly common, although often unspoken, phobia.

Phone phobia is an intense fear of something that poses little or no actual danger. While adults with phone phobia realize that these fears are irrational, they often find that facing, or even thinking about facing, the feared situation brings on a panic attack or severe anxiety.

Answer 4

Something in you might feel that you are at a disadvantage, or at least not at your best, when you are on the phone. I know someone who has a hearing and speech impediment problem, and so he doesn't like the phone because it's ALL listening and talking. Other people, though, even without hearing or speech disorders, might still rely heavily on visual and other environmental cues, which can only occur in person, and hence might feel less-than-100% in phone situations. This might be your situation. Your brain doesn't like having to rely just on sound to assess things.

Answer 5

I don't like phones either.