why can't i talk to people on the phone ???

Question

Why cant I talk on a phone?

I get problems when talk to people on the phone my brain go blank and I just want to hang up the phone, I start to sweat and go red I stutter I repeat my self could I have a fear of talking to people on the phone.


any help !!

Answer 1

Go to The Stuttering Foundation's web site at www.stutteringhelp.org and click on "Brochures for all Ages" then look for the one about talking on the telephone. You can download it and print it from their web site. You might find some others that are helpful, too. They have online videos and their books are available in many public libraries.

Answer 2

Strange, it sounds like it has turned into a fear. Why dont you ask your mate to call and practice with him/her if your comfortable enough with this.
Other than that try hypnotherapy (everyone says different comments on this, so it would be worth to give it a try)
Other than that a psychotherapist with some cognitive behavioural therapy would help.
Im reading all the posts and i cant believe how many people have this problem, never heard of it before.
I could never imagine not yapping on the phone, although i have the same problem when dealing with wasps!!!! So i understand where you are coming from.
Face the fear, and get the right help....good luck.
Ps well done for you wanting to overcome this, i am ready to hide away since summer is here! lol

Answer 3

are you like this only talking to strangers or everyone? If its just strangers ie: speaking on the phone at work then that can be quite nerve racking to begin with, probably the best advice i can give you is try to stay calm and keep your voice steady,this is easier if you keep your voice low (deeper) try not to speak too fast and get yourself panicky, actually listen to what the person is saying which is the important part, the more you do it the less you will be afraid of it. Try to think of the person as if they were actually there. Sometimes it helps if you think of some key quotes, if your struggling then say: "would you mind holding for a second," (if you need some breathing space or advice from a collegue)or start your anwsering with, "right, ok........then pause...this gives you a few seconds to gather your thoughts, and then answer.
Hope i helped a bit.xx

Answer 4

I know exactlyg how you feel. I've gotten to the point where if text messaging is an option I'll tell them that I would actually prefer them to just text me. I avoid talking on the phone because I'm self consious of my voice and I question rather or not I'm saying things or behaving in a socially acceptable manner. So I end up pausing a lot and I just feel stupid. The best thing I find to help this is just doing it. You feel so much better when you just go ahead and talk and get it out of the way. Most people aren't going to look down upon you if you struggle throuugh a phone conversation but they might when you never talk to them because they'll think you're trying to avoid them.

Answer 5

Hiya, I jus wanted to say you're not alone. I was almost in tears when they wanted me to answer the phone at work. Anyone would have thought they had asked me to walk the plank. I hate talking on the phone to anyone, prob doesn't help that I don't like talking to people face to face either. I think it's coz I just don't know what to say and I'm left feeling stoopid. I also get way too emotional way too easily.

So, don't fret, get caller ID for incoming calls and make sure everyone knows you email addy. We all managed ok before phones were invented so you know, it's not a big problem. If you let people know to try other methods of contacting you first, which should help alleviate a little of your anxiety.

Remember though, when you're at home you are not obliged to answer the phone or the door just because it rings. You are in control of who you talk to and when you talk to them, the same goes with your mobile/cell. If you;re feeling panicked, let them leave a message and you can text or email them back. Even, change your voicemail message to ask them to leave their email address.

Good luck and best wishes, you'll be fine :o)
Michelle

Answer 6

OK so you get a bit nervous. My suggestion would be that you write down what you want to say - this way you will not miss any important points and you can write down answers to the questions asked. Imagine what the other person on the other side looks like (use your fantasy), take a deep breath. Remember talking on the phone is like you writing on this message board - no one can see you - with practice you will get it - I am sure :-))

Answer 7

Sure sounds like it, buddy. You're not alone. I suffer from the same thing. For me, it's talking to a girl I'm interested in. Is that where you suffer or is it the phone in general? I think the thing that will help us is to just DO it. The other person wants to talk to us and doesn't know we have this anxiety so we should just pretend we're confident and try to let it flow.

Answer 8

The exact same thing happens to me, my mind goes blank, I can't take in anything the other persons saying, I get dead nervous & talk rubbish, then when I get off the phone I haven't got a clue what they said & spend the rest of the afternoon going over it in my head!

Answer 9

i dont like talking on the phone either unless the person im talking to is a real close friend or family then i can talk and talk for hours.

Answer 10

To make friend and talk to them. Talking with a stranger required some topics.