Comments on: 5 Steps to Curing Yourself of Phone Phobia http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/ Money issues for college students and 20-somethings, without being boring. Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:02:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Paul http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-339766 Paul Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:54:53 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-339766 Hello, i 100% suffer from this phone phobia, it's not exactly the thought of not knowing what to say, or feeling secure of who I'm talking to, it's the actual fact I'm talking to a phone. I'm not a shy person, I'm absolutely fine in talking to people when I can see their face it's just taking to a phone, when you cannot see the person scares the living day light out of me, So much so I actually avoid answering the phone even if it's best friends or family ringing! The advice given on here seems to be aimed towards working on shyness (which im not) and curing that shyness, rather than the fear of the actual phone! And technically talking to yourself! Any help?! Anyone else crazy like me? Haha peace. Hello, i 100% suffer from this phone phobia, it’s not exactly the thought of not knowing what to say, or feeling secure of who I’m talking to, it’s the actual fact I’m talking to a phone. I’m not a shy person, I’m absolutely fine in talking to people when I can see their face it’s just taking to a phone, when you cannot see the person scares the living day light out of me, So much so I actually avoid answering the phone even if it’s best friends or family ringing! The advice given on here seems to be aimed towards working on shyness (which im not) and curing that shyness, rather than the fear of the actual phone! And technically talking to yourself! Any help?! Anyone else crazy like me? Haha peace.

]]> By: Kim http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-330198 Kim Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:53:24 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-330198 I forgot to add that my sister and daughter also suffer from this same phobia. It may be genetic? I forgot to add that my sister and daughter also suffer from this same phobia. It may be genetic?

]]> By: Kim http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-330196 Kim Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:51:39 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-330196 I too suffer from this phobia. I didn't have it until adulthood. I used to spend hours on end talking to friends when I was a kid. I did have many many years where phones were an integral part of my work life and I did fine, even though I hated that portion of my job. Mainly my phobia has to do with personal phone calls. I can make business calls easier, although if I can get my husband to do it I will. But personal calls are torture for me. I think there are many issues that play into it, such as having been personally attacked on phone calls by my ex-husband, having friends who would literally keep me on the phone for 6 hours or more and even after saying many times "I've got to go", they kept talking, and also I have a hearing issue and I have a very hard time hearing clearly on most phones (especially cell phones). The result is I don't have any friends because they all want me to call them. I feel stupid telling them I'm afraid of phone calls, so I just let the friendship die. There are only two people I can call without any anxiety, my husband and my mom. Everyone else I sweat, shake, and avoid making the call. It turns my stomach with dread and anticipation if I know I have to make the call. I wish I could fix this because no one understands it and no one is happy with just texting and emailing. I too suffer from this phobia. I didn’t have it until adulthood. I used to spend hours on end talking to friends when I was a kid. I did have many many years where phones were an integral part of my work life and I did fine, even though I hated that portion of my job. Mainly my phobia has to do with personal phone calls. I can make business calls easier, although if I can get my husband to do it I will. But personal calls are torture for me. I think there are many issues that play into it, such as having been personally attacked on phone calls by my ex-husband, having friends who would literally keep me on the phone for 6 hours or more and even after saying many times “I’ve got to go”, they kept talking, and also I have a hearing issue and I have a very hard time hearing clearly on most phones (especially cell phones). The result is I don’t have any friends because they all want me to call them. I feel stupid telling them I’m afraid of phone calls, so I just let the friendship die. There are only two people I can call without any anxiety, my husband and my mom. Everyone else I sweat, shake, and avoid making the call. It turns my stomach with dread and anticipation if I know I have to make the call. I wish I could fix this because no one understands it and no one is happy with just texting and emailing.

]]> By: Tangie http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-207467 Tangie Sat, 22 Oct 2011 20:37:42 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-207467 Alakazaam-ionfrmtaion found, problem solved, thanks! Alakazaam-ionfrmtaion found, problem solved, thanks!

]]> By: Cam http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-180195 Cam Sat, 24 Sep 2011 07:23:24 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-180195 I was in a job where basically every phonecall was a complaint, so even now, two and a half years later I don't answer the phone, only to my partner! I only answer other people when my partner forces me to. So when he's not around I never answer! My friends know me for this fact... But I will start a business soon and need to answer... I now realize I have a phobia! I always prefer to email or type chat online. I promise I will answer every phone call from this instant! Like someone else said... "grow up"! It's a baseless phobia that is making me unhappy and I'm gonna be happy from now on! I was in a job where basically every phonecall was a complaint, so even now, two and a half years later I don’t answer the phone, only to my partner! I only answer other people when my partner forces me to. So when he’s not around I never answer! My friends know me for this fact… But I will start a business soon and need to answer… I now realize I have a phobia! I always prefer to email or type chat online. I promise I will answer every phone call from this instant! Like someone else said… “grow up”! It’s a baseless phobia that is making me unhappy and I’m gonna be happy from now on!

]]> By: Saladin http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-177202 Saladin Mon, 19 Sep 2011 06:55:44 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-177202 Hello Stephanie; I know exactly how you felt. While growing up, I too had a bit of tendency towards shyness on the phone. One of the things that contributed to this was the hearing of my own voice back into my ear. Its similar to when one speaks into a microphone and can hear the echo of one's own voice. Needless to say, I was able to overcome my shyness using a few proven techniques. It even inspired my to write a blog about it. Check it out: http://overcomingmyshyness.com/ PS Very inspiring blog by the way. Hello Stephanie; I know exactly how you felt. While growing up, I too had a bit of tendency towards shyness on the phone. One of the things that contributed to this was the hearing of my own voice back into my ear. Its similar to when one speaks into a microphone and can hear the echo of one’s own voice. Needless to say, I was able to overcome my shyness using a few proven techniques. It even inspired my to write a blog about it. Check it out: http://overcomingmyshyness.com/

PS
Very inspiring blog by the way.

]]> By: Emily http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-167764 Emily Mon, 25 Jul 2011 06:17:22 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-167764 I don't know when this began for me, but it is horrible. People who I love dearly - my favorite people to talk to - when they call, I cannot answer. There is so much irrational anxiety surrounding it. I have a family history of anxiety issues, plus a semi-crappy childhood. I can't remember not ever being nervous. I think the anxiety manifests with the phone fear because that is one - ONE - thing that makes me nervous that I do have some control over and am able to avoid if I like. And so I do. I don’t know when this began for me, but it is horrible. People who I love dearly – my favorite people to talk to – when they call, I cannot answer. There is so much irrational anxiety surrounding it. I have a family history of anxiety issues, plus a semi-crappy childhood. I can’t remember not ever being nervous. I think the anxiety manifests with the phone fear because that is one – ONE – thing that makes me nervous that I do have some control over and am able to avoid if I like. And so I do.

]]> By: johana http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-106727 johana Sat, 25 Sep 2010 19:47:00 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-106727 yes, i have it too. I'm actually fine making a call to a pizza shop or canceling or rescheduling an apt. I 'll talk to family members fine, but it seems I have lost sooo many friends bc i never keep in touch. I am not afraid to talk I just don't like to sit around talking on the phone. As soon as I hear it ring, i cringe like, " omgosh who is that calling?" what do they want?" I have this feeling that it's like some kind of favor or something and that I would have to say "no!" and I really don't like saying, "no" to people. If its just small talk, that is even worse, I have such little time to just talk about nothing, and I can't even do dishes with my head cocked to the side trying to hold the phone because then my neck starts to hurt. AHHH it stinks, the worst thing ever is trying to convince your friends you still love them when you never call them. I really love to see them, I just don't like to talk on the phone, noone ever understands, they just say, " Hey why don't you ever answer you phone??" One way or another I understand and I'm glad Im not alone- misery loves company unfortunately right? we could pray that G-d will help us to overcome this phobia somehow....or maybe ban phones, that's always an option :) If any one my friends read this and see it's me, all i can say is, " I'm sorry, I still love you." yes, i have it too. I’m actually fine making a call to a pizza shop or canceling or rescheduling an apt. I ‘ll talk to family members fine, but it seems I have lost sooo many friends bc i never keep in touch. I am not afraid to talk I just don’t like to sit around talking on the phone. As soon as I hear it ring, i cringe like, ” omgosh who is that calling?” what do they want?” I have this feeling that it’s like some kind of favor or something and that I would have to say “no!” and I really don’t like saying, “no” to people. If its just small talk, that is even worse, I have such little time to just talk about nothing, and I can’t even do dishes with my head cocked to the side trying to hold the phone because then my neck starts to hurt. AHHH it stinks, the worst thing ever is trying to convince your friends you still love them when you never call them. I really love to see them, I just don’t like to talk on the phone, noone ever understands, they just say, ” Hey why don’t you ever answer you phone??” One way or another I understand and I’m glad Im not alone- misery loves company unfortunately right? we could pray that G-d will help us to overcome this phobia somehow….or maybe ban phones, that’s always an option :) If any one my friends read this and see it’s me, all i can say is, ” I’m sorry, I still love you.”

]]> By: Donna http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-105442 Donna Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:46:57 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-105442 I had this for 24 years. I have been free of it for about 15 now. It was terrible the other day I picked up the phone and couldn't speek. It is stress related I think Also self-image plays a part in it. When I get over it this time for good I will share how I did it. I refuse to give up...I almost quit a good job yesterday I had this for 24 years. I have been free of it for about 15 now. It was terrible the other day I picked up the phone and couldn’t speek.

It is stress related I think Also self-image plays a part in it. When I get over it this time for good I will share how I did it. I refuse to give up…I almost quit a good job yesterday

]]> By: Claudia S http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-104402 Claudia S Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:42:11 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/08/17/5-steps-to-curing-yourself-of-phone-phobia/#comment-104402 Thank you for this article. I know I am not alone with this phone phobia. Thank you for this article. I know I am not alone with this phone phobia.

]]>