Telephonophobia
I have a fear of talking on the phone.
Telephonophobia or phonophobia (yes, those are real words) is a severe fear of talking on the phone.
About Telephonophobia:
Telephonophobia affects nearly 1 in 20 people. It is an extreme or irrational fear of talking or using the phone. For someone who has telephonophobia, even the sound of the phone ringing can cause them to experience an anxiety response.
(Source: https://www.rightdiagnosis.com/t/telephonophobia/intro.htm)
I can't remember a time where I didn't fear the telephone. I don't know what caused me to experience this severe panic everytime a phone rings, but according to the few professionals I have spoken to regarding my telephonophobia, they believe it is because when talking on the phone you can not see the other person and therefore can not see their body language. This can cause some people worry as they can not see how someone may react prior to their reaction. There is also the fear of the unknown. Unless you have caller ID and only receieve calls from people who's number you recognize, you don't know who is on the other end of the phone.
I have never met anyone who has experienced telephonophobia, does anyone here have a fear like this?
Yes, I used to have severe fear from talking on the phone. Having a phone call or talking through skype was quite a nightmare for me. Unfortunately recently I have to call a lot of people because of what I do at school or in my job so it's quite better but I still really hate it. However using skype is still very difficult for me.
@Michalla
Thank you for sharing! My job also requires me to use the phone often and I'm still having a hard time with it some days
@Quinzel241
I totally understand where you are coming from completely. I to don't fully understand where my telephonophobia/telephobia stems from but it is debilitating none the less, I to won't answer any calls on my phone that don't show a Caller ID or if they are not in my phone to begin with either, my voicemail gets a workout almost daily, my anxiety spikes and at times I head into a panic attack unleashing countless scenarios in my head that manifest into something all to real.
My phone ringing triggers an almost paralysing fear for me at times I can't ellaborate on this other than to say I usually jump at the sound of it, calling people is a whole other kettle of fish. I admit to my caseworkers and therapists that I take forever organising things sometimes, if I have to ring someone unknown to start using a service I am eligible for in my ongoing management of my health (mental and physical) because I am fearful of who may answer and how they will treat me, which is common I know but for me has the added increase to my anxiety, thus I will put off continously until I fight myself after crying usually to finally call effectively starting that particular path.
@InkStainedFingers
Thank you for sharing! It is nice to know that I'm not alone in this!
@Quinzel241 .. I'm learning more and more via this community that I'm not alone in anyway, and neither are you. It's my please to share, even if the anxiety builds when hitting (add post) sometimes, not now however.
You totally stole that other person's format for their phobias
be original
@tallShade4679
I did not steal anything, the way I answered was how I answer everything, from my own experiences and as so happens they are similar here, however it looks like you want me to ellaborate, sure that I will do, I start shaking (my entire body more than just a limb) when ever my phone lights up saying I have a call my heart races and my anxiety kicks in to the point I have to wait until I calm down, which isn't a long length of time before I even try and answer. Most times it goes through to voicemail or appears as a missed call before I can answer and I call them straight back in a calmer state.
If I am to call someone / a service that I don't know it takes me a few tries to work up the courage to call. This can continue for months which was the case of my phone referal to my current rehab service all because I couldn't/can't see that person and their expressions to what I'm saying and because of this even when on a call the anxiety can become higher that I start into a panic and that hinders the desired outcome in my mind. I find that I stutter and stammer as I talk and that plays a part in my fears of the phone and using it which draws out the call and makes me feel like a burden.
@InkStainedFingers
I said they way you posted this.. the lines the spacing and you even put the source of the information you got..
You took the format from this person's posts- Fear of Men & Sex // Fear of Needles
The person who mades those posts name is Jenna and when she comes back I will let her know you stole her posting format
@InkStainedFingers
I didnt mean to tag you, I meant to tag the person who made this post..
(Edited By Eunoia for unsupportive reasons)
@tallShade4679 .. fair enough and I took it that way because I saw as a reply to me, I'm still getting to know this site, and use to actually talking to others that are similar to me or those that are offering their point of view and not to take them all so internally as I do and may have here.
@tallShade4679
I'm sorry that I used the same format as a Mentor, I saw it and thought it was very clean and organized. As soon as I can find a Forum Mod online I will ask them to take it down. It was very hard for me to post this to begin with anyway.
@Quinzel241, it's really great that you posted it and I was glad to see someone who understands this phobia . I know it's hard to post about stuff that is bothering us and honestly speaking, if I can interfere, I wouldn't be deleting this post only cause of someone's peculiar remark. It tackles important problem and I assume that it was written with an intention to share thoughts and support each other.
@InkStainedFingers
Thank you again for sharing. I know how hard it is to explain these things, even just thinking about it while writing this post made me start shaking and my heart racing. It's always nice to know that we aren't the only ones going through these difficulties.
@tallShade4679 so what? In the end it's about the content and not about who has whose format. Maybe the format was inspiring? I can't believe that I'm reading such a thing on 7cups... :/ On a website that's supposed to be based on kindness .
@RiseLikePhoenix
I wasn't talking to you :)
Hello @tallShade4679,
I would like to point out that we are allowed to make forum posts with similar format as that of others, by taking it as an inspiration or by coincidence. It is not a mistake or "stealing". The intention of the post was to provide support.
Also, please do remember that we encourage everyone to be supportive everywhere in the site.
Take care.
@Eunoia
Well taking someone else's format isnt cool
I would be mad if they just stole it from me without asking or me knowing.
I will just tell jenna when she gets back
@tallShade4679
Hi there honey! Long time no talk 
Thanks for defending me and my post format. That was very kind of you as it was original and did take me a long time to make, but I have no problem with someone using my format to share their personal stories.
@Jennalovely2
I am really sorry for this, I didn't mean to upset anyone or ruffle any feathers.
