Living Alone

[MouseBoy]

So I live in my own flat. I'm not totally alone though, I have a therapy/seizure dog.

I struggle with anxiety a lot though particularity with using a phone. Now this a but of an issue. Obviously I need to phone things mainly because I have a lot of medical conditions and have to juggle 8 different departments at once. This involves a lot of phoning. Sadly the dog can't phone for me (she can do just about everything else!).

Does anyone have any advice on over coming this fear or techniques to reduce the anxiety associated with it.

[PoppyLove]

I used to have a lot of anxiety over calling people, and then I worked in a telefund office and it tripled!

However, it has since gotten better, partially because I've practiced it a bit more. There are still times I'm anxious about using a phone, but after I had so many positive and easy conversations after calling someone, it started to become a little easier.

Have you tried making practice phone calls? Try calling businesses or restaurants and asking simple, little questions like how late they are open. Maybe then graduate to placing a to-go meal order at a restaurant you often frequent - the conversation will be more involved, but you'll know exactly what you need to say so it's less daunting. And move on from there.

Telephone anxiety is pretty common, and as with all anxiety, there will always be that little kernel there that is hard to get rid of. But I think the more positive experience you have with something, the more you'll think of it in a positive light.

[shadow-light]

I have issues with making phonecalls too, I find it slightly easier if I write down first what I need to say though. As that way I know I will not forgot to say anything and I feel more in comtrol of the situration, maybe something similar could work for you ?

[sherlock holmes]

I used to have major telephone anxiety. It was awful. Then my mum refused to keep making my calls for me so I had to do it! It helped for me to think about what I needed to say before I dialled the number. I often rehearse over and over in my mind as I'm dialling and then when I have to speak it's easier.

The more calls I made, the less anxiety I felt. After a while you learn the 'scripts' for different types of calls, and you know what to expect and what to say. I like making calls to the doctors, bank, uni etc because it's impersonal. I'm phoning for a specific reason and once it's sorted I end the call.

I still can't ring anyone but my boyfriend/parents socially though as I do just freeze up and not know what to say.

[MouseBoy]

Thank you everyone. Will start tying all of these.
I made a phone call to the GP this morning for my script. So that's a start. Baby steps really

[Snow White.]

Well done!

It's so important to take baby steps, so you can get little wins along the way and realise that you can do this.

I usually have a pen in my hand for phone calls, somehow the fidgeting with it helps me.

[MouseBoy]

Today I called the water company because our water in contaminated and I have alhysicla disabilty which prevents me going to the pick up point for safe water. So they brought some to me.

That was a bug step