How to Overcome Fear of Talking on the Phone

Many people suffer from some type of anxiety disorder. Feeling anxious from time to time is one thing, but letting the fear take over your life is what differentiates normal anxiety from a disorder. When people are feeling anxiety, they are letting their fears control them. Some people are afraid to talk on the telephone. The thought of calling someone, or hearing the phone ring, causes anxiety. This phobia has a name: telephobia. Like most anxieties, people can control their telephobia through behavior modification.

Instructions

Prepare for Your Phone Calls

• 1

  Write a script. Many people who are afraid to make a phone call are afraid they will forget what they need to say or are not sure they will get their point across. Writing down what you need to say and reading that while on a call should ease your worries.

• 2

  Role play. Many people are afraid of receiving a rude phone call and are not sure how to react to it. For example, maybe you are expecting a call from your boss or a bill collector, and because you want to avoid speaking with these people, you become afraid every time the phone rings. Get a friend and pretend that person is the person you fear. If you practice your responses, you will be ready to take the call.

• 3

  Study. If part of your job entails marketing products to strangers, for example, you may be afraid that you will not be able to answer questions or that you will not be able to speak knowledgeably about your product. If you know everything there is to know about your product, you will be able to speak confidently.

• 4

  Prepare yourself. Some people avoid making calls because they are afraid the person on the other end will ask the reason for the call or will respond negatively to whatever you need to ask. Prepare in advance for negative reactions, and you will not be as scared.

• 5

  Make your call when you feel your best. If it doesn't matter what time you need to make your call, choose a time you feel best. If you are a morning person, place your call then.