JC
Newbie
Posts: 47
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Post by JC on Aug 27, 2013 9:58:35 GMT
There's one aspect of my illness, albeit a minor one, that I wondered if other people have to deal with. I'm sure I'm not the only one.
Anyway, as I have Social Anxiety Disorder, I have a real problem using the phone.
I can pick up the phone and ring people I know or answer the phone to people I know (thank you Caller ID), but I won't answer the phone if I don't know the number and I can't ring anyone I don't know or know very little.
Also, I have trouble ringing someone I know if I have to first go through to someone else I don't know who will pass on the call.
I don't need help with this or anything, I just wondered if other people have this problem too.
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Post by Bex on Aug 28, 2013 18:49:51 GMT
Hey JC,
I am EXACTLY the same when it comes to this. Although sometimes I won't even answer the phone to people I know, even if it is a friend or family member. I always think they'll text or leave me a voicemail if it is something urgent that needs to be dealt with right away. Then, when I'm in a more stable mood I can call them back.
When it comes to calling people to do with banking, bills, benefits and that kind of thing I just become a stuttering mess and end up having to get Jake to speak to them for me or asking if I can e-mail them. A lot of companies are now more than happy for me to send an e-mail, knowing that I find it too difficult to talk on the phone!
So don't worry, you're not alone on that one.
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JC
Newbie
Posts: 47
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Post by JC on Aug 29, 2013 11:58:22 GMT
It's good to know it's not just me.
It does complicate your life when people say you have to phone them or they're not good with computers and would rather you phone them, because the instant they say that, I know I'm never going to do it.
As you say, even if you can talk to someone you don't know on the phone, your mind kind of goes blank and you feel like you're autopiloting through the call.
But no, I can pick up the phone to numbers I know and phone people in my family. As I've said, I don't have any friends offline, so having to phone them isn't a problem.
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Joe
Newbie
Posts: 49
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The Phone
Aug 29, 2013 14:51:12 GMT
via mobile
Post by Joe on Aug 29, 2013 14:51:12 GMT
I have real problems using the phone too, i simply hate using the phone, if ever i need to phone a friend for a reason, i'll get straight to the point and try and end the call asap. If someone phones my mobile i tend to ignore it as i end up working myself up before hand (thinking oh what do they want, what will i say, will it be awkward etc.) I'm of he same mindset as you Bex, i have an answer machine if its important! Anyway i always let it ring out then text them asking what they wanted in the hooe they just text instead.
It took me days to pluck up the courage to phone the benefits people to apply for ESA, so i was really set aback when i was put on hold because you just have to sit there a sweaty shaking mess waiting for them to decide when they will speak to you!
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Post by ellief on Aug 30, 2013 10:50:32 GMT
I struggle with phone calls too, but sometimes even with people I know. I find it really difficult to ring my crisis team because it makes me incredibly anxious not knowing who will answer and my mind goes blank when I do and I feel like I can't speak. Makes accessing help really difficult sometimes because I just get too nervous. Sometimes I'm lucky and if I ring a lady called Vicky answers and she's the nurse I find easiest to talk to and she helps me calm down somehow and is always quite happy to let me pause to gather my thoughts between speaking. But most of the time I'm too anxious to call people. If anyone knows or finds any ways to get around it I'd love to know them.
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Post by BethH on Sept 2, 2013 14:51:24 GMT
I never phone people if I can possibly help it. Even if one of my parents says I have to call someone I just text and then tell my parents that I called but they weren't there.
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The Phone
Sept 2, 2013 21:37:12 GMT
via mobile
Post by lucyrob on Sept 2, 2013 21:37:12 GMT
I haven't got an anxiety disorder, but I struggle with phone calls!!! Only recently started talking to my closest friends and family on the phone... Always avoid talking to unknown people on the phone though
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