I have anxiety when making phone calls. How can I fix it?

[Anonymous]

More specifically it happens more when I plan on calling my crush. I usually text him as it doesn’t make me feel anxious. However he’s a bit of a dry texter lol, we actually have way better conversations over the phone. So far he has been calling me and I haven’t yet called him due to my anxiety. I always feel as though I will freeze and have no idea what to say. I need help on how to carry a conversation as well

If anyone has any advice / tips on how I can overcome this it’ll be truly appreciated. Thank you 😊

[Part2603]

First, if he hasn't mentioned it, don't worry about it.

He knows you right? He knows you get nervous.

I feel the same way. But maybe I'm better? It's not so much that I feel paralyzed, it's that I feel that I spend too much time worrying about being in the right mood, that I'm missing out.

So here's my cheat sheet. Set a deadline. Make an appointment. By that I mean that if you decide you want some affection, then set a time. "I promise to myself that I will call him by 5:00pm" And you might miss the deadline, but that's okay, the point is that you'll probably feel guilty and call him by six.

But you can also maybe negotiate an appointment with him. Tell him, "Hey, I'm free most days after work at 4. Why don't we schedule a regular thing, maybe every Wednesday?" Or whatever.

Be aware of your energy levels. Do you feel immediately exhausted after work? Then perhaps you need to call him before you go to work in the morning. Do you feel especially lonely on Saturday night? It's important to communicate your needs so that he can reach out to you when you know you need it the most.

And the number one thing. Be OPTIMISTIC! :) Why are you even worried? He's probably head over heels for you, right?

Oh yeah, and if you need conversation topics, maybe keep a mental note of interesting things that happen in your day. Or you can read the news. How do you feel about the student debt forgiveness plan that the Dem's are rolling out?

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Practice making phone calls from a place online that is a website that says call my phone when the number rings your phone, answer the phone say hello, and take things from there, pretend it's your crush calling you on the phone but whatever site it is make sure that it's not a scammer, make sure the number calling you is a local or short long-distance telephone number. Example: https://callmyphone.org/

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Thanks for MHO :)

[Anonymous]

Just pretend like you’re talking to yourself. Don’t try to register someone else is on the other line. When you talk to yourself in your head you respond to yourself. Same thing. It’s just a different voice doing it. That’s what I did and now I love phone calls

[hIopinionated_]

I love this idea !

[dustybiker]

I went through that as a teen. Just keep making calls. Make yourself if you have to. I think the doctor called it “exposure therapy”. Only way to make it easier is to keep doing it.

[blissinanarchy1]

I used to have anxiety really bad so I can relate. Here’s a tip. Don’t “fight” your anxiety. Embrace it. Be anxious, let it be known you got anxiety. It is more likely than not nowadays that he got some too. People understand how anxiety is. I got over mine not by “fighting” my anxiety, but letting it take over. It’s so common that once you open up, it’s likely others will admit it too. Fighting your anxiety will only make you more anxious.

[MysticDevice]

Honestly the only way is to just do it. I know exactly how you feel, I will do everything I can to avoid making a phone call. It just sends your brain into a tizzy thinking about it. Even with people I'm really close to.

But once you call a certain person enough it gets better. The feeling never fully goes away but it isn't as bad.

[HighlyQuestionable]

Keep a pad of paper by the 'phone.

Write down the basic outline of what you want to say.

Also, the pad of paper can be used to keep notes, so that you do not forget anything important after "hang-up" and don't suffer the anxiety of being concerned with that problem.

[Emanon25]

Don’t underestimate yourself, trust yourself.

[Asker]

Thank you. I will practice that 😊

[Jay3344]

Make more phone calls, practice and exposure will easily rid you of most of the anxiety. Call your relatives to talk, call restaurants, call friends, do it every day for a while and by the end of a few weeks you’ll be a pro.

[Iron_Man]

You’re just going to have to deal with it just make the calls and just do it” Over come adjust and adapt” Over come your fears. Practice makes perfect 👍

[Snakeyes7]

I used to be like this until I got a job where I had to be ready to answer the phone all the time.

[Anonymous]

I’m in the same boat as you. Great question… 😔🤷🏽‍♀️

[In_Trance]

Don't make phonecalls

[Fuentes]

By making the call anyway