Does email cause you anxiety? You could set up some therapy that way. I am sorry you are having these difficulties.

Hmm. Write out a series of questions you can ask and answer, keeping them short and simple.

Practice even breathing holding the phone to your ear.

Part of your fear will work itself out, and the rest will come out as you keep writing out.

Best wishes.

You can do this!

Hello Dandelion. Welcome to DS from a fellow phone-a-phobe. My shrinks seem pretty unanimous in the opine that my phone anxiety is way past simple anxiety. Mine is a brass ovaries phobia and. . . Ouch. . . The more irrational the fear, the more difficult it is to tame. I need my entire psychotherapy toolbox to handle the "All You Have To Do Is Pick Up The Phone" adventures. Well, just ^it^ all. . .

I use email, text and face-to-face whenever possible and pull out my full psychotherapy arsenal (way more than I care to type) for the All Calls.

Gentle empathy, Dandelion. Wish I had easy answers for both of us.

Welcome aboard.

Phone calls can be tough... I am pretty good at reading people's body language and miss that on the phone.

To help me, I used to write out what I wanted to say. At first, I wrote it word-for-word. In time, I would just write the main points.

It definitely helped me to alleviate some anxiety! Perhaps it may help you, too?

Phone calls make me incredibly anxious as well. But always remember that the person on the other line doesnt know who you are. Focus on your needs. Sometimes, making phone calls cater to your needs. Phone calls definitely are scary but they may help you in the long run. If you need to see a doctor because you feel sick, you must make that phone call or otherwise you'll feel even more sick. You have to make that appointment. Therapy helped me so much throughout the years I've been dealing with anxiety and depression. It's been 7 years! Make that phone call, I promise itll be worth it. People are there to help, they wont hurtyou. If anything, not making that phone call can maybe hurt you in the long run. It's ok to be afraid, but it's not ok to let that fear stop u from doing what must be done. You can do this, I PROMISE. I also need to make an appointment later today. Let's do it together <3 you will be fine I promise. There is hope.

no one calls me but those taped solicitors. wish i had a friend i cd chat by ph with with like the old days, u be well.