What I'm about to say is true, though many might think I'm being funny. Talking on the phone makes me anxious. I have an actual phone phobia. The thought of talking on the phone, right this very minute, is making me feel nauseous. There are only a handful of people I actually speak to on the phone: My husband, my sister, my brother and my mom (I consider that less than a handful actually). When my cell phone rings, I get nervous, I stop breathing and my pulse kicks it up a notch. Phone phobias are real, and also known as telephonophobia, telephobia. The Wikipedia description is spot on!
My telephone phobia began when I was in junior high school. My best friend would call, and we would chat about a few things, but then there would be long periods of silence because neither knew what to talk about next. I felt like an idiot, a dork, an uncomfortable dork. Phone conversations became something I didn't look forward to. Hell, they terrified me!
This phone phobia plagues me even now. Imagine how excited I was in the early 90s when emailing began. I was so much happier communicating. Now that texting and chatting are the norm, I've noticed I shy away from the phone even more (if that's possible), and I like it!
When I was unemployed, I couldn't stand to do phone interviews, especially technical phone interviews. My phobia would rear its ugly head the night before a scheduled call, with symptoms including upset stomach, restlessness, shakes, and sometimes hives to boot. These symptoms would last until I got the phone call "over with."
The thing is, I'm a very social person, in person, emails, texts and chats. I'm a very personable, outgoing chick! I love getting and answering emails. I get so excited when someone texts me! I enjoy going out and hanging out with friends. I'm even fine at parties where I know almost no one. I can talk to people...in person, just not on the phone.
I've made peace with my phone phobia and we are pals now. I can make fun of myself and this little quirk of mine. It is funny if you've never experienced this sort of thing. If you have, then you know what a ringing phone can do!
The funniest part of this phone phobia business, to me? My degree is a BS in Communications!
--Fortuitous Observer
