I don't know what it is, but picking up that phone and calling sends my heart to racing. I held the 1-800 number for Alabama Vocational Rehabilitation in my hand as I stood over the phone, picked it up, and listened for the dial tone. I slammed it back down.
"What's wrong?" Rosa asked, walking into my computer room after hearing that loud noise. I was so frustrated.
"I am scared of calling," I said. "I am afraid they won't help me. I am afraid to talk to another person."
"Do you want me to call?"
"No, I just want to get over these fears of the phone!" was my aggravated reply.
I paced the floor some more as Rosa left to go watch some TV.
"You're acting crazy!" Rosa hollered from the other room. "Calm down and lay down!"
I took Rosa's advice and lay down for a few moments. My heart was beating furiously in my chest. It almost felt like one of my anxiety attacks was about to start. I felt better, though, in a few moments. I never did make the call.
12 comments:
You can do it, Andrew! What's the worst that would happen? They wouldn't help? Then you'd be just in the same place you are right now, only you'd have tried and that's another victory! You can do it!! Go, man, Go! Remember how satisfied you will feel when you get in the program and get lining up all those accomplishments.
This morning I had to set up an Avon delivery. Calling the Avon lady was soooo stressful. But I did it! You can do it too. And when you do you feel so good.
sharyna
You can do it maybe not today but sometime I think you can. I have some of the same issues. Maybe an idea is to get one of those phone cards that you can use to call local or long distance so you can call at home so you do not have to go over to your parents to do so..maybe they have an email address?
I don't have a fear of the phone, but I do hate using it. After 35 years of spending lots of time on the phone at my job, I gladly stay away from it. The only reason I have a cell phone is for safety. Living in a metropolitian area you just about have to have one, especially driving my old van. I have to be able to contact AAA. LOL :-)
I have a major fear and hatred of the phone myself. I have a hard time talking to people that I can not see unless it is through email/comments/posts. I like to make eye contact and see body language. They are both important ways for me to understand people.
Email is my preferred way of communicating because I can take my time to write out what I want to say. I hate the pressure of having to say the right thing at the right time with using the phone.
I always get anxious and flustered too when I have to talk on the phone and get easily enraged when things don't go well when doing business on the phone. I never get important business done on the phone because at the first sign of difficulty I either cuss them out and/or slam down the phone.
Thankfully my wife does most of the phone stuff for me. She's a godsend (even though I don't believe in God lol).
I hate the sound of the phone ringing. Every time I hear it I jump and my heart races. I feel like the phone ringing is an invasion of my privacy.
Thank goodness for caller ID!!!
Tomorrow is another day. Sometimes it helps me to write out what I am going to say if it is a hard call to make.
Lena
Yup, there's always tomorrow, or another day.
I have phone troubles too, and I sometimes write down what I want to say, like Lena suggested. It's still hard to call, but the "script" helps. Good luck with this, Andrew.
try again tomorrow! no sweat, or should I say, less sweat? :)
Always,
Crusty~
Lots of folks have trouble with the phone. There's nothing wrong in making a list of the things you want to say and the questions you want to ask. And then practice. Saying it out loud once, even to yourself, takes away the mystery.
I hate the phone too. Email gives me more time to think. But sometimes you have to call. You can do it.
I too have a telephone phobia. I like dealing with stuff via the internet so I do not have to talk to people. I never thought it was fear; I do not know why it is.
I do put off calls. I have to force myself to do it. But there is always a sense of relief when it is done. The calls usually go better than I expected.
You got the car back, so think positive again. If you can.
As you can see by the other comments, you are not alone with the fear of the phone thing. I hate talking to someone I do not know too! It's awful! But, once you push yourself to do it, it really is not as bad as you thought it would be. I really do hope you make the call or go to that place to get help. I am sure it would make you feel a lot better.
I am really happy to hear that you got your car back! That is wonderful!!
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