Social Anxiety: Phone Calls
By Toniann Seals
Does calling a restaurant to order food make you sick to your stomach? Do you have a fear of jobs whose expectations include answering phones? There is a good chance that you may have some form of social anxiety in relation to phone call phobias.
While you are on the phone do you:
- Shake?
- Feel your heart racing?
- Feel anxious?
Ways to handle a call and address issues when you suffer from social anxiety disorder:
- Practice your call in a mirror
- Talk to yourself before you talk to someone else.
- Write a script
- It is okay to have exactly what you want to say right in front of you. This can alleviate your social anxiety.
- Post it notes
- If you are doing a phone interview or at work, write a cheat sheet with common phone numbers, email addresses, resume details and facts that will come up frequently.
- Speak slowly and calmly
- Remind yourself that you do not need to rush. Take your time!
- Let an incoming call go to voicemail
- Voicemail is an option for a reason. If you are feeling exceptionally worried, take a moment and let it go to voicemail. You can always call back when you are ready.
If you or someone you know suffers from social anxiety speak with one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and psychotherapists. Contact us at our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 respectively to set up an appointment. For more information, visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/.
Sources:
https://www.verywellmind.com/afraid-making-phone-calls-tips-3024317
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