What is Phone Anxiety And Why Do Some People Avoid Taking Calls? Signs, Symptoms And Treatment

Avoid calls too long? Does the sound of a ringing phone make you sweat and dizzy? This is because phone anxiety is very real and many people actually suffer from it.

Does the ringing of the phone cause a feeling of nervousness? Staring at the ringing screen and intentionally not answering the call? It’s okay to feel this way. While some calls are simply genuinely avoided, some people experience a sudden anxiety attack as soon as the phone rings. This is known as telephone anxiety or telephobia. In an era where the world moves with clicks and taps, the phone has become more of a necessity than a luxury. It is a way of being connected, a way of working as well. However, there are several people who probably don’t even realize this. They have this fear and the need to avoid the telephone conversation. this is often common in people who also have social anxiety disorder.

According to a report by The Conversation, a 2019 survey of UK office workers found that 76% of millennials and 40% of baby boomers have anxious thoughts when the phone rings. Because of this, 61% of millennials would avoid calls altogether, compared to 42% of baby boomers. If you are suffering from these symptoms, there are a few things you can do to make it easier.

Not everyone likes to enjoy phone conversations, but when it leads to experiencing certain symptoms and gets in the way of the daily functioning of life, that’s phone anxiety.

SYMPTOMS OF PHONE ANXIETY

The scientific consensus seems to be that it all comes down to fear of being judged. A lot of our cognitive energy goes into managing what other people think of us; In other words, for the most part, we want others to like us.

• Delay calls due to increased anxiety
• Extreme nervousness during or after the call
• Concern for what to say. People are often afraid of being judged and that they might talk about something bad.

Physical symptoms:

• Nausea
• Incrise of cardiac frecuency
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Muscle tension

HOW TO OVERCOME PHONE ANXIETY?

Many people find it unusual that such a thing as phone anxiety exists. But, it’s completely okay to be anxious about it. When someone experiences the signs and symptoms for an extended period of time, it is best to seek professional help. Approaching mental health professionals should have apprehensions around you.