Social anxiety...even on the phone

[CarolM]

Does anyone else have social anxiety...even on the phone. i feel like i don't know what to say and then i'm thinking i don't know what to say, then i'm thinking i'm probably making the other person uncomfortable.

[Lorie2110]

the phone is the only place i dont worry with social anxiety. go figure, but i am very uncomfortable with crowds and it is very hard for me to go to work to be around other people . if i didnt need money to live, i woudnt go to work .i have no self esteem therefore i feel out of place around other people.it didnt seem that i was like that 20 years ago. but i am know. i will make any excuse not to go somewhere , and im always sending my daughter to run pay bills ,take care of buss. for me. along with lots of other problems i have .

[lovely24]

That makes me laugh just reading what you have posted because I feel the same way.I have social anxiety and I think I was born with it.I do get anxiety when I am on the phone and anytime I have to be around people.The funny thing is that I am getting anxiety just posting this comment.I can deal with my anxiety now because of this program and I also meditate which has helped me.Meditation has helped me control my panicky feelings.I dont remember the last time I have had a full blown panic attack which feels really good because I used to get them weekly if not daily.I feel your pain but remember what doesnt break you only makes you stronger.I also recommend a book that got me started meditating.Its called FULL CATASTROPHE LIVING and the author is JOHN KABAT-ZINN,PH.D.When my doctor recommended this book I was skeptical because I judged it thinking that is was going to be weird but it along with meditating has changed my life.Much love to you!!

[Gigi123]

Yes, I use to get anxious speaking on the phone. That seems funny to me now because I no longer suffer from any fear of talking on the phone. But at work I will occasionally experience a bit of nerves before making an important phone call, I think that's normal though. The more you do it, the easier it'll get. In my past job, I worked in an office with many cubicles, not much privacy and had to make quite a few phone calls. I was very nervous at first, worrying that everyone in the office could hear everything I was saying, I thought "what if I mess up, or I forget what to say?" I had a few calls that were probably not all that smooth but I after a year and a half, I didn't think twice about picking up the phone and was FAR more confident. So the only way to get really good at it, is to practice.

[Flyer99]

So many of us are different. I don't like big crowds at all but I find that my telephone is a lifeline for me. If I get anxious or panicky, one of my outlets is to call a friend on the phone. Funny isn't it that so many of us have problems with something that others find comforting?

[CarolM]

Thanks for your posts. Really means a lot. Funny i have that book at home but haven't gone thru the program in it. Meditation would probably be a good idea for me because now i'm worring about something else, my blood pressure. If it's not one thing it's another. thanks again for your support!

[Michelle Holly]

I am another one who experiences social anxiety big time. It's good to know that I am not alone.
My preference of communication is through emails and writing on these forums.
yes, phone calls give me anxiety too, unless it's someone I am really comfortable with, like my boyfriend wilson, my best friend minna and my mom. Parties are tough too, but I try to push myself to go anyways. When I do go, I've noticed that I'm very clingy to my boyfriend. I really do want to change. I have a strong desire to break out of my shell and become more social.

[CarolM]

I know just what you mean. I'm the same way, parties are really tough for me. I think it's great that you still go. I do to but I wish it was easier....wish i could look forward to them vs worrying about going.

[Nanner823]

I have it over the phone as well. You are not alone. I can't even order a pizza! If you ever need to talk Im here.

[CarolM]

thanks so much. i really don't know what i'd do without this website. i really can't talk to any family or friends because they don't seem to understand why i have such a hard time with anxiety. so same here if you ever need to talk.