Language
Country/Area
No result found
Hidden Anxiety: Do you know the fear that's hidden in your heart when the phone rings?
Many of us experience an uneasy feeling when our cell phones or desk phones ring, a condition known as telephonophobia. Telephobia is a fear or reluctance to answer or make phone calls and is classified as a specific manifestation in social anxiety disorders. This fear may stem from a fear of communication, where the individual fears being criticized, judged, or ridiculed. Research shows that this condition affects millions of people, especially in today's social environment, where fear of facing the phone seems to be becoming more common.
A 2019 survey showed that 40% of baby boomers and 70% of millennials feel anxious when their phone rings.
Causes of telephone phobia
The causes of telephobia are quite diverse and may include the act of answering the phone itself, fear of the phone ringing, or even anxiety about being judged by others. The moment the phone rings, it often triggers a series of anxious thoughts, such as worrying about having to perform or have a conversation during the call. Many patients may view the other party as a threat when talking on the phone, or even worry that the other party will deliver bad news.
A victim may be anxious about how to start a call and worry about not being able to recognize the person answering the phone, which could lead to embarrassment.
Many sufferers find it particularly distressing in the workplace. They may have fear and avoidance of phone calls due to some psychological factors, such as past traumatic experiences or unpleasant phone calls with others. These factors have an even more significant impact on them when they use the phone to work.
Symptoms of telephone phobia
Symptoms of phone phobia are often very similar to those of anxiety, and common ones include a nervous stomach, sweaty palms, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, etc. In some cases, patients experience panic attacks such as hyperventilation and extreme stress.
During the healing process, individuals may encounter nightmarish thoughts, feeling panic, terror and dread.
Impact on daily life
Due to the importance of telephones in social and work life, telephone phobia affects the lives of sufferers to a large extent. Sufferers often avoid situations that require phone calls, such as arranging meetings or confirming information, and this behavior may ultimately lead to impairment of work performance and social life.
Coping and avoidance strategies
In order to overcome phone phobia, many people will develop some coping strategies, such as planning the call content in advance and writing down the main points to be said, which can reduce anxiety to a certain extent. Additionally, maintaining a private space during phone calls can also help reduce fear.
More and more young people prefer to use text chat or leave voice messages instead of making direct calls.
Treatment methods
Telephone phobia can be improved through a variety of treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychotherapy and exposure therapy. Patients can gradually increase the frequency and length of phone use to gradually reduce their fear of phone calls.
With social support and appropriate treatment, phone phobia is not an insurmountable problem. A correct understanding of this symptom can not only help patients overcome their inner anxiety, but also improve their daily lives.
With the advancement of social communication methods, are you also facing hidden anxieties?
