Overcoming Obstacles

Last week I completed something I have been avoiding for the longest time now. I made phone calls. Sounds like such a simple mundane task, right? To most it seems to be just that, but to me it was a monumental road block. I’ve never been comfortable making or receiving phone calls unless it was someone I knew personally. At work, I used to avoid being near the phone just so I wouldn’t have to answer it if it rang. It causes me such incredible anxiety that I almost can’t place the call, so I am very proud of myself for completing this menial chore. Especially because it was so essential to my project. It’s the only way I can set up interviews. When I get stuck in situations like this, there is always one question: why? Why do phone calls give horrible anxiety? Well, I did some research and it turns out that telephobia is an actual phobia. That surprised me because it sounds so silly; it’s simply the fear of telephones. Though that doesn’t answer what the actual cause of anxiety is, and that is very vital information because truthfully I can be a very anxious person. According to WebMD the most common external cause of anxiety is stress from any number of different sources like school and work. That was expected, and with deadline of semester project looming in front of me it is understandable why I could be stressed. I also found that anxiety can be linked to medical causes such as hypoglycemia, or abnormally low blood sugar levels. I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia about two years ago, and while it doesn’t account for the anxiety I experience specifically when I need to use the phone, it does account for the day to day I endure. If any of you also have trouble making phone calls the biggest tip I can give you is to make a script for yourself! It makes the ordeal way less stressful and unpredictable. I hope this helps anyone who experiences the same thing or entertained the people who don’t!