Phobia, n.
1. A persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear of a specific thing or situation that compels one to avoid it, despite the awareness and reassurance that it is not dangerous.
2. A strong fear, dislike, or aversion.
Phone Phobia, n.
An abnormal and irrational fear of telephoning.
Just the Facts, Ma’am!
In a recent study, researchers say they are focusing on several issues of the debilitating yet (heretofore) unrecognized affliction aptly named phone phobia. Unstudied to now, this affliction can be debilitating for its sufferers not only because of its direct effects but also because it is so widely misunderstood in mainstream society. As one phobic, who wishes to remain nameless says, “People take phone phobia to be a joke. They don’t understand that phone phobia limits an otherwise capable person and that because society doesn’t recognize this affliction, it hinders others from saying they suffer also. That in turn makes phone phobia seem even more minute.”
Experts agree. In fact, they say they’ve uncovered several facts about phone phobia that henceforth have been unrealized. “The major breakthrough,” one researcher says, “is that we’ve isolated three specific incidents that can make the phobic feel more threatened.”
Studies show phobia increases if the phobic has to speak to a middleman before reaching the person they desired.
Ex: Hello Mrs. Robinson. May I speak to your daughter?
Also, researchers report, phobia increases if the telephonee does not know whom the telephoner is and needs an explanation.
Ex: This is Lisa from the Workforce Center. I work with your counselor …
Dialing a wrong number is ego-shattering. It may take days to recover. Researchers report of one case where it took the phobic more than one workweek to recover enough to try calling again.
“The major breakthrough, though,” one researcher shares, “is that research has shown, that phone phobia increases the most when other non-phobics are within hearing distance of said conversations.”
Working in cubicles is a typical example of this. The pressure to perform quickly and succinctly is great, and the phobic many times feels restricted. “It’s like having someone read over your shoulder,” another researcher analyzes.
Could YOU be phone phobic?
“Many people are unaware even that phone phobia exists,” shares a spokesperson from Awareness and Understanding for Phone Phobics, a regional organization recently founded. “That in itself is a devastating effect on helping phobics get the help they need.” Typical symptoms of phone phobia are sweating, shortness of breath, mild nausea and/or butterflies in the stomach anytime the mention of telephoning an unknown party is mentioned. More severe symptoms include the phobic going to any length to avoid making calls to unknown parties.
How Much Do YOU Know about Phone Phobia???
--When dialing people such as family and friends, the phobic is usually not afflicted by the debilitating disease
--It is not receiving calls that is debilitating for the phobic, it is making calls.
--It is not actually speaking to the telephoned person that the phobic fears most, it is the idea that before that person picks up something could go wrong: a wrong number, the desired person may not be at home, the desired person may not know who the caller is, etc. etc. It is these "what-ifs" that render a perfectly capable and sane person into a blithering phone phobic.
So before you judge: think of your worst fear (enclosed spaces? spiders? heights?) and remember--you are a capable person until you are in this position.
****This message brought to you by AUPP (Awareness and Understanding for Phone Phobics)****
