Panic attacks and phone calls

[WhatWouldKalindaDo]

This is more a post for traffic.

I have long term panic disorder which I have been managing for many years.

It became much worse when I was pregnant, and at one point bordered on agoraphobia, which I managed to get under control, to the point of living a fairly normal life.

I have recently re-entered the work place after a few years break and my panic disorder is rearing it's ugly head again.

Phone calls have always been a trigger for me. Leaving messages particularly, but speaking to people on the phone has always been difficult.

My current job involves recording calls for security purposes, which adds to the stress.

Just looking for advice from anyone who suffers from something similar and what you have found works? I am currently on Propranolol and have had CBT in the past, both of which are fairly helpful, but not 100%.

Please help! I don't want to lose this job that I am otherwise really good at, due to my stupid anxiety!

are you answering the calls or making calls? are they very scripted (same conversation every time) or variable?

In my previous role, we had to cold call people to have a slightly complex conversation & it was definitely the worst part of the job. I found it helped to practice (in the bath etc) or even to write out a script for yourself to read from if you can. Having written bullet points to focus on helps.

And keep doing it. the more calls you do, the easier it will be.

Thank you for your response.

It's always making calls. I'm fine answering them (weirdly). But my job involves requesting information from people, so I'm always the one calling them. It's the build up of it I think, dialling, listening to the ring tone, and then by the time they answer I can't get my words out. It's awful. It was triggered by an answer phone message I left someone years ago, where I randomly started hyperventilating whilst leaving the message and has gradually got worse since then.

Hi, OP- you’re not alone. I could have written this. I actually made a thread the other day and the amount of people in the same boat was overwhelming: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4449937-How-are-you-with-phone-calls
There are some tips and some reassuring stories in there

balladofthesadcafe

Thank you so much for linking your thread. I've had a quick look and it looks like there's some really helpful information and advice on there. I will give it a more thorough read tomorrow, but thanks so much! It helps to know I'm not on my own!