Could anyone explain this for me? Does anyone feel similar? (Telephones - see inside Q)?

I have this problem with answering the telephone. I really REALLY don't like it. Whenever the telephone rings, I tense up and wait impatiently for someone else to answer it. It's like I want to unplug it the noise bothers me so much. I don't think it's about being worried about who's calling, usually it's someone I should want to talk to. Can anybody analyze this for me? Why am I like this about the telephone?

My friends think I am weird cause I hate to talk on the phone. I finally figured out that some of my problem was about having conversations that didn't include visual signals like body language, and part about something like stage fright. Another part was about feeling almost angry that the ringing thing was demanding that I answer. (I don't do well with demands!) I fixed the first 2 parts (sort of) by having phone conversations much, much more than I was comfortable with. The last I fixed with an answering machine. The phone no longer "Owns" me. I own it, screen my calls and return the ones I want. My friends know that they will have to say something to the machine or I won't answer. I don't want to talk to anyone who won't speak to the machine anyway! It is usually a sales call.

Yes, it's called Telefonofobia.

I was never bothered about the phone until I got a job in a call centre.. I found answering the phone at home became tedious and the thought of answering it annoyed me.. . I haven't wrked in a call centre for a few years now but it still bothers me when the phone rings.. . have you ever worked in a call centre or on the phone where you get abuse or anything like that??

your hatred for telephone might be analyzed tracing back your experiences as a person from childhood.Is there something about the telephone that changed your life negatively?Only you can answer your questions.Try to think of changing your behavior through using the telephone in a way best suited to your happiness.

You could screen your calls, using an answering machine to do this. The ringing will stop and you will hear the voice instead.