There are many of us who don't pick up the phone when it rings in front of them. But if the same person sends us a text message, they might be more likely to get a quick response.

This is a global trend that is more common than you might think. Studies show that the new generation is hesitant to talk on the phone.

According to a survey conducted in the UK, telephonophobia or telephobia is an anxiety disorder. More than half of people expect that when they receive an unexpected call, it is bad news.

The fear of picking up the phone is related to fears of being criticised, judged, and rejected, and comes under the ambit of social anxiety.

People who suffer from anxiety do not like receiving calls from unknown numbers or engaging in long phone conversations. Interestingly, they are okay with sending voice notes to convey their thoughts instead.

The survey also says that people between the ages of 34 and 54 do not have this problem.

Are you someone who dreads the sound of your ringtone or always keeps your phone on silent for the above reasons? Fear not, since we have some tactics handy to make things easier. As the Franklin D Roosevelt quote goes, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

  • Get it done rather than ruminate - Instead of giving yourself time to think about everything that could go wrong, just go to a quiet space and dial that number! Whether you are calling a friend or a colleague, every time you practise this will make the next call easier to get through.

  • Plan ahead - In cases of booking an appointment, calling customer service, or any such conversation that requires specific details, make sure to note down the information in a way that is easily accessible for you before picking up your phone.

  • Logic with yourself - People do not think about you half as much as you assume they do. So no, you do not sound awkward, and no call centre executive or travel agent is going to remember the specifics of your conversation later on. Besides, you get to try again with every new call, so go easy on yourself.

  • Therapy could help - Although it might sound trivial, telephobia can affect your self-confidence and daily affairs. Since it is an anxiety disorder, it is worth talking to a mental health professional to get to know the root cause of your fear and possible strategies to tackle it.

  • Try expressing your fear to friends who prefer calls over texts and seek their support on this journey.

Practise these steps on a regular basis and keep track of your progress, which will motivate you to overcome the dread of phone calls.

Remember that it is normal to want to be liked and accepted by people, and that you are not alone in this struggle. Taking baby steps one day at a time is the best way to face those phone calls with ease.

Look at it this way: conversations help build connections rather than isolate us, and isn’t connection what we all crave? So the next time your phone rings, just say hello like a pro! You will get there.