What Is Telephobia And Why It Is On The Rise Among Young Adults

Do phone calls make you immensely anxious and nervous? For many of us, the answer might be a ‘yes’. But for those, who feel talking over the phone is nothing short of a struggle, this could be something serious. If you are someone who experiences physical symptoms of anxiety and stress when the phone rings, then you might be suffering from a mental health condition called telephobia aka phone anxiety. This article takes a deep dive into what telephobia actually is, its causes, signs and more.

We reached out to Dr Divya Shree KR, Consultant – Psychiatry, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, who helped us understand telephobia from the lens of an expert.

Telephobia, Its Symptoms and Causes

Telephobia, also known as phone anxiety, is the fear of making or receiving phone calls. It is a subtype of social anxiety. But how would one differentiate if it is just anxiousness while taking calls or something serious? Dr Shree KR mentions the signs one should look out for:

• Feeling nervous.
• Sweating, or having a fast heartbeat before or during a phone call.
• Some people may avoid answering calls, delay calling back, or overthink what to say.
• They may also feel drained or stressed after talking on the phone.

Speaking about its causes, the expert jots down the following:

• Common causes include fear of judgment, making mistakes, or not knowing how to respond quickly.
• Lack of practice in voice conversations and dependence on texting or social media can increase this fear.
• Past negative phone experiences or social anxiety can also trigger telephobia.
• Many young people find written communication easier and feel less pressure, which makes phone conversations more challenging for them.

Is Telephobia Common Among The Youth?

“I first realised I had phone anxiety during Covid-19 pandemic. During that time, everything – from work to personal interactions – shifted to calls and video calls. Over time, I started finding texting much more comfortable. It gives me the space to respond at my own pace and the liberty to think before committing to something or giving a response. This habit gradually became part of my daily life, and I began preferring texts, even for small conversations that others would have been managed over with a quick call,” shares Devlina Bose, 29, Delhi-based PR Professional.

She adds, “For example, if a delivery person is on the way to my place, I usually avoid calling them for updates. In fact, I get slightly irritated when they call me for guidance on my location. I prefer to wait for them to find the way on their own, or if it’s not something urgent, I simply cancel the order.”

Like Devlina, 27-year-old Soumitro (name changed), Kolkata-based content writer, also avoids phone calls as much as he can. “Unless and until it is really necessary, I completely avoid calls. Even with my colleagues, I try to communicate via calls, unless it’s an absolute emergency. Even though I am working from home, and I know calls are the only way to build a rapport with my colleagues, I just prefer texts. Phone calls give me anxiety and stress.”

He adds that his work from home has worsened his telephobia, he feels. “I am mostly locked up in my room and working. I barely speak to anyone on some days. This has, I believe, made me way more socially awkward. I feel underconfident while dealing with calls.”

According to several surveys, the youth – especially Gen Z – are not comfortable talking on the phone. A 2023 survey, which was conducted on more than 1,000 Gen Z Australians – aged between 18 and 26 – discovered that almost 60% of people fear making or accepting phone calls. Another survey from the US discovered that 81% of millennials feel anxious before making a phone call.

Interestingly, one UK college even started a class to help the younger generation overcome telephobia. The college we are talking about is Nottingham College. It has launched coaching sessions on phone confidence and etiquette. The aim of this is to support the youth to overcome their telephobia.

Also Read: Do You Feel Anxious After Checking Your Phone? Expert Shares Why and Tips To Avoid

Why Are Today’s Youth Battling Phone Anxiety

Shedding light on what could be the reason behind youth’s rising struggle with phone anxiety, Dr Shree KR says: “Telephobia, or the fear of making or receiving phone calls, is rising among today’s youth. Many young people feel anxious about phone conversations because they prefer texting or chatting on social media, which gives them time to think before replying. They may fear saying something wrong or being judged for how they speak.”

She adds that the lack of non-verbal cues like facial expressions or tone makes phone calls feel stressful. “Constant use of smartphones for texting has reduced confidence in real-time communication. Also, social anxiety, fear of confrontation, and the habit of avoiding uncomfortable interactions make telephobia more common. Digital communication comfort and reduced face-to-face practice are the main reasons behind this growing trend,” explains the expert.

How Telephobia Affects Mental Health

Dr Shree KR mentions that telephobia can sometimes reflect an underlying issue or mental health condition. “It is often linked to social anxiety, where a person fears being judged or saying something wrong during a phone call. People with low self-confidence or communication anxiety may also develop this fear. In some cases, it can be a sign of general anxiety disorder, where normal daily tasks cause stress,” adds the expert.

“Telephobia may also come from negative past experiences or fear of confrontation. However, not everyone with telephobia has a mental illness; it can also result from lifestyle changes and overuse of digital communication. If phone fear affects daily life or work, speaking to a counsellor or therapist can help manage it effectively,” shares Dr Shree KR.

How Telephobia Impacts Interpersonal Relationships

One question that often gets asked is: does telephobia impact one’s relationship?

“Yes, telephobia can affect a person’s interpersonal relationships. When someone avoids phone calls, it may create distance between friends, family, or colleagues. Misunderstandings can happen when important messages are delayed or not shared clearly through texts. Loved ones may feel ignored or think the person is not interested in talking,” answers Dr Shree KR.

She adds that in professional life, avoiding calls can affect teamwork and job opportunities. “Over time, this fear can reduce social confidence and make communication less personal. Talking only through text or social media may weaken emotional connection. Learning to manage telephobia through small practice, open communication, or counselling can help rebuild stronger and more direct relationships with others,” she advises.

Also Read: Can’t Answer Calls? Know About Telephobia and Tips to Manage It

Tips to Cope With Telephobia

“Some might call it a toxic trait, but when an unknown person calls, I often let it ring and then text them instead. With close friends and family, I do talk to them. But if someone calls multiple times a day, I usually switch to WhatsApp text. The audio note feature really helps because it lets me communicate comfortably without the pressure of being on a call,” shares Bose.

To get a professional view on how to deal with telephobia, Dr Shree KR shares some simple hacks:

• To deal with telephobia, start slowly and build confidence step by step.
• Begin by talking to close friends or family over the phone for short conversations.
• Prepare notes before important calls to feel more confident.
• Practice deep breathing or relaxation exercises to calm anxiety before dialling.
• Gradually, increase the length and type of calls as comfort grows.
• Avoid overthinking and focus on the purpose of the call instead of worrying about mistakes.
• Recording practice conversations or role-playing can also help.
• Limiting texting and engaging more in voice or video calls can reduce fear.
• If phone anxiety is severe or affects daily life, seeking help from a therapist can provide coping techniques and lasting improvement.

The Final Word

Telephobia, also known as phone anxiety, is the fear of making or receiving phone calls. It can sometimes reflect an underlying mental health condition, and can affect a person’s work, relationships and daily life. But with certain simple practices and hacks, one can deal with this. One can also seek professional help if their phone anxiety gets severe.