Right. I know I need to use the phone here and there. I would prefer to just use it to confirm that the person who wishes to see me is genuine. I am just terrified of phones. I forget what I'm meant to be saying, my mind goes blank, I start stuttering and this is all the time, not just for escorting. The only person who doesn't send me into a fit of the heebie-phone-jeebies is my mum!

I've put on my AW profile that I would much prefer them to email me on there, or email the address on my website, than to use the phone. Yet still it rings. I kinda need to have the number showing on my profile so my web link shows. Can't seem to win. How do I stop being terrified of my phone?

Phew, not just me then. I have just realised I should have posted this in Questions and Answers. I'm made from nerves and rubbish today. I have a text template that I paste to everyone who texts telling them to read my profile again, properly, plus a link to my website - unless it's some "r u free" crap then I ignore them entirely. I ignore voice-mails, unless I literally just missed a call and I switch the phone off when unavailable. Still haven't actually seen a single client yet. I feel like I'm doing it all wrong. That or I'm attracting every timewaster ever. I'm going with that one. 

I don't think it's a phobia. It's not that I cannot pick it up or communicate, I just feel like I stutter and - due to having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which messes with my short-term memory a lot, I forget details almost as they're being said to me. I did just do very well, managed to speak to someone (who unfortunately wanted things I don't offer) and he said I sounded really nice. He sounded really nice too, why couldn't he just have wanted the right things? 

I dont like ringing people much these days as its  always their voicemail so i email instead.

I don't mind talking to them after initial contact but I prefer that contact to be by email or AW messaging system first, to get some idea of how they will come across as a person. Sudden, unexpected phone-calls are what are currently sending me to pieces. I always feel really unprepared and it makes me panic a bit. I am sure this is much to do with newbie-nerves. When I was just doing webcam, it took me ages to be comfortable enough to switch the audio on and natter away to people. I eventually got over it, with the advice from seasoned cammers.

 I guess this is much the same. I seriously do not think I need therapy, as has been suggested twice now. In fact, I feel quite upset that people would say such a thing. Clearly I'm not alone in the mini-panic that ensues when the damn thing rings at me, I just assumed that other people may have gone through similar and would have advice on how to not feel like that. I apologise if I wasn't clear enough in my opening post.
 

I don't mind talking to them after initial contact but I prefer that contact to be by email or AW messaging system first, to get some idea of how they will come across as a person. Sudden, unexpected phone-calls are what are currently sending me to pieces. I always feel really unprepared and it makes me panic a bit. I am sure this is much to do with newbie-nerves. When I was just doing webcam, it took me ages to be comfortable enough to switch the audio on and natter away to people. I eventually got over it, with the advice from seasoned cammers.

 I guess this is much the same. I seriously do not think I need therapy, as has been suggested twice now. In fact, I feel quite upset that people would say such a thing. Clearly I'm not alone in the mini-panic that ensues when the damn thing rings at me, I just assumed that other people may have gone through similar and would have advice on how to not feel like that. I apologise if I wasn't clear enough in my opening post.
 

Sorry if I have upset you Wonderlass didn't mean to upset you bu suggesting therapy,thought it was just more than the mini panic my apologies. You will be fine, we all started from somewhere, keep hold strong you will get there. Goodluck 

I guess this is much the same. I seriously do not think I need therapy, as has been suggested twice now. In fact, I feel quite upset that people would say such a thing. Clearly I'm not alone in the mini-panic that ensues when the damn thing rings at me, I just assumed that other people may have gone through similar and would have advice on how to not feel like that. I apologise if I wasn't clear enough in my opening post.

Therapy isn't like "U R MAD GET YER HEAD CHECKED WOMAN!", especially not these days. It's more like just working with a very patient professional to overcome bad habits (either behaviour or thoughts, or more likely a combo of both) which are very tricky to overcome on your own, and which can impact your life negatively.

One thing you could try instead of full-blown therapy is getting a book that's got cognitive behavioural techniques outlined in it. It's exactly the same as your general sort of therapy so is more than sufficient for day-to-day issues. I LOVE reading stuff like that - it's nothing to do with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or whatnot, it's just really helpful stuff for regular people who want to improve their lives. Let me list the things I've quit: Nail-biting, smoking, drinking coffee, drinking alcohol, junk food (I know, I am definitely Ms Dull 2012 ) and procrastination (almost!). I could never have done it without useful books helping me to figure out A) why I'm doing something that I'd rather actually stop, and B) how to finally stop.

I'm not nervous of the phone at all anymore, although on my personal phone I HATE answering unrecognised numbers - mostly because it's probably some horrible person telling me I have an old overdue bill to pay! Or, even worse, someone trying to sell me some rubbish. I used to be nervous when answering my work phone, too, but I've no time for being bothered about that sort of thing anymore. Life is very short. If I make a mistake and call someone Dick instead of Dave, I would just giggle like a numpty and carry on anyway! People are very forgiving, thankfully.

All the best, don't forget to eat us know how you are copying but I know you will surely be fine - wink wink