Phone anxiety - or telephobia - is the fear and avoidance of phone conversations.

It is more than just disliking a phone. You may feel extremely nervous or anxious before, during and after the call. You may obsess or worry about what you will say. Physical symptoms include nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, and muscular tension.

Phone calls only focus on our voice. Other social cues are absent, making talking on the phone daunting.

• Anxious people may prefer texting, seeing it as a superior medium of expressive and intimate contact.
• Texting can give people a chance to think about their words but can potentially encourage the development of a different personality to their real-life self.
• Phone calls may also feel overwhelming because we feel the pressure of being someone else's sole focus.

The best way to overcome phone anxiety is to make more phone calls.

• Start by making a list of the people you need to speak to on the phone, like friends or colleagues.
• Consider what makes you anxious, for example, making a mistake.
• When the call is over, acknowledge your success.

If you've tried to overcome your phone anxiety or need professional help, counselling might be a great option. Cognitive-behavioural therapy is another effective treatment.