Why does this extremely really distress me? do i need help?

38% Normal
7 Comments

I share a house with my grandparents, and because they are both quite old and unable we had a house phone in two rooms because I can usually get to it faster. They have both purchased mobile phones now and use them instead of the house phones, so they have been rendered useless but they have kept them anyway. The only calls we get now are usually telemarketers.

So whenever the phone rings, they let it ring. It just rings and rings and rings.

For some reason, the sound of the phone ringing really distresses me, even before this. Whenever the phone rings I get a terrible sense of dread, my heart beats wildly, I shake, and I start to have some sort of minor panic attack I can`t really explain it. It just stresses me out terribly.

Now that they no longer answer the phone (and we get like 2 calls a day minimum) they just let the phone ring and it really distresses me. It makes me feel crazy - it`s just a phone ringing, yet I tear my hair out with panic and break into tears nearly ever time. It`s making me think that I`m not right in the head. I`m wondering if anyone could possibly know a reason for it? Or if it`s a normal or common thing and if I could find easy help for it?

I already have struggled with a few problems with depression, but never anything THIS bad. The phone ringing just really sets me off.

No on knows about it other than my best friend so I`m not exactly excited to tell my family. Which is why I`ve come here for any kind of help first just in case.

Anything is helpful. Thanks.

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38% Normal
Based on 39 votes (15 yes)
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Comments ( 7 )
  • Devyn
    11 years ago

    Here are some possibilities

    a) If you have ever got bad news over the phone. The phone ringing might trigger the psychological response you had to that news, especially if the phone keep ringing.

    b) You may have a subconscious need for certain routines or practices. e.g. if a phone rings, pick it up, if you exit a room switch off the lights, that sort of thing. This needed may be exaggerated by stress and depression to the extent that if it isn't fulfilled you panic and feel out of control.

    Ways to deal with it

    1) Explain the problem to your grandparents and ask them to remove the phone

    2) See a therapist to sort out your psychological response to the phone ringing

    3) Answer the phone every time.

    4) unplug the phone yourself without notifying your grandparents.

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    • GuessWho
      11 years ago

      ^ This.
      You stated everything that I would have and saved me the time of typing up a similar message. Thank you.

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  • RBP1
    8 years ago

    I kinda get what youre saying and your not nuts.. (then again nothing wrong with being a bit nutty)
    Im thinking if you used to get abusive phone calls or like myself have had debt problems and debt collectors ringing you hate the sound of the phone as it heralds the beginning of a problem and perhaps one that you cant deal with..
    If it is something like the above call the person that would be calling you, this way you have taken control and lay out the way its going to be.. thats what i did and it worked out ok. although im still not so keen on taking calls from private and undisclosed numbers

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  • [Old Memory]
    11 years ago

    Let the phone ring and endure your fear

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  • boehawk
    11 years ago

    Turn the ringer off or hook it to a answering machine and set it to answer with out sounding a ring .

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  • dirtybirdy
    11 years ago

    I think you should unplug the phone. Crazy, I know.

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  • x1frosty16
    11 years ago

    I think the phone ringing on and on drives everyone crazy to some degree but not quite to the extremes you've mentioned. Maby its depression, but the only things I can really suggest is 1. Buy earplugs 2. Rip the phone from the wall 3. Move and don't have a phone lol

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