Do you let the phone ring out?
Lots of people find phone calls harder than they let on. When it means missing appointments or putting off things that matter, it's worth understanding. This free check helps.
Does any of this sound like you?
- You let calls go to voicemail, even from people you know
- You put off booking appointments because it means phoning
- You rehearse what you'll say before every call
Fear or phobia?
Everyone is afraid of something. A fear becomes a phobia when it's much bigger than the danger, it doesn't go away, and it starts to shape your life: the plans you make, the places you avoid, the things you miss.
Phobias are also one of the most treatable problems there are. Most people who finish a course of exposure-based therapy recover, working step by step at a pace they agree.
What you'll be asked
What is it about phone calls that you find hard?
- Not knowing what to say
- Being judged on how I sound
- Not seeing their face
- Calls I'm not expecting
- Being overheard
- Getting something wrong
Which calls do you find hard, and how hard is each one?
- Listening to a voicemail
- Phoning a close friend
- Ordering a takeaway
- Booking an appointment
- Answering an unknown number
- Phoning the GP
- A work call
- Making a complaint
Six quick questions about the last month
- How much does this affect your day-to-day life?
- How much do you avoid places, plans or situations because of it?
- How much does it affect your work, studies or caring for others?
- How much does it affect your social life, relationships or family?
- How much does it stop you doing things you want to do?
- How much distress do you feel when you think about making a phone call?
What you get at the end
Your result and what it means for everyday life, plus a starting ladder built from your own answers: the steps, easiest first, a therapist would use to help you. It's saved to a free Rephobia account, so you can come back, retake the check and see what changes.
Common questions
- Is this a diagnosis?
- No. It is a free self-check to help you understand how much this affects your life. Only a qualified professional can assess you properly.
- Will I be shown pictures or videos?
- No. The check uses words only.
- Why do you ask for my email?
- Your results are saved to a free account, so you can come back to them, retake the check and see what has changed. You confirm your email with a code, then choose a password.
- Who can see my answers?
- You can. Rephobia keeps them to show you your results. Nothing is shared with a therapist unless you choose to send a request, and nothing is sold or used for advertising.