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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by janejj on December 5, 2001, at 16:14:59
Hi,
Does anyone else finf that they can't call people when they're depressed. I have three outstanding really important phone calls that i have to make and i just can't do it !! one is for my last pay cheque which the company has failed to send me. One is to cancel a $400 bill which has been incorrectly charged to me and another is to the bank. Why am i having such a hard time doing this. Its so annoying ! Its like i'm scared or something. I wish i could stop being so pathetic. I know i have to do it. Or i wish none of thses stupid problems had occured in the first place so that i wouln't have to deal with them. I know if i do call its just going to be difficult, especially the bill one. Oh life, its so crap aometimes.
Regards,
Janejj
Posted by storm on December 5, 2001, at 17:58:14
In reply to Phoning people when you're depressed, posted by janejj on December 5, 2001, at 16:14:59
I know exactly what you mean. it's such small stuff but it seems worse than everything else. I've always had such difficulty calling people, I didn't realize it was probably related to the depression though. when I was younger mom would always make me call if I had a question or problem, "I was old enough and perfectly capable of it". I would sometimes even cry for her to call, she thought I was just to shy or soemthing. I suppose it's alot more than that knowing someone else with depression feels that way. even still, I put off calls until I absolutely have to, or try to get out of it. even to the dr. it's horrible.
> Hi,
>
> Does anyone else finf that they can't call people when they're depressed. I have three outstanding really important phone calls that i have to make and i just can't do it !! one is for my last pay cheque which the company has failed to send me. One is to cancel a $400 bill which has been incorrectly charged to me and another is to the bank. Why am i having such a hard time doing this. Its so annoying ! Its like i'm scared or something. I wish i could stop being so pathetic. I know i have to do it. Or i wish none of thses stupid problems had occured in the first place so that i wouln't have to deal with them. I know if i do call its just going to be difficult, especially the bill one. Oh life, its so crap aometimes.
>
> Regards,
> Janejj
Posted by Sourceror on December 5, 2001, at 18:23:22
In reply to Re: Phoning people when you're depressed, posted by storm on December 5, 2001, at 17:58:14
I know exactly what you mean. It is often the small stuff that gets to me. I often times know it is not going to be that bad but I build it up in my mind that it is going to be as painful as root canal. You are not alone in this struggle if it helps at all. Good luck.
L8R,
The Sourceror
Posted by nightlight on December 5, 2001, at 23:26:54
In reply to Phoning people when you're depressed, posted by janejj on December 5, 2001, at 16:14:59
Dear Jane`
Phones are a menace. I don't answer them, I don't make calls. Leave me be!nightlight
Hi,
>
> Does anyone else finf that they can't call people when they're depressed. I have three outstanding really important phone calls that i have to make and i just can't do it !! one is for my last pay cheque which the company has failed to send me. One is to cancel a $400 bill which has been incorrectly charged to me and another is to the bank. Why am i having such a hard time doing this. Its so annoying ! Its like i'm scared or something. I wish i could stop being so pathetic. I know i have to do it. Or i wish none of thses stupid problems had occured in the first place so that i wouln't have to deal with them. I know if i do call its just going to be difficult, especially the bill one. Oh life, its so crap aometimes.
>
> Regards,
> Janejj
Posted by Cecilia on December 6, 2001, at 3:51:01
In reply to Re: Phoning people when you're depressed » janejj, posted by nightlight on December 5, 2001, at 23:26:54
> Dear Jane`
> Phones are a menace. I don't answer them, I don't make calls. Leave me be!
>
> nightlight
>
>
>
> Hi,
> >
> > Does anyone else finf that they can't call people when they're depressed. I have three outstanding really important phone calls that i have to make and i just can't do it !! one is for my last pay cheque which the company has failed to send me. One is to cancel a $400 bill which has been incorrectly charged to me and another is to the bank. Why am i having such a hard time doing this. Its so annoying ! Its like i'm scared or something. I wish i could stop being so pathetic. I know i have to do it. Or i wish none of thses stupid problems had occured in the first place so that i wouln't have to deal with them. I know if i do call its just going to be difficult, especially the bill one. Oh life, its so crap aometimes.
> >
> > Regards,
> > JanejjI can totally relate. I hate making phone calls and hate even more answering them--I almost always let the machine take the call and then call back after preparing myself psychologically: it makes me anxious not knowing who`s on the other end.
Posted by fi on December 6, 2001, at 6:28:59
In reply to Phoning people when you're depressed, posted by janejj on December 5, 2001, at 16:14:59
That one is horribly familiar!
Its a huge hassle, particularly when you are having to argue or complain. And the fact you dont have to do it at any specific time (unlike getting out of bed or going to work) means you can keep putting it off. Nothing to do with being stupid or weak- its just daunting.
I'm fine at the moment but need to chase a builder and a plumber. And havent, tho both are 'easy' calls. The first one I've needed to do for a couple of months, and the second for about 3 weeks (I have to flush the toilet by taking the top off the cistern and using a lever in there, as the handle wont work).
So join the club!
Fi
Posted by JohnDoenut on December 6, 2001, at 13:34:33
In reply to Re: Phoning people when you're depressed, posted by Cecilia on December 6, 2001, at 3:51:01
>it makes me anxious not knowing who`s on the >other end.
Get caller ID and private call blocking.
Most of the time it works.
If its an unknown caller then let the machine get it!
Posted by janejj on December 6, 2001, at 16:34:48
In reply to Re: Phoning people when you're depressed, posted by JohnDoenut on December 6, 2001, at 13:34:33
Hi,
Thanks for the replies !I don't feel so alone in this now, you guys are great !!
Take Care
J
> >it makes me anxious not knowing who`s on the >other end.
>
> Get caller ID and private call blocking.
> Most of the time it works.
> If its an unknown caller then let the machine get it!
Posted by Jane D on December 7, 2001, at 2:35:06
In reply to Re: Phoning people when you're depressed, posted by janejj on December 6, 2001, at 16:34:48
I'm also relieved that other people feel this way. This has always really embarrassed me. It seemed so silly to be afraid to make any calls where I had to ask for something even information. Sometimes it's even someone I deal with on a regular basis. It only happens with calls that are in some way official. I may not always feel like making or receiving social calls but they don't frighten me. But anything like calling the bank or making a doctors appointment is sometimes nearly impossible. I've grown to love the automated systems where you never need to speak to a real person.
It's always embarrassed me more than being afraid of some face to face encounters but I think it's really the same thing. For instance I can walk through the supermarket checkout line with no problem but absolutely can't ask where something is.
Having said that I'm off to complain on the pharmacy thread about the impersonal nature of chain drug stores even though sometimes that impersonality makes it much easier for me to pick up my prescription.
Jane
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