Phone Calls Make Me Anxious Now – Can Therapy Help?

If you feel nervous every time the phone rings—or avoid calling people altogether—you’re not alone.

For many adults living with a neurological condition like stroke, Parkinson’s, brain injury, MS, or MND, phone calls become a major source of stress. You may feel unsure about how you sound, worried about being misunderstood, or simply anxious about keeping up with the conversation.

This blog explores why phone calls feel so difficult and how speech therapy can help you feel more confident, calm, and in control.

Why Do Phone Calls Feel So Hard?

Phone calls remove all the usual clues we get from body language and facial expressions. That means your brain and speech have to work harder—especially if you have:

• Slurred or unclear speech

• Quiet voice or low volume

• Trouble finding the right words quickly

• Slow processing or memory issues

• Anxiety about how others will react

On the phone, there’s no time to pause and think. You may feel rushed or interrupted. And when you can’t see the other person, it’s harder to know if they’re following what you’re saying.

You Might Notice:

• Dreading making or answering calls

• Getting flustered mid-sentence

• Struggling to explain what you need

• Speaking too quietly or too fast

• Avoiding calls altogether

This can have a big impact. You might miss important appointments, rely on others to make calls for you, or feel cut off from friends and family.

It’s Not Just the Speech – It’s the Confidence

Many people say things like:

• “I feel embarrassed when I have to ask someone to repeat themselves.”

• “People keep saying, ‘What?’ and I just give up.”

• “I know what I want to say, but my words won’t come out right.”

Over time, this can lead to frustration, low mood, and isolation. But the good news is: you don’t have to stay stuck.

How Speech Therapy Can Help With Phone Anxiety

Speech therapy can help you:
✅ Improve your speech clarity and voice control
✅ Practise real-life phone conversations in a safe, supportive space
✅ Build strategies to stay calm and focused during calls
✅ Use scripts or prompts to reduce pressure
✅ Rebuild your confidence with every session

Whether your speech has changed due to a health condition—or you’ve simply lost confidence after past struggles—therapy can give you the tools to communicate clearly and calmly again.

Therapy Focuses on What Matters Most to You

This could include:

• Booking a GP appointment over the phone

• Calling a friend or family member

• Speaking to a delivery driver or utility company

• Leaving a voicemail

• Answering calls without fear

There’s no pressure to “get it perfect.” The goal is progress that helps you feel more independent and less anxious in everyday life.

You're Not Alone—And It’s Not Too Late to Get Support

It doesn’t matter if your difficulties started recently or years ago. With the right support, improvement is possible.

Even small wins—like making one successful call—can have a huge impact on your confidence and independence.

Want to Feel More Confident on the Phone Again?

Support is available to help you:

• Speak more clearly and calmly

• Reduce anxiety around calls

• Practise everyday communication in real-world ways

Book a consultation today to learn how therapy could support you or a loved one.