I have an important phone call to make and I'm having really high anxiety about it. Coping strategies?

Hey, relax, this had to have happened all the time. I’m sure there are procedures in place to walk you through this. It was complicated stuff, and you’re online enough to negotiate sites. Think of someone who isn’t used to being online. So it has to be easier than you think. and what’s the worse possible downside? So make the call. If you need more help I’ll do what I can.

I find preparing helps. I often have to call strangers to do interviews and it can make me quite anxious.

Make a list of everything you need to ask. Have all the paperwork you need set out in front of you. Make sure everything is visible so you’re not shuffling through papers trying to find that one document that’s become trapped behind another.

Make sure your dog/children/other distractions are occupied. Have a glass of water close by.

Then remember, the person on the other end of the line is a human being. They’re just doing their job. They might be nice, but they really aren’t invested in making your life hard. So pick up the phone and dial. It will be fine. Once you dial, it’s done and you’ll calm down as you start talking to them. The worst part is making yourself pick up the phone.

I have had this fear before too and almost always when I finally make the call, I have found the nicest person to help me out.
As @Earthbound_Misfit says, make a list of what you want to say or ask. Be prepared with any information they may need from you such as your social security number.

Some excellent ideas. Get a file setup with personal info, tax returns, medical issues, and anything else related, so when you call it’s all at your fingertips.

Don’t take it personally. You are just dealing with the faceless bureaucracy.

Have you tried it yet?

No, I gathered everything and I’ll make the call when I wake up. I’m just so tired now and I have nowhere to be tomorrow.

Okay just relax and don’t stress about it tonight. This is new to everyone, so I’m sure it will be easier than you think.

As @Earthbound_Misfit says, prep is good. Have all the info they may need in front of you and make a list of questions/concerns you may have. And then… just call. I can practically guarantee the call will go far better than you think, and just think how relieved you’ll be when it’s done!.

If you call a community clinic in your town, I bet they have someone who can help you, they’ll get your password straightened out and help you get re-enrolled. And they will do it for free.

@hug_of_war Coming in to work this morning I heard a radio ad for the Southern Tier Independence Center offering help and assistance with the insurance program. PM me if you’d like their number. They should be able to refer you to someone in your area.

You weren’t emailed a password were you? It might be in a folder somewhere.

How did your call go?

Good, they reset everything for me

Well done!

You beat your fear. Well done. I hope it went much better than you expected it would.

Good job. :)