Living in Fear of Your Phone 接個電話也會讓你害怕！？ We’ve become so dependent on our smartphones that it was only a matter of time. 我們過度依賴智慧型手機，遲早會變得畏懼它們。
Does the sound of a ringing telephone give you the shakes? If so, don’t worry, you’re not alone. You might simply suffer from a condition called “telephobia,” the fear of talking on the phone. These days, many people avoid talking on the phone. We’re so used to texting and sending direct messages that speaking on the phone has become uncomfortable. For some, this fear becomes so serious that it’s actually a phobia. Knowing that someone is going to call them sparksintense anxiety. They will then try to figure out any way possible to avoid taking the call. Telephobia could be caused by a bad experience in the past, such as getting terrible news via◆ the phone. If you suffer from it, know that there is help. Treatment usually involves taking small steps, like calling a store to ask what time it closes. Later, a sufferer◆ might call a restaurant to inquire◆ about the daily specials. Over time, the patient learns that using the phone need not be a terrifying experience. After all, no one should have to live in fear of their phone.
1. dependent a. 依賴的，依靠的 be dependent on... 依賴…… Even though Matt is 40, he is still dependent on his family for many things. 雖然麥特已年屆四十，但他在很多事情上還是很依賴家庭。
2. the shakes n. 寒顫，顫抖，哆嗦 Even after years of public speaking, Nicole still gets the shakes before going on stage. 即便妮可公開演講多年，但她在上臺前依舊會顫抖。
3. suffer from... 飽受（某疾病）之苦 Micky has been suffering from lung cancer for years. 米奇多年來一直為肺癌所苦。
4. text vi. & vt.（用手機）傳簡訊 Some people nowadays text their company to call in sick. 現在有些人傳簡訊向公司請病假。
5. spark vt. 引起，導致，激發 The movie sparked an interesting discussion on the internet. 這部電影在網路上引發了有趣的討論。
6. intense a. 強烈的；激烈的 The intense heat of summer in southern Taiwan sometimes can be too much for people. 南臺灣夏天的酷熱有時對人們來說太熱了。
7. anxiety n. 焦慮，不安 You need to calm down and not let anxiety affect your performance. 你必須冷靜下來別讓不安影響了你的表現。
8. terrifying a. 令人害怕的，很可怕的 = horrible Being stuck in an elevator alone is terrifying because there is no one who can help you. 獨自一人被困在電梯裡很可怕，因為沒有人可以幫你。
◆via prep. 經由，透過 ◆sufferer n.（尤指某種疾病的）患者，受苦者 ◆inquire vi. 詢問，打聽
Social phobia can make being around other people feel like a nightmare. （社交恐懼症可以讓與他人相處時感覺像是一場夢魘。） People who suffer from claustrophobia are afraid of getting into elevators. （患有幽閉恐懼症的人會害怕坐進電梯。）
