Author:
Florence Bailey
Date Of Creation:
21 March 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
Fear of escalators or escalaphobia affects many people around the world. If you suffer from escalaphobia, you may feel trapped when you are at the top of the escalator. You may also feel that you will fall or fall off of it. When you try to step on an escalator, your heartbeat may increase, you may get a fever, shortness of breath, and sudden tremors. To cope with this fear, you can completely avoid traveling on escalators in supermarkets, subways, office buildings and other public places. If you just have a general fear of escalators and not a phobia, then you can change your escalator riding habits. If you are suffering from escalaphobia, then you may need specialized help and therapy.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Change Your Habits
1 When on the escalator, look forward, not down. When you ride the escalator, keep your eyes on the moving steps, but look in front of you. This will help you keep your cool on the escalator and get where you need to go. - It will also reduce the chances of dizziness that you may experience while riding the escalator.
2 Hold onto a railing or someone's hand. Hold on to the side rails to avoid falling over or feeling dizzy. - You can also ride the escalator with someone who will take your hand. This will help with a sense of balance and depth perception when you are on the escalator.
- Some people with escalator anxiety report that comfortable, sturdy shoes give them a sense of security and peace of mind when riding an escalator.
3 Step onto the escalator when it is empty. Some people with escalator phobias do not like the feeling of being isolated and constricted when they are surrounded by other people on the escalator during rush hour. Instead of riding a crowded escalator, wait until it is empty. This will help you avoid feeling withdrawn.
Method 2 of 3: Therapy
1 Hypnosis. Hypnotherapists believe that your subconscious mind sometimes reacts inappropriately to certain situations, such as riding an escalator. The hypnotherapist will try to change the reaction of your subconscious mind so that you can react differently in certain situations and get rid of your fears and phobias. - Hypnosis for escalaphobia can be done in one session, during which you are exposed to your phobia. Deeply relaxed, the therapist guides you through an imaginary escalator situation. Usually, I will schedule another session after this so that the therapist can understand if your fear is in remission.
- Ask your PCP to refer you to a Certified Hypnotherapist, then check their reliability online before making an appointment. You can also ask your friends or family members if they know a good hypnotherapist who has helped them with their fears or phobias.
2 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This psychotherapy aims to change wrong or negative thinking so that you can clearly see fears or phobias and respond to them effectively. To do this, you will need a limited number of sessions, during which the therapist will help you get rid of your escalaphobia and identify a number of measures to help you overcome your fear. - To do this, you must get a referral to a psychotherapist from your PCP, friend, or relative who has had a beneficial CBT session. If you have health insurance, find out if psychotherapy is covered. Before agreeing to a session with a therapist, inquire about the cost and method of payment for the session.
- Before making an appointment with a psychotherapist, you must make sure of his qualifications. Check his / her education, certifications and licenses. Most experienced psychotherapists have a doctorate or master's degree and experience in psychological counseling.
3 Find out more about exposure therapy. During this therapy, a person is placed in a controlled environment where they are exposed to a phobia. Your therapist will prevent you from escaping your fear by using interoceptive stimuli, such as internal physical sensations. Most exposure therapies are designed to help you cope with the fear and dread that you associate with certain sensations or objects. - Your therapist can expose you to escalator fear in steps. For example, when you get used to standing over an escalator, your therapist may ask you to put one foot on it, after which you will gradually get used to standing on the escalator with both feet. By being next to the escalator and then on the escalator (along with the therapist), you will be able to realize that all the dire consequences that you imagined will not happen.
4 Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (DPDG). This therapy was originally used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but has been adapted to treat some phobias. During DPD, you will be briefly exposed to objects or situations that you fear, and the therapist will ask you to focus on eye movement, patting, or rhythmic tones. The goal of therapy is to cope with the phobia through rapid eye movement and the processing of images of scary situations or objects. - Some experts believe that DPDG is more suitable for treating fears that have arisen from traumatic experiences or more irrational and unrealizable fears. Most patients with phobias will first experience hypnosis or exposure therapy before moving on to DPDH.
Method 3 of 3: Seeing a Doctor
1 Check your eyes and ears. Sometimes people who find it difficult to stand on escalators or feel dizzy walking down the escalator may have ear or eye problems. Check your eyes for any vision problems that can lead to unsteadiness, and ask your doctor to check your ears for problems that may cause dizziness. 
2 Find out the official diagnosis. Your doctor can diagnose your phobia based on your symptoms and medical, psychiatric, and general records. During the clinical interview, be prepared to answer some questions about your fear of escalators and the degree of your fear. - Medically speaking, a phobia is a fear of an object or experience that has been present for six months or more. Exposure to an object or experience can lead to anxiety attacks as well as severe stress and anxiety. You acknowledge that your fear is irrational and illogical, and you will be bothered by the fact that you cannot overcome it. Finally, your fear can be so intense that you will change your daily, social and work life so that you can avoid any contact with your phobia.
- Once your doctor has officially diagnosed you with escalaphobia, you can use that to help your insurance cover the costs of treatment and psychotherapists.
3 Get a recommendation for a psychotherapist. Your doctor will be able to refer you to a board-certified psychologist, cognitive behavioral specialist, or even a hypnotherapist. Before agreeing to treatment, discuss the pros and cons of each treatment.
