Understanding the Fear of Escalators (Escalaphobia)

The fear of escalators is a type of specific phobia known as escalaphobia. People with this fear don't just dislike or feel uncomfortable around elevators; they experience symptoms of intense fear and distress that can make it difficult to function.

Estimates suggest around 10,000 escalator-related injuries resulting in emergency room treatment occur each year. Escalators can be dangerous, particularly when used improperly, so it perhaps is not surprising that some people may develop this type of phobia.

What Is Escalaphobia?

Escalaphobia is the fear of escalators and is surprisingly common. According to the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation (EESF), over 35,000 escalators in the United States and Canada move 245 million people per day.

Despite their frequent usage, escalators are scary for some people. The fear of escalators may be mild or severe, and the reasons behind the fear range from misunderstandings about their construction to the perception of moving too quickly.

What Causes a Fear of Escalators

There are a few different factors that can play a role in the development of escalophobia:

Physical Conditions

Any fear based on a legitimate medical concern or imminent threat is, by definition, not a phobia. Many apparent cases of escalaphobia can fall into this category. Some conditions that may make some people reluctant to use an escalator include:

• Medical vertigo
• Balance difficulties
• A lack of depth perception
• Vision troubles
• Sensory issues
  

Phobias Related to Escalaphobia

The fear of escalators is often, though not always, related to another phobia. Some related phobias can include:

• Bathmophobia, or the fear of stairs and slopes, often encompasses escalators as well. People with this phobia are afraid of simply being in the presence of a slope or a set of stairs, even if they are not expected to climb or descend. The constantly moving metal steps of an escalator could be even more terrifying.
• Climacophobia, or the fear of climbing, may also be to blame. Those with climacophobia are perfectly comfortable being around stairs and slopes but become fearful when expected to actually use them.
• Acrophobia, the fear of heights, is another potential related cause.
• Illyngophobia, the fear of vertigo, is another possible culprit.

Having a family history of anxiety or other phobias may increase your risk of developing a specific phobia, such as escalaphobia.

Negative Experiences with Escalators

Previous negative experiences with the feared object or situation trigger many phobias. If you ever caught a shoelace in an escalator, slipped while getting on or off, or lost your balance when the steps and the handrails were mistimed, you might be at increased risk for developing an escalator phobia.

Escalator Myths Can Contribute to Fears

Big, heavy machines are a mystery to many people. Escalators are generally located right out in the open, where it seems that all the moving parts are visible. Yet the escalator's movement does not seem to make sense at first glance.

According to the EESF, some people believe that escalators move too fast (they only move at two times the normal walking speed), can reach out and grab people, or even that the steps could somehow flatten out and cause the riders to slide down. The Foundation assures readers that none of these myths are true, yet for many, the legends persist.

Adding to the confusion is the fact that it is entirely possible to be injured on an escalator. The fact-checking website Snopes has verified dozens of incidents in which children's shoes got stuck in moving parts of an escalator, leading to serious injuries.

Treatment for Escalaphobia

If your escalator phobia is severe, consider seeking professional assistance. Although elevators and stairs are reasonable alternatives, there is no guarantee that these items will be available everywhere you go. Rather than limiting your movements, consider beating the fear altogether.

Like most phobias, escalaphobia generally responds well to a variety of brief therapy treatments. Some of these include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): One of the most popular is cognitive-behavioral therapy, in which you will learn to replace your fearful thoughts about escalators with healthier messages.
• Exposure therapy: This involves being exposed to the source of your fear until feelings of fear and anxiety begin to subside. Exposure is often combined with relaxation techniques to help people better manage feelings of anxiety.
• Virtual exposure therapy: Real-life exposure can be helpful, but evidence also suggest that virtual or imaged exposure can also be effective.

How to Cope With a Fear of Escalators

Like any machine, it is possible for an escalator to malfunction. No activity, including riding an escalator, is entirely risk-free. However, the EESF maintains a list of safety rules that, when properly followed, minimize the potential risks. The rules include:

• Always facing forward and using the handrail
• Not touching the sides below the handrail
• Supervising small children
• Wearing securely attached footwear
• Not transporting rolling carts or strollers on escalators

Other self-help strategies can help you manage your fears. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing can help you feel less anxious when encountering fear-provoking situations. Cognitive reframing—which involves challenging negative, fearful thoughts with more positive, realistic ones—can also be helpful.

Takeaway

If you have a fear of elevators, it is important to know that treatments are available that can help. Talk to your doctor or therapist to determine which one might be right for you.

Tackling your fear takes some time and effort, but it can also lead to great rewards. Being able to live your life free of excessive fear and distress can improve your well-being tremendously.