Overcoming an Escalator Phobia I Nik & Eva Speakman

[@shale7005]

Dear Nik and Eva. I am so pleased you were able to help Lucy. I used to have this phobia myself from the ages of 7 - 13. There were lots of triggers, and the one that I remember is watching an episode of The Equalizer, where there was a fight scene as the top of the escalator and the characters fell down it and onto the subway platform. Then my Grandmother almost had an accident on an escalator on the Paris Metro, when her leg gave way, but fortunately was helped back up quickly by two members of the public. We later found out this was due to a tumour on her spine affecting her mobility. Nothing to do with the escalator. Then of course came the terrible tragedy of the King's Cross fire in '87. I remember being terrified of going to train stations, airports, and shopping centres, as they normally have them. I would always ask my family if there were going to be any esclators if we went out of town, and of course the answer was always 'don't know'. I finally overcame it age 13. I went on a school trip to France and when we got to customs, we had to use them. These ones were much shorter in length, and I just remember telling myself 'don't make a fuss Stephen, you are with people you trust' I felt a sense of safety as I had all class mates in front and behind me on the escalator, and it didn't seem to bother them when they were on them. I must have used this as a reference point that it was safe, as I no longer felt frightened after this moment, and have been ok with them ever since.

[@travisplayz7108]

i used to not be afraid of riding escalators, now for some reason i am afraid of escalators

[@ContortyEva]

Me too.. I hadn’t been on an escalator for years and when I try… I get anxiety now?

[@lovingmayberry307]

Speakmans! 💜

[@nygrlathrt4015]

I can drive over a bridge and look over a high site but can not step on an escalator unless someone has a hand on my back all the way ....forget about going down one...and this didn't happen till I was fifty years old...

[@ContortyEva]

Literally relate. I can do the same. I can go on a rollercoaster at 100 mph upside down and at at a deep height but somehow I get anxiety when I try to go on a escalator because I feel like when I go on the escalator, I’m not gonna step fast enough and I’m fall down because I have bad balance

[@craigtodd8297]

I had escalator phobia. When i was about 4 I was with mum and dad going up an escalator. When we got to the very top it grabbed my shoelace and I was stuck. I panicked and then dad snapped the shoelace setting me free.

[@craigtodd8297]

To be honest I am still nervous 40 years later..

[@nikandevaspeakman]

So sad to hear you are still struggling Craig. If you change your focus, on the fact your shoelace was untied, an accident nearly happened, but your dad prevented it. That way you can consider that the escalator did nothing wrong. Hope that helps.

[@LuckyHeather1711]

I'm agoraphobic and claustrophobic I'm well acquainted with my door step 😂

[@katherinecollins4685]

Interesting