Afraid of stairs?

Question

I have a big fear of stairs and I don't know why. I hate walking down them...and I don't really like walking up them, but its a little bit better. I feel really stupid seeing all these people walking up and down stairs without any problem, while I'm almost crying just thinking about it. Is anyone else like this? How can I change this?

Answer 1

im afraid of escalators, i think i got my shoe caught in one when i was five and it had some impact on me that i dont understand, everytime im in the mall or anywhere with escalators i use the stairs, some stores dont even have stairs anymore and if im with someone i just wont go to the next floor with them, i dont know exactly why im afraid of them, but im sure i could just tell myself to and i would and id be fine, but its not on my list of things to do because im fine with taking the stairs and its healthier anyway.
but i understand where your fear could come from, im afraid of old stairs, and some certain stairs, like the ones that look like they could break and you could fall through, also that same way with ladders, but im better with that now too, i used to have to be carried up a ladder if i had to be on one, like to get to my dads houseboat when it was on the land, i would be hysterical, and could never ever climb up or down the ladder, i had to be carried. that fear come from me thinking that it will tip over and fall to the ground with me on it,
one of my friends just recently sliped on her deck stairs when it was raining, and she fell down afew, and on broke, and she got a pretty bad bruise and cuts, those kind of stairs scare me, and i understand you could be afraid of stairs since some people do get injuries on them. and some people have way worse fears, like a fear of outside, inside, a color, flowers, animals, for almost everything on this earth, theres atleast one person who is scared of it. some fears are just alot less common than others.
to answer your question about how you can change it, it depends, if this fear is affecting your life and you cant live with it, then it could be anxiety, and maybe an anxiety medicine would help, you could talk to a doctor, or therepist/psychiatrist about it, and if its not a fear from an actual thing in your brain that you have to reverse with more than just dealing with it yourself, then that what you can try to do, try to deal with it yourself, take it one step at a time, and just think it will be okay, think to yourself, whats the worse that can happen? talk yourself into it, saying that you'll be stronger if you can do it, think of it as a challenge, just calm down when you are trying this, it will take time, but you can do it, everything takes practice, especially overcoming a fear, because no matter how much someone thinks that its a stupid fear, or whatever they think, a fear is a fear, and it takes work to overcome a fear. good luck, you can do it!

Answer 2

I'm also afraid of stairs, somehow. Whenever I'm at school, the whole class has to walk the stairs to reach the classroom. When I'm walking up the stairs, I feel like falling and I'm a bit dizzy. But I'm trying to cope with it since we walk the stairs everyday.

Answer 3

My sister has an irrational fear of open stairs, she won't climb them or she'll close her eyes & I have to help.

I would suggest getting some professional help if you really want to get over your fear.

If you just want options, take the elevator or escalator. Or try to manage it by walking closer to the wall, holding onto the rail & not looking at the stairs when you walk down them. Take your time & remember, no one knows you're scared of walking down the stairs, they're not looking at you or making fun of you...they have their own demons they're battling, I promise. Good luck!

Answer 4

I have a fear of elevators and I just keep trying to face it by going on it, it takes time and I have to really talk to my self about it, and the same with you and the stairs just keep facing it a little bit at a time and take a step at a time. I hope I helped in some way!
Bev

Answer 5

Stairs freak me out. I am not terribly afraid of them, but when I see them, the ones that are open underneath, i always think of the scary movies where someone reaches out and grabs you from underneath. I know it is ridiculous, but it goes through my mind. I have found if i make a joke of it and say it out loud, it seems less ominous and I start laughing at myself before I get up or down them. I say something like- okay boogieman, You better not grab my legs, I haven't shaved them. Or I say- Okay I'm warning you, if you grab my foot I'm gonna pee all over you. It is stupid, I know, but I get over the anxiety. Especially if it is dark. It doesn't bother me as bad in the daytime unless I am going into a basement. They are creepy anytime. I also fear falling down them when I am at the top. Again, too many scary movies. YIKES!!! I need to quit watching them.

Answer 6

its all in your mind. you not scared of the stairs your afraid of falling. of being embarrased. just dont think about it like that think of it like this. i have a destination there is no way of getting there unless i take the stairs. make sure your foot is secure on the stair and be like nike and just do it. and you dont have to see no dogon therapist. that is a waste of money and energy. talk to God and ask him to help you overcome it . better than going to a therapist and have you keep answering " and how does that make you feel" ??? lol

Answer 7

I have a problem going down bleachers.I can go up but very scared going down.I went to a school function with my thirteen year old daughter and she had to hold my hand like I was an old lady.How embarassing for us.but she still loves me.

Answer 8

See a therapist. You may have a fear of falling.

Answer 9

As they say, (who the H are they, and why do they always have the answer.) Just take it one step at a time.