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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to ask about sudden fear of boarding trains and standing near platform edges

38 replies

InterviewGhost · 08/04/2026 21:34

Posting here for traffic. A few times a week I travel 80 miles each way from my house to work. I am no stranger to long train journeys and I’ve never had this issue before:
recently I’ve started getting crippling fear, dizziness and generally feeling faint when I have to get on or off a train. I focus on the gap between the platform and the train and I fixate on the tracks. I tend to get so freaked out about falling on the tracks that I back right away to the wall on the side of the platform (if there is one). I’ve missed countless trains now because of this.
sometimes I ask someone to help me on said train and generally people are obliging and kind but I can’t go on like this and I don’t know where it’s come from.
Anyone else had this? Any tips?

NB I can only get the train to work, I don’t drive.

OP posts:
PlainSkyr · 08/04/2026 22:00

I have struggled with this for years! And I use the Tube all the time. I struggle with the gap as well as the feeling that I’m about to fall from the platform onto the tracks even when I’m just standing waiting for the train.
My solve has been to look straight ahead while holding the handles by the door until one foot makes it to the platform when getting off or the train when getting on. If I can’t hold then I cannot make the transition.
similar issue with escalators and even stairs!!
i do suffer from anxiety around heights and motion sickness and Im convinced they are all related.

Original poster
InterviewGhost · 08/04/2026 22:00

ThatWaryLimePeer · 08/04/2026 21:47

I’ve started to get this, last week for a few brief seconds an image flashed up me falling down the gap, it was absolutely terrifying.

It’s awful, isn’t it??? I also get intrusive thoughts about my phone falling on the tracks or chucking my phone and laptop the same way.

OP posts:
Original poster
InterviewGhost · 08/04/2026 21:59

springandeaster · 08/04/2026 21:53

Could you book Passenger Assist for your journeys until you feel better?

Hadn’t considered this but I’m going to give it a go. A friend said this sensation is known as gravitational insecurity. Who knew!

OP posts:
springandeaster · 08/04/2026 21:53

Could you book Passenger Assist for your journeys until you feel better?

Original poster
InterviewGhost · 08/04/2026 21:50

Faffodils · 08/04/2026 21:45

I used to get like this about going down stairs or escalators and one thing that helped would be to follow someone else and really focus on them (and their successful use of the stairs/escalators). I'd stare at the middle of their back and focus on them not me, almost like an out of body experience. So it was other people helping me without me having to ask them. And more widely, it went away when my baseline anxiety got better which was a combination of lifestyle changes and a less stressful job.

My anxiety has been through the roof: redundancy, new job which is extremely challenging, total change to my routine.
Definitely outing myself there, oh well.

OP posts:
Original poster
InterviewGhost · 08/04/2026 21:49

ThatWaryLimePeer · 08/04/2026 21:48

I think the gap is big enough.

Show quote history

It definitely is. And I’m not a tiny woman either.

OP posts:
ThatWaryLimePeer · 08/04/2026 21:48

MyJustCat · 08/04/2026 21:48

Do you think the gap is big enough for you to fall through? You know that there's always a member of staff who looks up and down the platform checking for problems before the train is released. Saying that I hate getting on the big long escalators on the London underground, I feel dizzy looking down with that initial step on and avoid the deep lines.

I think the gap is big enough.

MyJustCat · 08/04/2026 21:48

Do you think the gap is big enough for you to fall through? You know that there's always a member of staff who looks up and down the platform checking for problems before the train is released. Saying that I hate getting on the big long escalators on the London underground, I feel dizzy looking down with that initial step on and avoid the deep lines.

ThatWaryLimePeer · 08/04/2026 21:47

I’ve started to get this, last week for a few brief seconds an image flashed up me falling down the gap, it was absolutely terrifying.

Faffodils · 08/04/2026 21:45

I used to get like this about going down stairs or escalators and one thing that helped would be to follow someone else and really focus on them (and their successful use of the stairs/escalators). I'd stare at the middle of their back and focus on them not me, almost like an out of body experience. So it was other people helping me without me having to ask them. And more widely, it went away when my baseline anxiety got better which was a combination of lifestyle changes and a less stressful job.

sweetpeaorchestra · 08/04/2026 21:41

Yes I have this. I have to stand behind a confident looking person who is also boarding (!) and leap onto the train not looking down. I started to dread train journeys in advance.
Its awful. But keep pushing through.
I do wish the gap didn’t have to be so big

Original poster
InterviewGhost · 08/04/2026 21:38

bunnyvsmonkey · 08/04/2026 21:37

I would have a song or recite a poem to focus on when the train comes in that lasts until you're off it. Or headphones with a song or audiobook on and really focus on that. Seems like you've got stuck into a cycle with it and just need to break the association.

I normally have my earphones in but actually on reflection, reciting something would work better because I’d have to focus on it much more than whatever dross I’m listening to on Spotify.

OP posts:
bunnyvsmonkey · 08/04/2026 21:37

I would have a song or recite a poem to focus on when the train comes in that lasts until you're off it. Or headphones with a song or audiobook on and really focus on that. Seems like you've got stuck into a cycle with it and just need to break the association.