Scared of getting on trains and stepping over the gap

[FairViewRosie25]

Scared of getting on trains. Frightened of stepping over the gap.

Because obviously while the train stays the same size the platform varies increasing the size of the gap in some stations. Not every station is the same.

I don't think big gaps that an adult could fall through are that common though (and maybe tales of falling through gaps are not exactly going to calm the OP.....)

I’ve seen at least 3 this weekend commuting in and out of London. Multiple underground, overground and train platforms.

OP is able bodied so she won’t fall in them if she just takes precautions like holding the handle and making sure her foot is fully planted.

I’m not scared of that but I am convinced I’m going to lose my footing or a shoe come off one day. 😂 If you are travelling with your husband can he not get off first and hold your hand to help steady you?

thank God you’ve cleared that up for OP, she’ll be fine now.

you honestly think she doesn’t know it’s irrational? These things come from nowhere often and happen even to smirkers like you. They can be completely debilitating and cause huge shame.

I hear you OP! The gaps are getting bigger all the time,I travel a lot on trains. My mobility isn't the best and I get really stressed about it. Clapham is awful. There's a YouTube channel about people falling through the gap!

Yes, so much for accessibility! I missed a train once as I simply couldn't get onto the train,it's only happened once but the gap was ridiculously high, loads of people couldn't get on.

Lauren, no offence but the reason I told my tale of falling through the gap was for the exact reason of calming the op. I mentioned my compensation of a food voucher too in the hope that if the worst did happen to the op, that there is light at the end of the tunnel

I'm also so terrified of going down escalators. Once I was in a shop and their fire alarm went off and I couldn't go down in the lift. I froze and couldn't go on down escalator so in the end I was allowed to go down staff stairs with the manager. If you freeze you just can't move.

It’s a form of vertigo I used to have this

Ha ha if only! Some country stations that are very old have much larger gaps (talking nearly a foot) and nobody there to help you. Then very steep steps to exit the station - which is unmanned.

If it mostly got bad after the flood experience, it could be that your nervous system never calmed back down and felt safe, so what used to be assessed as a small risk is now amplified because your system is on high alert. A nervous system that's in high stress mode finds it very difficult to sensibly assess risk, and can hyper react to stuff that shouldn't be a big deal.

A few years back I did some nervous system calming work due to a health issue. Didn't realise until much later that I must have been in a high stress state for years, because after my nervous system calmed down both my arachnophobia and my fear of heights calmed down a lot too.

Please don't be embarrssed about asking for passenger assistance. When my body isn't working, I ask for it as it stops me feeling like a nuisance to the people around me. Freezing on your way onto or off the train can be a real problem.

was there any need for that comment?

I don't like the idea of posters telling the OP it's all in her mind and there are bigger gaps on kerbs etc. it's very much a thing and I'm not a nervous person but always get anxious about the gap.

How are they getting bigger all the time ? Why are people being so unhelpful Jesus! Speaking of Jesus .. perhaps you could have a look at the transport options for your performance and come up with a travel plan. Do you actually need to use underground or are there alternatives like buses that will get you to the show you’re seeing. I appreciate that hypnotherapy or other therapy would be really helpful for you but it doesn’t necessarily have to be immediately if the show is imminent.

This is spot on! I started having panic attacks in my early 20s brought on by a mix of stressful events and for a few years I was fearful around a whole range of things - platform gaps, escalators, tube platforms, flying and motorway bridges to name but a few. It was as you describe the result of an over stimulated nervous system that was on high alert constantly. It eventually calmed down, helped by beta blockers in the most stressful situations but it was horrible while it lasted so my sympathy to you OP.
And actually I found the poster who described what actually happens when you slip down the gap really helpful so thanks for that!

In London the Jubilee and Elizabeth lines with doors and almost no gap may be your friend here, also look at bus services as an alternative.

Railwayman's wife here - ask a guard/conductor to bring the ramp they use for wheelchairs, then you can just walk across.

Just to say Jesus Christ Superstar is amazing, hope you get there OK and love it.

OMG I do the clinging to the walls at train platforms. I didn't think anyone else was like this. It's embarrassing. I am scared I'll hurl myself onto the tracks or something. It's a very strange feeling. I hate taking trains because of it. I also get that thing where you're sitting in a theatre, school hall, cinema etc where I get the urge to jump up and shout and run to the front or do something equally embarrassing. I like to think I never would but it's this horrible feeling. I've never been diagnosed with anything but I do believe it's some sort of anxiety disorder. It's horrible.

I was about to say that.

You need to be a vault jump champion to manage some platforms there.

Also, Wandsworth Town.

Some stations are worse than others

Portsmouth is particularly bad

Lizzie line is brilliant.. and the extra doors to stop anyone going on track

Some of the gaps on the Elizabeth line are insane outside the central underground section. I never thought about it until recently when travelling with daughter and grandchild in a push chair. I used to work in central London and would go up and down even the longest the escalator without a thought. Had a panic attack getting on an escalator in a shopping mall about 5 years ago now I can just about manage a short escalator but only going up.