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Original poster

sudden fear of tube escalators

39 replies

movingonishard · 01/01/2015 22:39

That's just it. I've travelled on th einderground on and off for years and years with no issue at all. Suddently when on the "up" escalator a few months ago, i staet4d to feel dizzy, and like i was going to fall and had to keep staring at my feet and was clinging for dear life to the handrail - I honestly wondered if i'd make it to the top. I tried to disregard it and put it down to tiredness, but then a few days ago the same thing happened again. I'm ok on the "down" escalator but the "up" one has now become a big issue. I've got another trip to london in a few weeks and i'm panicking about what to do...

OP posts:
Original poster
movingonishard · 01/01/2015 22:45

I should add that I'm fine with the shorter escalators in shopping centres both going uo and down. I wonder wif there's anything i can do to stop this panic and dizziness on the underground?

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BigPawsBrown · 01/01/2015 22:48

Anxiety made you feel dizzy for whatever reason (anxiety is not always logical). Your body squirrelled away that up escalators are a dangerous situation so anxiety reared its head again last time. You need to keep exposing yourself to the "danger" and keep battling the thoughts until you can do it no problem. Your instinct will be to avoid, ignore this instinct.

BertieBotts · 01/01/2015 22:50

Can you use the buses or stick to ground level stations? There's a list somewhere for wheelchair/buggy users.

Original poster
movingonishard · 01/01/2015 22:55

Thanks, yes it must have been a bit of an anxiety attack. I've no idea where it's come from though. I've had no issues before, no bad experiences in the tube, etc. I know buses are an option but being so unfamiliar with that form of travel the tube is the easy (well was the easy) option and much quicker. I have to travel to Norht Greenwich from waterloo soon and but have not spotted any stairs at waterloo - anyone know if there are any or a lift? Same a NorthGreenwich?

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VivaLeBeaver · 01/01/2015 23:09

Could you get a clipper boat?

Original poster
movingonishard · 01/01/2015 23:13

I'm not sure ! I'd be travelling back late - after 11pm not sure if they'd run that late? Are there any stairs or a lift to and from waterlo main and the underground? Are there escalators at north greenwich? I'm realy telling myself i should just get on the escalator and deal with it but wonder if there really is a chance i will pass out? Or is it just a feeling of anxiety?

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VivaLeBeaver · 01/01/2015 23:15

TFL says North greenwich has a lift

Waterloo has a lift to the jubilee line which looks like the one you'd want.

PinkSquash · 01/01/2015 23:17

This is a PDF of the accessible stations so you could avoid the escalators.

VivaLeBeaver · 01/01/2015 23:17

It sounds like anxiety but people can sometimes be so anxious they make themselves really dizzy which wouldn't be good on an escalator. Take the lifts this time and see if you can build up to going back on the escalators.

Original poster
movingonishard · 01/01/2015 23:17

Oh thank you so much! I'd tried to find the info online but without any luck!

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 01/01/2015 23:18

No problem. Good luck.

Original poster
movingonishard · 01/01/2015 23:19

Just wondering also if there are stair or a lift to other lines as i sometimes have to use others, eg when going to areas around covent garden/leicester square? I really just want to be able to travel without this irrational fear and make myself go on the escalator but also don;t want to fall!!!

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WineCowboy · 01/01/2015 23:19

Agree with bigpaws, sounds like an anxiety attack and you now have a flight or fight response.

Maybe if you are aware that you might feel anxious when you are about to go up one of the big ones, you could listen to music or be on the phone, something to take your mind off it? Deep breathing maybe or making a list?

I had this when I used to get the tube, I used to think that I would throw up on the train. I didn't realise it was anxiety though so it went on for ages.

VivaLeBeaver · 01/01/2015 23:22

Covent Garden has lifts. Also has stairs but it's the deepest station so I woudlnt take the stairs! No idea about Leicester Square but it's only like a five min walk to Covent garden from there.

Phoenixfrights · 01/01/2015 23:24

That actually sounds like classic vertigo to me.Have you had any ear problems lately?

There are lifts all the way down from main line trains at waterloo to tge jubilee line. I think there is also a lift at greenwich but not 100% sure.

VivaLeBeaver · 01/01/2015 23:27

Wouldn't vertigo happen when going down an escalator as well? In fact more so as you can see more?

FlorenceMattell · 01/01/2015 23:30

Leicester square doesn't have lifts/stairs I know a I have the same fear. Worse with down escalators. I fear I'm going to fall and knock into other people. Have tried to overcome it but legs literally go weak. So irrational.
I now use the buses, they run frequently.
Think the advice to keep trying is the best. But personally can't do it.
You can go on travel for London site and when you put in your journey tick no escalators. Then it will tell you best route.

Original poster
movingonishard · 01/01/2015 23:31

No not had any ear problems at all! From what i've research more people seem to have a fear of going down than up. I'm ok going down. It's just started to look so high up from the bottom. In shops, etc I have no issues at all... I just can;t understand where this has come from.
I've alos noticed in the last year or so I have trouble going on some fair rides with my son - i used to quite enjoy them.

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Phoenixfrights · 01/01/2015 23:37

It's probably something to do with the length oc the escalator and the moving billboard/ screen things on each side. There's sensorially a lot going on.

Can only speak from experience as I also get vertigo going up stairs and escalators but especially the latter.

Original poster
movingonishard · 01/01/2015 23:40

Can i ask how you manage it then Phoenix? I'm so reluctant to avoid using them but don;t want to put myself or anyone else in danger!

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Themoleandcrew · 01/01/2015 23:43

No advice on the anxiety but if you have an iphone there is an app called mumderground which lists the access to all tube stations so you can plan routes in the meantime

Phoenixfrights · 01/01/2015 23:51

I usually stare down at my feet :) Avoid head swivelling and looking at the screens out the corner of my eye.

EssexMummy123 · 01/01/2015 23:54

I get like this on some escalators, normally going down rather than up - sometimes i think the handrail can be a bit out of sync with steps which makes things worse.

If you do a search on the metro's website they had an article on this - a couple of people found hypnotherapy useful.

Zebrasinpyjamas · 01/01/2015 23:55

I have something similar. I often find myself walking to avoid tubes with no stairs or lift. I'm ok going up but on the down escalator my heart races and it takes me ages to get on as I get 'stuck' at the top gripping the handrail watching the steps run past pissing off fellow commuters.

I find my irrational fear comes in phases (and is worse when I haven't used the escalators for a while) but a few thoughts that help me:

  1. Sounds weird but I was given the advice of "just step on". Don't think. I start counting rhyme a couple of steps away to five. With every count I step forward and by five I'm on. Don't stop counting or moving. Focus on breaking and counting.
  2. Get on right behind someone else (if I can't see the drop again I'm better). Does mean at quieter times I'm hanging around the top looking a bit strange sometimes Smile.
  3. I find getting on the hardest bit and I grip the moving handrail so hard it pulls me forward quicker than my feet move. This makes the anxiety worse. On braver days I get on without the handrail.

On a more practical note, I use Waterloo and there are lifts there. It's just a long walk around to the platform. Hope some of the above helps.