We call phobia those intense and irrational fears that alter our emotional stability. However, they can be overcome and treated, either alone or with psychological help. Today we want to talk to you about a specific phobia: phobia of elevators.
Next, in this PsychologyFor article, we will give you some keys about how to overcome fear of elevators. We are going to help you understand what causes it and what is the best way to deal with it.
Being afraid of elevators is directly related to claustrophobia, the name given to fear of closed spaces, very small or with limited dimensions, such as an elevator cabin. Even so, it is not the only phobia that can cause fear of elevators. Acrophobia, or irrational fear of heights can also cause fear of elevators, both because of their structure and their functionality.
Why am I afraid of elevators?
Identify the symptoms and causes that cause phobia to elevators is essential to overcome this fear. To do this, you must analyze the moment in which fear occurs irrational and, in this way, define the type of phobia that is causing it.
In the event that the phobia of elevators manifests itself as soon as you enter the cabin, this will indicate that claustrophobia is the main cause. On the other hand, if anxiety increases as the elevator gains height, the origin of the fear will be acrophobia. One of the main reasons for elevator phobia derives from the fear of being trapped, so it is key to know what to do if you get stuck in an elevator and thus prevent fear from paralyzing you.
Generally, these phobias usually manifest themselves through the following symptoms:
Acceleration of breathing.
Increased heart rate.
Muscle tension.
Vertigo.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
In addition to the physical symptoms, people who suffer from this type of phobia experience a feeling of unreality, obsession or viewing catastrophic images caused by the fear of losing control of the situation completely.
How to lose your fear of elevators
If you wonder how to overcome fear of elevators, you should know that it is possible thanks to the implementation of various resources that will allow you to manage the anxiety caused by this unpleasant sensation. Below, we give you the best tips to overcome elevator phobia with reliable data:
Control breathing to mitigate the effects of anxiety and recover heart rate. In addition, this way you will also avoid the feeling of suffocation.
Know the characteristics of elevators and understand the mechanics that indicate how it is supported and the weight it supports.
understand that the elevators have safety measures such as monthly checks, contact telephone numbers, alarms, systems that guarantee that you are not caught in a door or that you cannot fall through the gap.
Note that elevators are not watertight rooms but it has various openings that allow air circulation, so the feeling of being enclosed in a small box is in your head.
There are protocols in case of entrapment that must be carried out by the maintenance teams and that become effective once the cabin button is pressed. The rescue must be carried out in a calm and controlled manner by experts to guarantee maximum safety. In this sense, you should avoid compulsive escape behaviors that can increase stress and anxiety levels.
Ask for help or always ride with a person in the elevator that calms you and gives you a feeling of security.
This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to How to overcome the fear of elevators we recommend that you enter our Clinical Psychology category.
