Elevator phobia: symptoms, causes and how to deal with it

Some people feel a real terror at the idea of entering elevators or freight elevators.

The fear of being trapped in a small space can appear at any time in our lives. However, when this fear is exaggerated and prevents us from going about our daily lives normally, we may be dealing with a phobia. This is what happens with elevator phobia..

Throughout this article we will describe what this type of specific phobia consists of, as well as which are its symptoms and causes and what the person who suffers it can do to handle the discomfort that it causes.

What is elevator phobia?

The phobia to the elevators is manifested as an exacerbated, irrational and uncontrollable fear to this type of machinery. However, although its symptoms are the same as those of any other specific anxiety disorder, fear of elevators is not considered a phobia per se, but is categorized within two other very common phobias: claustrophobia and acrophobia.

Claustrophobia consists of an irrational fear of enclosed spaces or enclosures or enclosures of limited dimensions, while acrophobia is an irrational fear of closed spaces or enclosures of limited dimensions.while acrophobia is the excessive fear of heights.

Once these two concepts are understood, it is much easier to understand what the fear of elevators consists of. In those cases in which the person begins to experience symptoms of anxiety at the moment in which he/she goes up to an elevator, or even when knowing that he/she is going to go up, it is a fear typical of claustrophobia; due to the reduced space in which the person finds him/herself.

However, when this irrational fear appears at the thought of reaching a certain height, the basis of the fear of elevators is acrophobia.. This fear tends to increase in those elevators that have glass walls, since the person experiences a greater sensation of being suspended in the air.

What symptoms are experienced?

Whatever the basis or origin of elevator phobia, people who suffer from it tend to experience an excessive, irrational and uncontrollable fear of elevators, elevators or freight elevators.They perceive an intense anxiety response every time they are exposed to the possibility of having to ride one of them.

The main consequence of this phobia is that the person tends to carry out all kinds of behaviors, acts and behaviors aimed at avoiding the feared situation or escape from it as soon as possible.

Because these devices are found in practically every place, elevator phobia can become very annoying and, at times, highly incapacitating, interfering significantly with the person's daily life. However, as we will see, there are a series of guidelines that can be followed to better tolerate these anxiety-filled situations. or, in case it is a big problem, very effective psychological treatments.

Since it is an irrational fear of a specific object or situation, the phobia to elevators shares symptomatology with the rest of specific phobias.The most characteristic symptoms are the manifestation of high levels of anxiety in people suffering from this phobia.

Although the number of symptoms and their intensity may vary from person to person, for this fear to be classified as phobic, the person must present some of the symptoms of the three categories associated with phobias: physical symptoms, cognitive symptoms and behavioral symptoms.

1. Physical symptoms

Because it is an anxious symptomatology, before the appearance of the phobic stimulus, the person usually experiences a series of alterations and changes in his/her organism. The origin of these changes comes from a hyperactivity of the autonomic nervous system.and can generate the following effects:

• Increased Heart rate.
• Acceleration of breathing..
• Sensation of asphyxia and lack of air.
• Muscle tension.
• Increased sweating levels..
• Headaches.
• Gastric problems.
• dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Fainting and loss of consciousness.

2. Cognitive symptoms

These physical symptoms are accompanied by a series of intrusive and irrational ideas about the supposed danger of elevators. These distorted beliefs exert a double role, since they originate the physical symptoms and in addition you potentiate them when they appear since the person cannot get these ideas out of his or her head..

These cognitive symptoms include:

• Intrusive and uncontrollable beliefs and ideas about the phobic stimulus.
• Obsessive speculations.
• Catastrophic images about possible scenarios or situations.
• Fear of losing control..
• Feeling of unreality.

3. Behavioral symptoms

The third group of symptoms includes all the behaviors or behavioral patterns that appear in response to the phobic stimulus. These behaviors are aimed at avoiding the feared situation. (avoidance behaviors) or to escape once the person has already encountered the phobic stimulus (escape behaviors).

In avoidance behaviors, the person performs all possible behaviors or acts that allow him/her to avoid the possibility of having to face the stimulus. In this case it could be taking the stairs instead of the elevator, regardless of the number of floors.

As for escape behaviors, these appear when the person is already inside the apparatus, inside which he/she will do everything necessary to get out as soon as possible. For example, compulsively pressing the door-opening button..

What is the cause?

Trying to determine the specific origin of phobias can be an extremely complicated task, since in many cases the complicated task, since in many occasions there is no single trigger for the disorder. Rather, the person feels a fear of elevators but is not aware of why.

However, there are theories that point to the idea that a genetic predisposition of the person, coupled with the presence of an event or traumatic situation related in some way with elevators will trigger, quite possibly, the appearance of such phobia.

How to face this fear?

There are a series of keys or guidelines that can help people who suffer a great fear of elevators to avoid the increase of feelings of anxiety. Some of these guidelines are the following:

• Breathe slowlyBreathing slowly, taking deep breaths and exhaling slowly in order to decrease the increase in heart rate and avoid the sensation of dizziness and suffocation.
• Try not to engage in compulsive escape behaviors such as forcing the door, as this will further increase anxiety levels.
• Go with others or ask for help if necessary or if we feel very bad. The company of another person gives us more security.
• Try to keep your mind occupied during the trip.

Are there psychological treatments?

In cases where none of the above guidelines work and the fear is highly disabling or distressing, psychological treatment for this phobia can be initiated. In this intervention, psychotherapy is used to modify or eliminate the erroneous thoughts and beliefs that end up causing the rest of the symptomatology.

In addition, this psychotherapy is accompanied by techniques for the treatment of phobias such as live exposure or systematic desensitization and relaxation training.