The day escalators became scary and the day the mystery was solved for good

By Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP

For most of her life, Lucille had loved escalators – those amazing and efficient moving staircases that smoothly glided up and down in department stores, hotels and airports.  She marveled at their construction and how they made life and travel easy and convenient.
 
Then one day, there was nothing marvelous, easy or convenient about escalators.
 
She was surprised – and shocked – that escalators suddenly seemed very scary. In fact, she found herself panic stricken when she stood at the top of the smoothly running steps of an escalator.
 
Just the thought of placing her right foot on the first step as the stair moved downwards felt serious, like certain death.
 
She knew that this frozen and body-tightening experience would be called a “phobia” in the world of mental health but felt embarrassed to discuss this strange experience with anyone.

Read More