What specific fear does the writer associate with stairs and escalators?

Question

Accepted Answer

The writer associates a deep-seated fear of falling with stairs and escalators.

This phobia is intensified by the physical sensation of her feet, particularly the back of her ankles or feet, touching the back of a stair or the grooves of an escalator. This revulsion is a long-standing issue, dating back decades, and is compounded by her foot size, which means most stairs offer little margin for error.
A Decades-Old Fear of Falling

The writer describes a lifelong apprehension regarding descending stairs. This fear is not constant but tends to manifest more acutely during specific times of day, such as early mornings or late evenings, when her legs may feel stiff or swollen. While elevators are her preferred mode of transport, situations requiring the use of stairs can trigger this deeply ingrained fear.
Physical Sensations Triggering Revulsion

A key element of this fear is the tactile experience of stairs. The writer explains that instead of providing a sense of security, the feeling of her ankle or foot brushing against the back of a stair elicits a recoiling sensation. This revulsion is particularly pronounced with the grooves found on escalators, which she finds to be the worst manifestation of this phobia.
Foot Size Exacerbating the Fear

The writer's foot size, a women's US size 8, further contributes to her anxiety. She notes that most staircases are barely large enough to accommodate her feet, leaving little room to spare. This physical constraint means she is more likely to experience the unsettling contact with the back of the stairs, thereby intensifying her fear of losing her footing and falling.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

What specific fear does the writer associate with stairs and escalators?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends