"Escalator phobia, like most phobias, can have a wide range of root causes," according to Lisa Fritscher, About.com guide to Phobias. "One of the most common causes is a previous negative experience, such as getting a foot caught or falling when trying to step on. The negative experience may have been minor, such as mildly losing balance but not falling, or even have happened to someone else, and may not even be consciously remembered. Kids are also susceptible to their parents' fears, which they may greatly magnify."
Fritscher points out that "physical causes can also be to blame. Vision problems, vertigo, and balance problems are among the most common. In this case, even a severe fear might not properly be called a phobia, since the perceived danger is real."
If the fear actually is a phobia, says Fritscher, the cause may never be identified, but "fortunately, treating the phobia doesn't necessarily require a cause to be found. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most common treatment, and involves a system of techniques designed to change the person's perception of danger. This generally takes only a few sessions and is amazingly effective in many people."
Fritcher recommends these articles on her site for those who want to learn more about phobias and how they may relate to escalators:
