The Fear of Stairs or Slopes
Robyn Hodgson / EyeEm / Getty Images
What Is Bathmophobia?
Bathmophobia is the extreme fear of stairs or slopes.
Even thinking about stairs or slopes may trigger the symptoms of the phobia.
Robyn Hodgson / EyeEm / Getty Images
Bathmophobia can be seen in both children and adults.
It is also fairly common among animals, particularly household pets.
Dogs trained as service animals may be rejected because of their fear of stairs.
While some people might fear all types of stairs, others might only fear large or concrete stairs.
People with specific phobias often useavoidance behaviorto prevent themselves from coming into contact with the source of their fear.
For instance, bathmophobia is similar toclimacophobia, or the fear of climbing stairs.
The difference is subtle but important, and can only be accurately distinguished for diagnosis by a trained clinician.
Bathmophobia may also be related to other disorders.Acrophobia, or the fear of heights, is exceptionally common.
Potential medical causes must also be considered.
Any punch in of vertigo can be worsened by minor changes in height.
Phobias may also be learned from someone else’s behavior.
For instance, a child who is raised by a parent with bathmophobia may develop the condition, too.
In addition, phobias often co-occur with other types of psychiatric disorders, including anxiety andmood disorders.
Other diagnoses may contribute to the development of a phobia.
Treatment of Bathmophobia
Like other phobias, there are many ways to treat bathmophobia.
Some of the most common ways are therapy or medication.
The therapist should help a patient manage the anxiety that arises in these situations by working onhealthy coping mechanisms.
The goal is that, over time, a patient’s fear will be less disruptive.
Hypnotherapycan also be a useful form of therapy for treating bathmophobia.
A hypnotherapist guides a patient into a meditative or trance-like state and communicates helpful suggestions for overcoming their fear.
The goal is for the subconscious to learn these suggestions and for the fear to lessen over time.
Medication
In some cases, a healthcare provider may suggest medications in addition to therapy.
Antidepressants such asselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs) are often prescribed for people with phobias.
SSRIs work by increasing levels of serotonin in the body, which promotes feelings of well-being and regulates mood.
Examples of SSRIs includeCelexa(citalopram),Lexapro(escitalopram), andProzac(fluoxetine).
Alternatively,serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors(SNRIs) may be recommended.
In some cases, a doctor may prescribebenzodiazepines.
Set a timeryou can start small with just one minute and work your way up over time.
Notice your thoughts, but try not to fixate on any particular one.
Breathe deeplyto slow down your heart rate and blood pressure, and help you feel more relaxed.
It’s also important to double-check your basic needs are being met when dealing with a mental health conidtion.
Ensure you aregetting enough sleep,eating a nutritious diet, andexercising.
These seemingly basic practices can help you reduce stress levels andavoid burn outas you cope with your phobia.
But remember there are ways to cope.
National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobias.
2019;14(7):e0215416.
doi:10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0215416
National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.
2017;12(7):e0180298.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0180298
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.Specific phobias.
2016;45(4):190-4.
2015;17(3):337-46.
American Psychiatric Association.What are anxiety disorders?.
