Fear of fainting on stairs? - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

Cap114 · 06-23-2001, 12:50 AM

A few months ago I was at school and passed out when I was going up the stairs... it was very scary b/c I didn't know why I felt so weak and dizzy. Anyways, it was good that a big guy was behind me b/c he caught me by the shoulders and dragged me back down. I don't remember much of what happened, what was said, who all was there, but I do know that this event has unleashed this fear of stairs in me. Whenever I go up them I get all sweaty and out of breath, and my heart pounds like I was a 300 lb. man! My friends, they show off all the time, taking the stairs two, three at a time, or sliding down the handrail.

Also, I'm not afraid of walking down stairs, but whenever I have to go up 'em I just think of what could happen to me if I pass out and fall back and kill myself... it's very inconvienent to me, b/c I have 3 more years in the same school, walking up the same steps.

When I'm at malls or hospitals or hotels etc., I prefer to take the elevator up, b/c, funny as it seems, I feel SAFER that way. Is anybody else afraid of stairs and walking up them too?

Cat82 · 06-26-2001, 09:31 AM

It's not THAT odd. Some people have to climb narrow steps as well as slanted steps. Goin' up stairs for me is a breeze(not to put ya down) but goin' downstairs is sometimes hard. I get scared sometimes that I'll trip over my own feet or something and start getting a one-way pass to a world of hurt. Try to lean a little forward, but if you feel like you're gonna pass out, stay where you are and sit down slowly until you feel better. You ain't alone.

lung7793 · 08-22-2001, 10:40 PM

phobias are nothing you should feel ashamed of for having. There is a phobia for EVERYTHING in this world it seems. I dont' think it is anyone's place to assign which phobias are strange and ridiculous.

Anyway, my point is that you should NOT feel ashamed or different because you have a fear of stairs because many many people have the same fear to ants, wasps, and malls. There is treatment if you see a specialist. I dont' know exactly how it works, but i'm sure it will work. Good luck to you, and don't be ashamed, just take the elevator!

Eleven · 11-01-2001, 01:36 AM

Heya.. I have something like that. I always think I'm going to faint too. But it only really happens to me after sitting for like hours at a hockey game, and have to walk up the stairs, I get up fairly slow.. not rush up, and just take a deep breath...

So you're not the only one out there.

Just Keep Positive and try not to think about it.. distract yourself and don't worry..

~E