Does Elevator Maintenance Make People Less Phobic?

Elevator maintenance and inspections are performed on a regular basis in order to be well functioning and to assure passengers that they are safe. Some individuals are afraid of elevators and will avoid them at all costs. Many people trudge up and down multiple flights of stairs lugging suitcases or other heavy items rather than step into the platform which is hoisted up and down on cables. Some of the models that are especially fear provoking are those with see-through walls that go sky-high up the sides of tall buildings or glass elevators in multistory hotels or fancy offices. Here are some things to think about regarding maintenance and phobic passengers:

- Inspections: During an inspection, a trained tech will put the piece of equipment through its paces. The tech will inspect electrical wiring, control panels, circuit boxes, cables, levers, the speed of the box and how efficient the braking system is. Tools used include pressure gauges, ammeters and more. The emergency phone which is hanging in the space will also be checked out to make sure it’s workable.

- Phobias: Phobias are fears that are often ungrounded. Many people have phobias of some sort or another. Some typical ones are fear of spiders, snakes, clowns, heights, close spaces, being out in public, going to the dentist, speaking to a crowd and fear of dogs. Some of these phobias have developed because of traumatic experiences while others have emerged for no apparent reason. Sometimes specific phobic responses are prevalent in families. This could be due to genetics, as a learned response or a combination of the two.

- Elevator fears: The two most common fears that individuals have when stepping into these spaces are claustrophobia and fear of heights:

- Claustrophobia: This is the formal name for being afraid of small spaces with no way to get out. A person who suffers from claustrophobia struggles with getting into the tight space in the first place but the number one worst-case scenario is getting stuck in one. We’ve all heard horror stories of individuals who were stuck for hours in elevators.

- Fear of heights: This one is most prevalent in the models made of glass that go up the sides or centers of buildings. This fear can still occur when the walls are made from metal, however, because the person knows he or she is going up and can feel the motion.

- How to get over it: Becoming desensitized to the closed-in room that goes up high can be achieved. Some ways to become desensitized is by exposure to the situation. Going to a building with a well maintained system and going up one floor is a great way to practice. Seeing a therapist may help, too. Practicing meditation on a regular basis will help in altering obsessive phobic thoughts. Keeping one’s eyes closed while riding up and down can be another helpful tactic.

There are mixed opinions on whether elevator maintenance will make a person less fearful about the devices. It certainly helps, though, when battling a phobia, to know that the lift you’re climbing into has been well serviced by a competent tech.