Watch: Woman’s Escalator Struggle Caught On Camera, Sparks Online Criticism

Escalaphobia, a prevalent fear of escalators, was highlighted in a recent viral video depicting a woman grappling with this anxiety. Initially, she hesitantly leaps onto the escalator and then settles on the stairs, clutching the handrail tightly, clearly displaying fear. She was dressed in a salwar kameez, and she appeared visibly anxious, frequently glancing up and down in a state of panic. Eventually, she managed to reach the bottom safely, looking visibly relieved after the ordeal.

The video captures a common yet distressing experience for individuals with escalaphobia, where even routine activities like using an escalator can evoke intense fear and anxiety. The woman’s cautious approach and visible relief upon reaching the ground underscore the challenges faced by those living with this phobia. Such instances also shed light on the importance of understanding and support for individuals dealing with anxiety disorders in everyday situations.

The video, titled “What Just Happened,” was shared on Instagram and garnered significant attention, with many viewers initially believing it was created for entertainment purposes. Despite the woman appearing genuinely scared in the video, it is likely staged. Her social media profile is filled with humorous and engaging content, where she regularly posts videos to entertain her followers. These range from driving and dancing to engage her audience, amassing a total of 1.4 million views.

The escalator struggle video itself has amassed 18.4 million views and 309,000 likes, prompting numerous comments from viewers. A total of 3,547 comments reflect diverse reactions. One viewer, sharing a personal experience, expressed relief that the woman avoided any mishap, recalling a scary incident involving her son’s shoelace getting caught on an escalator. Another commenter speculated that the video was posted solely to gain views.