What is bathmophobia and what causes Donald Trump’s fear of stairs? Symptoms, cures and celebrity sufferers
The rare condition can cause sufferers to panic at the mere sight of a flight of stairs
ASTONISHING pictures showing Donald Trump holding hands with Theresa May at the White House made headlines around the world at the beginning of 2017.
The Sun revealed that Trump’s fear of stairs and slopes may have been behind what was supposed to be an act of chivalry. Here's what you need to know about bathmophobia.
What is a phobia?
A phobia is described by the as an overwhelming and debilitating fear of an object, place, situation, feeling or animal.
They are more pronounced than fears and tend to develop when a person has an exaggerated or unrealistic sense of danger regarding a situation or object.
If a phobia sufferer doesn't come into contact with the source of their problem very often it may not affect their life - but in some cases even thinking about it can give a person "anticipatory anxiety".
If a phobia becomes very severe, the person suffering may organise their life around avoiding the aspect that’s causing distress.
What is bathmophobia?
Bathmophobia is a fear of slopes or stairs and can be found in adults and children.
It is distinct from climacophobia as bathmophobia sufferers can panic at the mere sight of a steep staircase.
Climacophobia sufferers typically experience fear only when climbing or going down stairs.
The crippling condition is common in animals especially household pets.
A common cause of the fear is a negative experience of stairs or steep slopes in childhood.
Both bathmophobia and climacophobia are commonly related to other disorders.
For example, symptoms relating to acrophobia (fear of heights) or illygnophobia (a fear of vertigo) can be mistaken for bathmophobia.
Sufferers are often treated using cognitive-behavioural therapy which helps replace fears with rational alternatives.
Is Donald Trump afraid of stairs?
Following the President’s first meeting with the UK Prime Minister, a bizarre theory emerged that the 70-year-old was trying to steady himself when he held May’s hand.
Government insiders in Washington DC claimed the brash billionaire is “uncomfortable” when using stairs or going down slopes.
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The hand hold moment happened when the world leaders walked down a ramp near the West Wing of the White House.
Sources say Trump grabbed May’s hand to steady himself and then rubbed it in thanks.
The President’s phobia reportedly means he refuses to visit one close aide’s office in the White House because it’s up a flight of stairs from the Oval Office.
Both Trump and May’s administration refused to comment on the claims.