Fátima Zahra, from the Official College of Psychology of Eastern Andalusia, considers it understandable that the number of people afraid to board trains is growing following the accidents in Adamuz and Urda, which occurred in quick succession.
Fátima Zahra, coordinator of the Psychological Intervention Group in Emergencies and Disasters (GIPED) at the Official College of Psychology of Eastern Andalusia, finds it understandable that the number of people afraid to board trains is increasing. She explains this in an interview with Diario Sur, where she analyses the psychological consequences of the railway accidents in Adamuz and Urda, which were separated by a short period of time.
According to the psychologist, the perception of risk drops sharply when two fatal accidents occur within a few months, even among people who have never travelled by train. Zahra explains that the impact depends on the proximity to the event and that the time between both incidents weighs heavily, as there has been no time to recover from the first.
Regarding the difference between fear and phobia, the expert points out that fear serves to protect us from real dangers, and it becomes a phobia when it is excessive and starts to interfere with daily life. She adds that a phobia can be triggered by a comment, a smell, or a sensation associated with the event, even if one has not experienced it directly.
Zahra also refers to the statements made by the President of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno, and the President of the Association of Travel Agencies, Sergio García, who publicly stated that they would not travel by train at this time. According to the psychologist, those in public office should convey calm, avoid generalising danger, and refer to what experts say, even if they also feel fear like any citizen.
When facing an upcoming journey with doubts or fear, Zahra distinguishes between two cases. If the fear is manageable, she recommends breathing exercises, emotional regulation tools, and consciously remembering that the environment is safe, encouraging travel. If a person anticipates suffering a panic attack upon entering the carriage, she advises the following:
“If a person anticipates that they will suffer a panic attack upon entering the carriage, I advise them not to force themselves at this moment.”
In that case, the psychologist suggests waiting for a while, training in emotional management, and acquiring tools before getting back on a train.
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