I have a phobia about going on theme park rides......?

Question

i want to have a good time with friends, but ever since i had an accident on a merry-go-round when i was about 6, I feel sick, everytime someone says to join them on one. I know its stupid...but help!

Answer 1

simple, don't go on them.

sorry don't mean to sound nasty but its not like your required to use them at any point in your life, they can be avoided easily enough.

Answer 2

Don't let your fear overwhelm you.

Try working your way up in rides.

Personally, I would try getting over your fear of merrygo rounds first. Once in awhile I see four person kiddie merry-go-round kiddie rides infront of a grocery store.

I'm going to sound crazy for suggesting this, but watch those little kids ridding them having fun and thin about how you'd like to be able to enjoy yourself like that. Start to realize that one bad experience happens to all of us, and the chances of it repeating again are very, very slim.

Next, watch how slowly the kddie-go-round is. Think, that's how slow they all are. This thought is important. Keep it as a mental mantra.

Move up to the theme park merry-go-rounds when you become used to the movement of a ride. Sometimes the most scary thing about rides is the thought that you can't control them. But you can; that's what the person that accepts the ticket does. If you ever start to want to get off a ride, yell to the person. Caution though, not everyone likes having the ride stop so use this as a last option.

If the operator won't stop the ride, close your eyes and take three long breaths and then hold your breath, while counting, to ten.

Answer 3

My boyfriend had this problem, had done for fifteen years or so, until I said I loved rollercoasters and wanted to go to a theme park. Basically, I held his hand, made him chat about other things, and then took him on the fastest ride first. He had to breathe deeply several times and shook like a leaf, but later said how much he enjoyed it and how much he realised it was an irrational fear that he just needed to get over. Go with someone who relaxes you, squeeze their hand and tell them to help you through it no matter how much you say you don't want to!(Yes, a little bit of bullying works.) The best idea is to go on the worst/fastest first, after that the rest will be a doddle, and make sure you don't go on twister ones (ie, mostly circular, going up in the air is better than going round in circles). Be patient, be strong. Good luck!

Answer 4

Try this, In a place you feel the safest(bed/ fav chair etc) close your eyes and imagine a white line slowly scanning your body, wherever the line is, relax the muscles nearest, keep doing this until very relaxed. Then imagine you're on a merry-go-round, see everything, the scenery the other riders also the sounds, if you become queasy go back to the relaxation exercise. eventually you will be able to imagine riding all manner of rides whilst still feeling relaxed. You should then be able to do it in real life, start with the slowest ride and work up.

Answer 5

I know exactally how you feel I used to be so afraid of Theme park rides too. I used to stress myself out so much I felt like I was going to get sick. But I ride everything work you way up. Go on small rides easy riders (espically try the Merry-go-round again). You'll work you way up.

Also remember there is no pressure to ride them if you friends ask you to go just say you don't like them that much. Or lie and say you sick or something.

Answer 6

I went to thorpe park a few weeks ago and I was scared stiff about my friends pushing me on to one of the biggest rollercoasters they could find. Thankfully stealth was shut but the other rollercoasters were big enough. But when the adrenaline started pumping while riding them I completely forgot about my worries and had a great time!!! So just try one, even if its a small one to start with and gradually go for the bigger ones, you will think the fear was a little silly after five minutes.

Answer 7

Avoid theme parks. Explain to your friends about your phobia. They will understand. If your on a night out and tipsy, might be easier to explain then. You could go to your local airport and sign up for "frightened fliers" program. They will take you into a Sim and gradually you will overcome this. No your not stupid your just scared .Don,t know how severe your accident was, but you can overcome this.

Answer 8

Try and beat your phobia. Theme park rides are much safer than your average merry go round.

Answer 9

If you really want to get over your fear, start on small rides and slowly build up. Explain to your friends about your fear and don't feel pressured into going onto a ride if you don't want to. Otherwise, just don't go to theme parks! There are loads more ways to have fun with your friends without you being scared stiff every time you go on a day trip with them!

Answer 10

I went on a huge swinging boat in Port Aventura, Salou and was completely ill. I hated the feeling in my stomach and I was terrified I was going to vomit. My son loves all the rides and I kinda ruined it for him as he was too bothered about how I was feeling. Now I let him and his friends go on and I stay clear of all the bigger rides.

Don't feel pressurised into joining anyone. It's a phobia and they need to understand this. If they are friends, they will understand.

Answer 11

Having a phobia is not stupid!! I have a phobia against spiders and heights, but I love rollercoasters!
Because I have a fear of heights, I had a fear of getting on a rollercoaster the first time, but I saw my younger brother get on, eventhough he was a little scared, and that inspired me to just get on, and the hell with it! I got on it, eventhough I was afraid, and when I got off, I wanted to go again. I'm still afraid of heights though...