How can I overcome my fear of rollercoasters?

Question

I've been on some really bad ones before at Six Flags (Vertical Velocity, Roar, etc); the only ones I can really stand are the rides that don't go more than 20 mph, i.e. the kiddie rides. I hate the drops and the fast turns. My friends are merciless, and I will literally be _dragged_ into a ride with a 150ft drop. We're going in August, and I'd rather not be the only one to drop out because I'm a chicken.

Any advice? My chest gets tight just thinking about roller coasters; this is more than what "ride a ride a lot until you start to like it" can help. The chances something'll happen to me is slim to none, I know, but the actual fear of being strapped down by nothing more than a belt, with my legs dangling a hundred feet above the ground, is overwhelming.

I've been on Medusa, Vertical Velocity, and the rest of the ones that make you crap your pants. Is there some sort of medication I can take before getting on the ride, to help deal with the heights and speed?

Answer 1

??? A fear of rollercoaster is a completely NORMAL thing! People get high off the fear -- and overcoming the fear.

I think the only thing you can do is just learn to accept the fear, and welcome it, and keep repeating to yourself that safety standards are very high, and almost everyone who gets on a rollercoaster gets off alive.

As for me, I can't stand the dern things. My family has a history of heart problems, and the last time I rode on one, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. So, I recognize my limits, and don't expose myself to fear needlessly. And if any of my friends were so foolish as to ridicule me for that, I'd rip into them so hard they'd . . . probably not be my friend anymore. But I want my friends to like me for myself, not for my so-called daringness.

If you are young and healthy, then go ahead and succumb to peer pressure. (-: Rollercoasters can be fun, and bonding.

But if you really, really hate it, stand up for yourself, and don't be afraid of being "chicken."

Answer 2

I used to be afraid of rollercoasters. Never went on them. I didn't trust that the rollercoaster was safe, that the rollercoaster would break, or that I would fall out. It wasn't til I went on a Disney ride that I just trusted everything was okay, and lost the fear. Thereafter, I was able to ride rollercoasters. I don't particularly get a thrill from it, but I can ride it without the gripping apprehension. Trust. And good luck!

Answer 3

I feel that way about public speaking but I get a thrill thinking about roller coasters. I am 31 and have loved roller coasters since I was a little girl. I begged my dad to take me on them becuase my mom cant go on them. She has tried to overcome her fear (with her its heights) but has not been successful. They are supposed to be fun. If you dont find them thrilling then, you should just stick to the kiddie rides. You're probably great at public speaking of some other thing that I would be terrified of :)

Answer 4

Well, to overcome any fear, the answer is to face it. I'm not saying u must go to the largest one u see..but u could train urselves by trying out the small ones and once u r used to that, u can try out the bigger ones. I won't say u can overcome it in a day or somethin, but eveything takes time. Just take ur time and I'm sure one day u will be yelling out (happily!) on one of the largest rollercoasters!

Answer 5

Are you sure you have a fear of these rides? Seems like youve been on the big fun ones already. They shouldnt pressure you to get on rides if your scared. I dont think there is anything to help calm your nerves, cause after all it is only a machine. They are built to keep you safe.

Answer 6

yea dont be afriad of saying no to your friends, im scared of heights too but you know what im scared of more? Loosing me..yea i don't wana die. That is my fear i found out, i cant risk my life.

the thing is,i don't really see the pleasure going on those roller coasters...only once i got on this ride...its called...erm... i dont remember...but its one of the rides in thorpe park. it takes you up realllly high i can see the london eye from milees away...then whoosh it goes down to the ground at high speed...WOW i was like i wana go again! thats when i found out it wasnt height im scared off, its risk.

I can't take risks with my life. I know it happens rarely but it does happen, people fall off roller coasters and die or get injured, i really dont want that. Who can say it won't happen to me u know...i don't wana play with my luck. I'll rather stay safe.

But i do still go on rides sometimes if my friends forces me too..so that sometimes when i feel right, i do go on, but when i dont feel good about it, i never go. because they can't assure me everythings gonna be ok. So whenever u go to theme parks, dont go on rides you dont want to.

And theres nothing wrong with you, so you dont need medication, it doesnt help...well drugs maybe because it makes u forget but i dont want u falling of the ride getting high so erm yea drugs are wrong. Dont feel bad because you dont go on, they would understand. When i went on rides i did go on some of the roller coasters, i felt good that day and safe so i went, but i passed on the Colosis rollercoaster...that was just too much.

Your chest get tight? thats because you are nervous and your breathing goes wrong sometimes when you are nervous. I don't think you need any medication. Don't go on rides that you don't want to ok, trust me you are NOT missing out on anything because of that.

Answer 7

Feel free to pass on any ride you have a bad feeling about!!!

Answer 8

You should tell yourself that it is normal first -_-
Then, go on the small rides..
then try bigger ones -_-"
When you try small ones, you will MAYBE sense that they are very errm. Fun? Then you can think that maybe bigger ones are more fun :DD

Answer 9

If you can't handle that,why do you insist on riding one.. Some may ask..