I used to get on amusement park rides all my teenage life. I used to have fun getting on them. I haven't been to any amusement parks since I developed an anxiety disorder and I finally went about a year ago. As I got to the front of the line to get on the rides I started to feel claustrophobic and I would not get on. I want to overcome this fear and get on with my kids, but I have a fear of getting extremely scared and having a heart attack. What is the worse that can happen if I try?
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Answers
Well, I guess you could try, although a risk of actual stress related disorders could happen.
Could you try like along the same kind of line that people who are afraid to fly, are afraid of snakes, etc., learn how to overcome their fears?
Sorry, but for some stupid reason, I cannot think of the name now...
Let me know.
Best,
Clyde
thrslozano, if this is what you really want to be able to do, you will succeed! But you don't have to do it in one feld swoop. Take it a little at a time.
Do stand in line, and while there, tell yourself that one of these times you will be able to get on the ride, because they are fun. But don't get on the ride, and know you aren't getting on the ride. Do this until you are comfortable justing standing in line right up to the entry.
Once you have that, maybe just stand there at the entry while you watch others ride. You might become friends with the ride guide and tell them you need time to work up to it, if you wish.
Maybe once you can do that and feel ok, you could ask them to let you get on the ride, sit down, and then get off and not ride.... each time...until you are ok with that too.
It's exposure therapy. You can also use virtual reality to do the same type of thing, without having to be at the ride, but using the computer with the visuals, and with sounds and vibrations.
You can search the web for therapists that offer this type of help. Good wishes, and enjoy your ride!
drjean
Exposure! Well, Jean, aren't you glad I didnt know that word?
You can do it, Thrslozano!!!!
I have anxiety also and am afraid of some amusement park rides also. I wish I could send you my oldest son :-) he loves roller coasters and his enthusiasm and sense of calm and joy is contagious.
Do you have another adult friend you could confide your fear to and go with that adult friend and try riding with them, separate from when you go with your kids? I find I can do scary things more often if I am with my husband.
I would also maybe hang around a scary ride by myself for awhile and watch. Think of a ride that is less scary and practice riding that a couple times and concentrate on how it makes me feel, when and why. Dr. Jean's and Clyde's idea of systematic desensitization might work too or just "flooding" where you stay in the situation until the fear drains away. I think that is probably the worst that would happen if you went on the ride anyway; you'd just be totally afraid. I might think of a "phrase" or imagine a scene related to my younger days when I rode on the rides and enjoyed them and try to keep that in my mind as I'm riding now, afraid. I do that a lot when I'm afraid now, remind myself that I've done it before and nothing bad happened before so nothing bad is likely to happen now.
Reminding yourself of and focusing on such thoughts instead of paying attention to your feeling of claustrophobia might be helpful; I use logic and notice all the other people riding the ride and point out to myself how it couldn't be really dangerous or all these people wouldn't be lined up to ride it. Too, I remind myself that if something bad is going to happen, it will happen and I won't be able to do anything about it so I might as well enjoy what I am doing right now. I look at all the lights and colors and sights and think about them instead of how frightened I feel.