Do You Have a Fear of Roller Coasters?
Do your children call you a scaredy cat because you will not ride the roller coasters with them? Do you have a genuine fear of roller coasters or are you just a scaredy cat at heart?
Many people do not enjoy going on roller coasters or fairground rides because they do not like the disorientation or the forces exerted on their bodies. For some people, it is just a matter of preference but for others it is because they feel too frightened.
A fear of roller coasters can exist for many reasons. A fear of roller coasters can exist due to the presence of other phobias; the obvious ones being claustrophobia, fear of heights, fear of being sick or even agoraphobia. Unlike a fear of roller coasters, these are fears that can cause a real impact on ones ability to enjoy life to the full – a less than enjoyable day at Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo is just the tip of the iceberg. A fear of roller coasters could equally come from a less obvious source – it is quite common to develop a heightened awareness of danger as a result of having children (probably something that is programmed into us genetically to increase the odds of our children's survival).
A fear of roller coasters is not the end of the world but it can seriously restrict the fun you and your family experience on a day out in a theme park like Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo. To some extent you will lose out on a valuable bonding experience with your children. Avoiding rides also has a serious effect on how your children regard you: in a recent poll carried out by Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo children rated parents "wimping out on rides" as the seventh most embarrassing thing parents can do whilst at Chessington. (Check it out on Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo Parent Contract)
If you have decided that your fear of roller coasters has held you back long enough, telephone Stephen Rigby now on 01483 566115 and book an appointment to discuss how hypnotherapy might assist you. Appointments are available at Guildford and Woking, Surrey. You can also book online.
On Friday 9th October at the Holiday Inn Chessington that adjoins Chessington World of Adventures Stephen Rigby conducted a special hypnotherapy session for the winners of Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo "Scaredy Cat Parents" competition. Over 150 children wrote in and nominated their parent as a "Scaredy Cat". The prize was the opportunity to ride a roller coaster with their parent (after the parent had been taught to address their fear during a hypnotherapy session). All the winning children had their dreams answered with all parents saying that they had enjoyed the experience (even the one that used to "run from the queue for baby rides in tears"). It was wonderful to see the beaming smiles that were displayed on the faces of the once "Scaredy Cat" parents as they were captured on the "in ride" cameras (see below). Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo truly organised a once in a lifetime opportunity that epitomised their aim to provide true family entertainment.
News Links (just four of them):
- Daily Telegraph "Chessington hires hypnotherapist to help parents scared of roller coasters"
- Daily Express "Theme park hires shrink to beat fear of roller coasters"
- Reuters "Scared of the big theme park rides? Try hypnosis"
- Times Online "Scream if you want to go faster"
Return to Fears, Phobias and Panic Attacks