Q&A for How to Endure Roller Coasters if You Hate Them

You can still go to an amusement park and enjoy the day with your friends without riding roller coasters. There are likely other rides that you could go on. Be up front with your friends and explain to them that you suffer from panic attacks and that you can't go on certain rides. You can still wait with them in line and then just meet them at the exit. They will likely understand and not pressure you.

You can either start with a really big one so the others don't seem that bad, or start on a small one and go up gradually.

That's normal, especially for any beginner. You can conquer that nervousness by just riding the roller coasters that cause it. Once you do, it will be worth it.

Yes, totally! The fear of rollercoasters is normal for teenagers and everyone else! It's extremely common.

You can try breathing from your nose and exhaling from your mouth. Reassure yourself that this will work and you won't get hurt.

By forcing yourself to ride one. Seriously. That's the only way.

The best way to get over being scared of rides at an amusement park is to ride them.

Stay still, stand straight, and keep your head back. These will help to keep you still and firm on the ride.

By facing it and just riding the coaster. It won't be as bad as your imagination has made it out to be, and if you still don't like it, you can at least say that you've tried it.

If you want to go skydiving, make a list of the pros and cons. Make them opinions. For example: Pros: I really want to do this, and it seems fun. Cons: I'm scared to do it, and I really don't want to. Also, I can reassure you, you won't get hurt. If someone let you jump off a plane and hurt yourself, they would already be fired. Meaning you're safe and don't have to be anxious about it.

Sit in the middle seat of a middle row, hold on to the handles, and tighten the safety handles and straps.

Just don't think about it. The more you do, the stronger the feeling will get. Focus on enjoying the ride or even the breeze on your face, anything to take your mind off it.

Take slow, deep breaths for a minute or two to bring your heart rate down and help you get calmer. If you can't calm yourself down sufficiently, you should probably hold off on riding the roller coaster.

A lot of people love the feeling of adrenaline and the rush of going on a roller coaster. Roller coasters often move the passengers around at fairly high speeds unexpectedly, creating a suspenseful atmosphere. Many roller coasters have themes too, which the people experiencing the rides might enjoy.

You could face your fears on a smaller roller coaster. Maybe you will actually have fun! If you really don't want to try, enjoy other rides together and wait for your friend at the end of the rides you don't want to try.

Take pills beforehand that help with nausea. If you get it too bad though, don't ride.

Keep your eyes open your eyes. You will feel sick and more anxious if you close your eyes.

I had the same fear. I can feel queasy due to the constant movements and it was a big obstacle for me. Usually, the sick feeling on roller coasters is your fear, but if you think it could be dangerous to your health, ask a professional. They know more about it and will be able to help you or at least put your mind at rest. Certain medications also help, but you should ask your doctor what they recommend.

Realize that maybe roller coasters aren't the thing for you right now. Seek out other rides that aren't as frightening, and then try roller coasters again when you're older.

Maybe you should start out with a smaller ride which doesn’t twist or go all the way up, then down. You can start small, then work your way up to bigger rides if you like.

Make an excuse and ride with the younger kids. You can try one out, and if you don't like it, just get some food and drinks and have fun without going on the coasters.

Six Flags Great America has some rides that are fairly calm. The Whizzer and Little Dipper are fairly good starting roller coasters, and there are some rides that aren't roller coasters that are good too (Triple Play, Ricochet, Whirligig, etc.). If you can't handle rides at all, you can focus on spending time with your friends and getting things to eat. Great America has shows and other activities too. There's also a water park, which you may feel more comfortable going to (if you can).

It's actually pretty common for people to experience the sensation of lifting up (or actually lifting up). While it might be more scary for people who do actually lift out of their seat, it's good to know that that's what the restraints are for. Steep drops/loops/etc. don't last for very long, either, so try to keep that in mind. If you still don't feel comfortable with the sensation of lifting up/actually lifting up, try riding on rides that don't have steep drops/loops/etc.

This article is mainly for people who are scared of roller coasters, but think they might be ready to try them out. Number 6 is to remind you that you shouldn't feel pressured to go on a roller coaster if you don't feel you are ready.

Yes - in fact, you have a higher chance of dying when driving to the park itself. The vast majority of deaths/injuries caused by roller coasters, however, are caused by people behaving unsafely on the ride rather than anything wrong with the ride itself. The rides are constantly tested to make sure that they are safe, and if anything is wrong, the ride will be closed.

Sometimes this will happen if you're facing down a steep drop or going upside down - you might feel like you are starting to lift up, or, you might even actually lift up. Try to remember that this is what the restraints on the roller coaster are for. If they didn't exist, you would almost certainly fall off the ride. Try to keep in mind that drops, loops, etc don't last long, too. If you feel too uncomfortable with this feeling, you can also avoid rides that have these kinds of things.

Technically you will always have that feeling, it’s just adrenaline. However, after a while you won’t feel it as much, especially as you get older and are less easily surprised and thrilled.

There is no right or wrong thing to do––just do what best comforts you. I like to close my eyes and block out everything that keeps me from feeling adrenaline and being scared. Then next thing you know, the ride is over! Just try it.

If you think that you can’t, then don’t. Say that you’ll wait for them and have them text you when they get on so that you can watch for them. If you possibly can, work through the fear and go on the coaster. You’ll be with your friends! But if not, just wait or plan to meet up somewhere else at the show.

Maybe you aren't ready for big roller coasters yet. Try going on small and simple roller coasters before you go on the intense ones. Gradually, you might be able to overcome your fear of roller coasters. Also, go with an experienced rider who can talk you through what is happening... and hold your hand!