Rides as Therapy

Just browing the TV wasteland and "Worst Case Scenario" just reminded me of an intereesting incident that happened while I was working at PGA (GA back then). I ran Whitewater Falls the first year it opened.

One day, a large group of people were escorted up the exit by my supervisor. He explained to me that they were part of a program where phobia patients faced their inner fears. This group was composed entirely of hydrophobics (no, they didn't have rabies) who, along with a psychologtist, were going to face their fears in a big way by riding whitewater falls. They all had bright yellow raincoats and were quite vociferous. Perhaps the roudiness was a way to diffuse the tension.

I gladly held the airgates for the group and watched the board. Soon they were off all hooting and hollering. They came back soaked and chanting "again, again!" I was more than happy to oblige.

Just wondering if any of you have had similar experiences in a park? Fear of heights etc.?

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"If the beats were made of meat then they would have to be me ..." - L.L. Cool J

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Sean

well, i know that i broke all of my fears when i rode my first coaster, medusa, i broke my fear of heights, going upsidedown, , everyhitng. and ya knwo what, i got off and ran right back in line.

I figure that people who are afraid of somehting are afriend because they have never tried it. Like i was. its just a matter of time before you realize that somehting isnt that scary and you need ot tackle your fears. is amazing what groups like that do. They show people that they are not the only ones who have a fear of somehting, and when they are in large groups, they can overcome anyhting becasue thy know the people around them are oging through the same fear that they are.

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"If the beats were made of meat then they would have to be me ..." - L.L. Cool J

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Sean

Yeah, I saw it too. Didn't they ride the Belmont park Giant Dipper to get over the fear after they talked about it and stuff?

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Raging Bull= 100

Ya that is right Zach.

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Sean

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"If the beats were made of meat then they would have to be me ..." - L.L. Cool J

I hope to do that one day :)

I just started working as a therapist after getting my MSW this spring. I would like to specialize in anxiety disorders and eventually do group systematic desentizisation like the one that was featured on the Discovery Channel.

I'll let you all know when you can refer people to me ;)

I've been forcing myself to ride the drop side of Power Tower to overcome my fear of drop rides. My last ride I was able to open my eyes.

Coasters, in general, are major therapy for me. All the stresses I'm under just seem to be much easier to handle after I've spent a day riding coasters. My husband even says I look 10 years younger after a day of coaster riding.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

We'll I may not look 10 years younger, but I do act 10 years younger while riding. ;)

Question: in "group systematic desentizisation", where does the 'systematic' come in? With my experience at Whitewater Falls, it seemed more like a "group desentizisation". Does that mean that they start off modestly? Say, by going to a drive-through car-wash?

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"If the beats were made of meat then they would have to be me ..." - L.L. Cool J

Jan - I know this wasn't what you were asking, but coasters are therapy for me at times, that much I can tell you.

Last August, the day before I was to leave for NYC and the ACE Pres Con at Compounce & Rye, my Accord was stolen. While I tried to maintain perpsective on the whole incident ["its just a car, no one was hurt or killed"] it still caused quite a bit of stress in my life at that moment.

The very next morning I was on a flight to NYC and by 5pm that day I was sitting in the back seat of Coney's Cyclone, surrounded by good friends, and my stress just melted away. For one glorious weekend I completely forgot about my car problems ;-)

Coasters [and good friends]...they're the cure for what ails ya!

Moosh

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"There's nothing sweeter than a bowling ball with a liquid center" - Homer Simpson

Yah...as far as I'm concerned, that downward spiral of negative thinking that we all succumb to from time to time is taking the easy way out. Sometimes you have to put in a little effort to feel better...and that may involve picking yourself up and forcing yourself to go out and do something...whether it be a jaunt down to your local park or an evening with friends.

Yah...I was having a terrible evening for some reason the other day. Although my first ride on the Hi-Miler that evening didn't pull me out completely, by the third trip, I was all better....now don't go telling Glaxo that, not that they'd listen.

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"If the beats were made of meat then they would have to be me ..." - L.L. Cool J