January 22, 1999

Michael Otto, PhD

Michael Otto’s career has taken some twists and turns before but nothing like this. Otto, a psychologist at the MGH, recently contracted with Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., to help devise a program to help nervous riders prepare for two new roller coasters.

Universal Studios will soon open a new theme park that will feature these new rides, which are predicted to be the world’s "scariest." To minimize the number of potential riders too frightened to get on, the park’s operators needed a plan.

Along with Brian Newmark, a psychologist from Wayland, Otto will be at the new park next week to train park staff to help would-be passengers who want to go on the rides but are too afraid.

"This program is different from treating patients who have anxiety or mood disorders, which is what I normally do at the MGH," says Otto. "Instead of helping patients with a profound disability function normally, we are giving people who function normally the tools to have fun in a specific area where they have anxiety."

The two psychologists will be focusing on aspects of the rides that can be frightening for "coaster phobics," such as height and speed, as well as the fear that something will go wrong with the ride’s operation. Another key aspect of the fear phenomenon for nervous riders is the absence of control. "This program will help people make the distinction between the illusion of danger and actual danger," says Otto. "We hope to teach them to not try to control what is uncontrollable but instead to do nothing and find what is enjoyable about the ride."

The psychologists will lead the coaster phobics in a rehearsal session to prepare for their journey. The participants will simulate the sensations they will feel on the ride, such as dizziness, by swinging their heads around. The psychologists will help them resist their natural impulse to hold their breath or tighten their muscles.

Participants also will watch a video featuring the riders-eye view of the coaster, with the reassurance that coasters are made to look dangerous but actually are safe. Coaster enthusiasts will be on hand to share their reasons for enjoying the rides.

Otto already has found that many of the participants desperately want to be able to ride but simply can’t. Some feel left out when their fears prevent them from joining family and friends in the rides’ fun and excitement. Others are using the program as a way to gain perspective about other phobias, such as fear of flying in airplanes.

"We hope this program will increase attention to skill-based treatments of anxiety conditions," says Otto. "The principles of cognitive behavioral therapy that we are using to help coaster phobics also are used to treat other phobias without the need for long-term treatments or medications."