What is the Fear of Clowns (Coulrophobia)? Updated September 09, 2016 Coulrophobia, or fear of clowns, seems to be relatively common. A January 2008 report from BBC News suggests that clown phobia may be more ingrained than was previously assumed. That article cites a recent study conducted by University of Sheffield researchers who polled children in several British hospitals about an upcoming hospital redesign. According to the news story, all 250 children (age 4 to 16) expressed a fear or dislike of clowns. The full results of the study have not yet been published. Widespread Fear of Clowns Why are we, as a society, collectively afraid of clowns? In a 2004 review article for Trinity University, Joseph Durwin postulates that there are two commonly accepted schools of thought. One is that the fear is based on a negative personal experience with a clown at a young age. The second theory is that mass media has created a hype surrounding evil clowns such that even children who are not personally exposed to clowns are trained to dislike or fear them. However, neither of these theories is entirely satisfactory.

History of the Clown Durwin continues into an impressive history of the clown, dating back to the jester or fool of ancient times. In those days, the clown was given permission and even expected, to represent the deviant side of human nature, from openly defying the sexual norms of the day to mocking the gods. As time went on, the jester morphed into the trickster, a more sinister figure with intentions that were less than honorable. The modern circus clown is an outgrowth of the tramp clowns of the Depression era. Tramp clowns were largely members of the "unsavory" underclass who entertained the most privileged with a caricatured look at their daily existence. Although most tramp clowns were harmless, a seedy underbelly did exist among the clown circuit. By the 1980s, clown phobia had reached a peak. Rumors of ritual abuse of children were rampant, and clowns figured heavily into many of the stories. Spontaneous reports of clown harassment began pouring in from children nationwide. Even urban legends began to focus on killer clowns lying in wait for hapless babysitters.

Soon Stephen King tapped into the national consciousness with the definitive killer clown work of fiction, "It." Killer Clowns and Circus Clowns In the decades that followed, killer clowns have become a part of our human myths. At Halloween events, killer clowns are often part of the festivities. Yet the killer clown's innocent cousin, the circus clown, continues to delight and amaze the young and the young at heart. How can we justify this seemingly incompatible coexistence? A possible explanation can be found by looking to the past. Throughout history, clowns have represented the side of us that is not acceptable to society. That side is formed from our most primal urges and is not always neat or pretty. Perhaps the clown both attracts and repels us because he or she holds up a mirror to our inner selves. Until more research is performed, the causes of clown phobia will remain firmly in the realm of speculation. Fortunately, it is possible for mental health professionals to treat clown phobia , as any other phobia, without learning the precise reasons for its development.

Source: Coulrophobia--Fear of Clowns is No Laughing Matter Coulrophobia–Fear of Clowns is No Laughing Matter Modified : February 14,2015 Perhaps you are made particularly uncomfortable by circus clowns, or maybe a friend or family member expressed fright when encountering a clown entertainer at a child’s birthday party. As silly as the situation may sound, the fearful emotions are all too real . This is coulrophobia. For the uninitiated, the definition of coulrophobia is, quite simply, the fear of clowns. The coulrophobia pronunciation is “Kull-rho-foe-bee-uh”, although the term itself is relatively new to the English language. In fact, it is believed to have been first brought into use during the 1980s and grown in recognition via the internet. However, having a fear of clowns is nothing new, and it is a phobia that is almost surprisingly common. In fact, people have been scared of clowns for centuries, practically for the entire time clowns have been in existence, well before people ever began to define coulrophobia.

Coulrophobia Symptoms As with all phobias, when it comes to clown phobia there are different degrees to which a person reacts to their fear. Much of it is mental, but many people experience physical reactions as well. For most, these reactions occur when in the actual presence of a clown or even when seeing one on TV, but for some the phobia runs so deep that even reading about clowns (Stephen King’s 1986 novel, It, is a definite no-go) or hearing about them through others can proke them. The symptoms of coulrophobia- fear of clowns include (but are not limited to) the following: Feelings of anxiety (anxiousness or nervousness, butterflys in the stomach, difficulty focusing, etc.) Sweating Intense feelings of dread or terror Why Are Clowns Scary? For those who are unafflicted with a phobia of clowns (especially those who are clowns themselves), coming to understand coulrophobia can be rather difficult. After all, clowns are largely associated with children and circuses, and they are intended to make people laugh and bring about happiness– just what could be so scary about that?

Well, the thing about phobias is that they are not entirely rational and never have been. Phobias are almost an unnecessary fear of something, to the point where it can affect a person’s ability to function in the presence of whatever it is they fear. For example, a person with arachnophobia (the fear of spiders) is often very afraid of even the small, harmless types of spiders and could even be triggered just by the presence of their webs. For others, of course, if there is no danger, there is no reason to be afraid. That said, trying to tell a person with a phobia that there is no logical reason for them to be afraid is not bound to work as it is really telling them to go against their instincts. If you’re in the presence of a clown and your natural reaction is to break out in cold sweats and raise your heartbeat, that’s a very powerful message your body is sending you– “Danger! Get away!” So, someone coming along and basically telling you that your body is wrong is likely to be ineffective and counterproductive. Even so, those in the psychology field know that behind every phobia, there is at least some base of reason no matter how small.

With coulrophobia, here are some of the common reasons why psychologists believe people fear clowns: Clown makeup and clothing makes them unrecognizable as humans Clown makeup often limits the amount of expressions they can display or worse, overexaggerates them In circus settings, clowns are often associated with mischievous acts Certain works of horror (like the aforementioned Stephen King novel) have associated clowns with evildoings Many people choose to dress up as “evil clowns” during costume parties and Halloween, thus helping to contribute to the fears of others Actual “evil clowns” in real life (like serial murderer and children’s party clown, John Wayne Gacy) have of course not helped matters either. But overall, it is the unfamiliarity of clowns that seems to provoke people’s fears the most. On at least a subconcious level, people with coulrophobia are left wondering things like, “Just what IS under that makeup?” Basically, clowns just don’t appear to be human, and that is what frightens people more than anything. Coulrophobia Statistics As mentioned earlier, coulrophobia is surprisingly common.

However, as with many phobias, some practitioners in the psychology field may use the coulrophobia definition a little too broadly and may therefore diagnose people with the phobia even when incidents were isolated or not that severe. So, while not too much research has been on the subject, the statistics that do exist may be a little skewed as to the number of people who actually have an abnormal fear of clowns. That said, there is still a lot of interesting information to be learned from the facts that have been gathered surrounding this phobia, and learning more about it is key to both understanding it and helping to treat it (especially when it is you or a loved one who happens to have it). So, here are some interesting coulrophobia facts: Coulrophobia is found to be much more prevalent in children, and in fact the majority of children are at least made uncomfortable by clowns (a 2008 University of Sheffield study discovered this when looking to redecorate a children’s hospital ward– needless to say, clowns were out of the question after that).

The fear is actually so prevalent among children that clowns who visit hospitals will usually wait in a child’s doorway and only enter the room if invited to do so by the young patient. Many people with coulrophobia may also have at least some level of fear when it comes to Santa Claus, and children with the phobia have expressed fear of “going to see Santa” around the holidays. It is believed that the phobia is triggered in many people by traumatic events at a young age, either involving clowns, clown material, or masked figures. Some researchers even believe that cases of the phobia spiked in the early 1990s after the film adaptation of It came out in 1990, and after Jack Nicholson portrayed the Joker in 1989’s Batman (Heath Ledger’s turn as the Joker in 2008’s The Dark Knight may have contributed to people’s fears as well). The phobia is estimated to afflict around 12 percent of American adults, and the numbers may be similar in other countries. So, if you have coulrophobia, the important thing to take away from this is that you’re far from being alone in your fear.

Even if you don’t happen to know anyone else who has it, there are many others out there who are just like you when it comes to their reactions to clowns. Fighting the Fear (Treating Coulrophobia) Fortunately, people with coulrophobia don’t necessarily need to live in fear of those painted, colorful entertainers for the rest of their lives. As with other phobias, there are ways to effectively treat the fear and learn to manage it so it doesn’t disrupt one’s life. There are many forms of treatment available to those with coulrophobia, including (but not limited to) the following: Exposure therapy– gradually increased exposure to clown-related material and clowns themselves, until the patient becomes comfortable with it all. Talking about the fear in sessions with a therpist and discovering the root of it (may help the patient realize that the fear was created in their mind, and that there is no danger in real life). Being introduced to and becoming acquainted with actual clowns (both in and out of makeup), thereby learning to see them as real, normal people.

Learning more about clowns (the different types of clowns, their different styles of entertainment, clown colleges, history of clowns, etc.) to increase familiarity and understanding. Adopting breathing patterns and other self-calming techniques to ease symptoms of coulrophobia, namely anxiety and anything else that can actually disrupt everyday life. If you or a loved one has coulrophobia (or you suspect that it is the culprit behind certain issues), don’t be afraid to seek out the help of a therpist. They will help you better understand the problem and will discuss treatment options with you to find what is likely to work best. Recommended for you Mr. Special (Turkey) Aug 04, 2016 at 05:47 am Be aware many clowns are bullied. People who are pretentious and pretend they have a fear of clowns feel they can say anything to them and put them down. Clowns are some of the most abused people around. They’re here to make you happy and people feel the there an it instead of a person. This article is completely expressing that point by assuming that clowns are scary and perpetuating nonsense. Think about it you’re supposed to be the anti-bullying site.

Leave a Reply Fear of Clowns (Coulrophobia) – Facts, Origins, Scientific Explanation | Psychologia FOLLOW Fear of Clowns (Coulrophobia) – Facts, Origins, Scientific Explanation Coulrophobia, a scientific term for what is otherwise known as the fear of clowns may seem like a laughing matter at first glance, but for the people that suffer with this terrifying fear of a great childhood entertainment icon, it can literally stop life dead in its tracks. It could be a kid’s birthday card with a happy, smiley clown on the front that sets you off. It might even be a film on TV that stars a clown, or an appearance from one on a TV show. It could be anything that sets your heart racing and every hair standing to attention on your body, and it is certainly not fun. Imagine your biggest fear of spiders, snakes, creepy crawlies, birds, and more… but in clown form! For years, clowns have been the subject of horror stories, and there are plenty of people that will happily put their hands in the air and admit to being absolutely petrified of them.

Even the renowned actor and star of the pretty horrific Edward Scissorhands, Johnny Depp has come out about his fear of the red-lipped creatures, apparently stating that he could sense a darkness “lurking” beneath the surface of them. I guess when you think about it, he almost could be right! Apparently, for most people who suffer with a fear of clowns, the worst case scenario that you could ever be in is in the back seat of a clown car. It doesn’t really matter when or where they are set though – a study back in 2008 showed that children didn’t really like the appearance of clowns anywhere in the doctors surgeries, dentists, hospitals and more. Could it be that as adults, the clown is relatable to the time spent being sick as a child…? Coulrophobia is a term that has only been thrown around very recently, and it would appear that this phobia is a relatively new concept. Perhaps it is down to popular media forms such as TV, films and radio that has caused the fear itself to occur?

Studies have been ongoing on this phobia, and it would appear that the underlying concern with people and clowns is the fact hat you can never really tell their true identity, and it is this fear of not-knowing that causes the state of panic to happen. There’s usually a lot of makeup on a clown, masking the true face of the person beneath, and the colored wig would make it almost impossible to tell what kind of hair would lie beneath it. When you add to this the often-ridiculous costumes that these kids entertainers normally wear, with the hula-hoop holding the pants out at the waist, you wouldn’t be able to tell anything about the person beneath it – whether they were thin or fat, a man or a woman, etc. You literally cannot tell anything about the person underneath the costume, and this is what scientists believe is behind the underlying fears. It was the 1990’s film directed by Steven Spielberg, IT, that set the Caoulrophobia wheels in motion. In fact, scientists believe that the hit film caused many of the cases of the phobia around us today, and that numbers of people suffering have dramatically increased since around that time.

To be honest, when you consider that the clown has been an iconic character in many films, it’s hardly surprising that the phobia is growing, and worse – evolving. The Joker in the Batman films is just another classic example. When you consider how often you will see a clown on a daily basis, you can imagine how many people could be, and are affected every day. The fast food restaurant, hospital waiting rooms and kids wards, balloons, baby changing facility signs… The clowns are everywhere. As a general rule, the fear of clowns is a fear that will come across from an early age, with many kids being unimpressed by the unfamiliar faces in the seemingly familiar bodies… Despite this, many more adults are developing the phobia, once again, scientists believe, is down to popular media. Maybe it is wise to think twice before you watch that horror movie tonight? COULROPHOBIA: The fear of Clowns Are you afraid of clowns? Then you are not alone! An increasing number of children and adults find them scary and intimidating It even has a scientific name: Coulrophobia Coulrophobia: The fear of Clowns What is coulrophobia?

Since it is not an old phobia, but one that increased in recent decades, little is known about coulrophobia. Scientists and doctors now agree that it is a result of not knowing who lies behind the excessive makeup, red nose and hair color. The clown wears a colorful makeup to deconstruct the facial features to create a new identity. And clowns can also break social norms, their mask makes them able to do things that others can’t do socially, like interacting with unknown people at ease. Some researchers believe that coulrophobia cases increased after the 90’s, when Steven Spielberg classic horror film “IT” depicting a murderous clown was released and the portrayal of Joker as an evil character in Batman movies did not help the matter either. Social implications The phobia can cause a state of panic, difficulty in breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea and feelings of fear. The coulrphobia may seem absurd for some, however, many people suffer so much, that it prevents them to eat a hamburger in a famous fast food chain. It is not a trivial matter either and coulrophobia shouldn’t be treated lightly.

Some hospitals use clowns as mural decorations which may make some coulrophobic children feel unease during their stay at the hospital. Although the fear of clowns develops most of the time during childhood, it is prevalent among adult population too, even if a big number of adults would deny it. It is said that the phobia develops in early years, when children are very sensible to an unfamiliar face in a familiar body. There isn’t any official data about how many people suffer from coulrophobia, although it is believed that it is much more prevalent in western society (where exposure to clowns is more prevalent since a younger age). Some estimate that around 12% of adults in the US suffer from it. At the end of the day, any phobia is an irrational fear and clowns exist to entertain us. To help better understand what provoked this phobia and how it is manifested, write in the comments below. Coulrophobia Creating Happy Memories that Last a Lifetime Coulrophobia By Bruce ï¿½Charlieï¿½ Johnson Coulrophobia is a fear of clowns. The general public has become increasingly aware of this fear in recent years. I believe the word coulrophobia has existed for less than twenty years.

I donï¿½t know if there is increased incidence of fear of clowns or if there is just an increased perception of its existence. I first encountered an adult who was afraid of clowns early in my career in the mid-1970s. Coulrophobia can range from a mild discomfort when confronted by an actual clown to terror of clowns in the abstract. One day I was picking up some promotional material at a printer. I was in street clothes, not in make up and costume. When I introduced myself to the clerk, he said, ï¿½Oh, you are the clown.ï¿½ The woman behind me in line gasped, and asked, ï¿½Are you a clown?ï¿½ When I responded that was my profession she said, ï¿½Oh, Iï¿½m afraid of clowns.ï¿½ Then she got out of line and went to the other side of the store and stood looking at the wall until I had left. I did not look like a clown, but just the knowledge that I sometimes appeared as a clown, was enough to terrorize her so that she could not look at me.

Through the years I have talked with many adults who are afraid of clowns. Some of them thought they understood what caused their fear. Others did not know what caused it. Here are some conclusions that I have drawn. Natural Fear Children around the age of two and three are uncertain around anything unusual that they donï¿½t understand. At that age they are uncomfortable around fantasy characters like Santa Claus and clowns. Children who love watching Mickey Mouse on television can become terrified when suddenly confronted by a five-foot tall Mickey Mouse at one of the Disney amusement parks. They do not know what the character will do which causes discomfort. (Some adults say the unpredictability of a clownï¿½s actions is one of the things that make them uncomfortable.) If the child is allowed to watch the character from a distance and then approach as they understand the character is not a threat they frequently overcome their uneasiness, relax, and enjoy interacting with the character. Some clowns claim that a certain type of make up design is less frightening to children of this age. However, that is not true. Anything that the child finds unusual can be frightening. I have seen children afraid of an entertainer wearing only a red nose and no other make up.

I have seen children quickly warm up to a clown with a make up design that I thought they would consider scary. The most beloved clown in the Seattle area is one who goes against all of the common advice for making your make up less scary. The majority of my performances are as a non-verbal character. I discovered that sometimes children of this age found my silence frightening because they had never experienced somebody who did not speak. In that circumstance I would always break character, kneel down, speak to them, and then once they were reassured I would return to my non-verbal performance style. Children normally outgrow this natural fear unless something happens that traumatizes them at this stage of their development. It can be an encounter with an untrained clown who does not allow them to become comfortable with them from a distance. It can be a parent who thrusts a terrified child into Santaï¿½s lap for a Christmas picture. It can be an encounter with somebody costumed for Halloween. Any of these kinds of trauma can lock them into a fear of costumed characters which is expressed most often as a fear of clowns.

Frequently the person suffering from this cause of coulrophobia will say they donï¿½t like clowns because they canï¿½t tell who is hidden behind the make up. Media Portrayals It is amazing the number of people that I have met who trace their fear of clowns back to watching Steven Kingï¿½s "It", a horror film in which a murderous monster has the appearance of a clown. That movie was originally a television miniseries. I performed a preschool show the morning after the first half was aired. When I arrived, the preschool director told me that there were five children who did not want to see my show because they had watched ï¿½Itï¿½ the night before. I could not imagine parents letting their young children stay up until 11 PM to watch what was advertised as a horror movie. Other negative movie portrayals of clowns have also contributed to coulrophobia. One adult told me the clown doll in ï¿½Poltergeistï¿½ caused them to be afraid of clowns.

I have talked to other people who have referred to the clowns who were mean to the little elephant in the Disney film ï¿½Dumbo.ï¿½ Film makers like the irony of somebody who is supposed to bring happiness being a source of pain. This can be traced back to ï¿½He Who Gets Slappedï¿½, a silent film movie starring Lon Chaney Sr. that was released in 1920. In this film, Chaney played a clown who fell in love with a lovely equestrienne who in turn was in love with a sadistic lion trainer. The clown kills his rival to protect her. In the 1940 film ï¿½The Fat Manï¿½, Emmett Kelly Sr. played a murderer that uses his stolen funds to buy a circus where he hides out as a clown. A year later, in ï¿½The Greatest Show On Earthï¿½, Jimmy Stewart plays a doctor guilty of a mercy killing hiding out as a clown with the circus. (Clowns are not the only victims of negative media portrayals.

I talked to a woman who traces her fear of dentists to the sadistic dentist played by Steve Martin in the movie ï¿½Little Shop of Horrorsï¿½. The same film had a masochist character who went to dentists because he enjoyed the pain they cause. ) Real life killer The media image of a killer clown was reality in one case, John Wayne Gacey. Many people refer to him when explaining why they donï¿½t like clowns. There have been many other serial killers with other professions and hobbies, but because of the irony involved people remember that Gacey was a clown. The true crime book written about him is titled Killer Clown. The reality is that of the millions of people who have performed as clowns over the years, only one of them was a serial killer. The majority of clowns really do cause enjoyment.

Clowns used as Bogeyman One day when I was performing as a clown at the Raging Waters amusement park, I heard a woman behind me say, ï¿½See that clown over there, if you donï¿½t behave Iï¿½m going to ask him to come over and stomp on you with his big feet.ï¿½ I knew that if I had turned around it would have immediately traumatized the child she was talking to, so I just exited the area. Unfortunately, that is not as rare an occurrence as you might think. I talked to one man who remembered misbehaving in a grocery store when they turned a corner and saw an actual dwarf. His mother said, ï¿½See that man. If you donï¿½t obey me you are going to turn out like him.ï¿½ The next time that boy saw a dwarf was one performing as a clown in a circus. His fear of dwarves became generalized into a fear of clowns. Using clowns as bogeymen is formalized in some cultures. At the Southeast Asian Museum in Singapore I saw masks of clown characters.

The information accompanying the masks said they were used by entertainers to create laughter during religious ceremonies, but that mothers also used the masks to discipline their children by warning them that the clowns carried away children who misbehaved. The Potlatch was an important event in the cultural and political life of the Pacific Northwest tribes. At the Potlatch a person wearing a Nukmuhl mask (Big Nose) doubled as a clown providing comedy and as the Sergeant of Arms. The host of the Potlatch would sometimes hire somebody to misbehave slightly so the clown could demonstrate the penalty for violating the rules of a potlatch. The discipline might be mild like a child being forced to sit alone in the center where everyone could see their shame. More severe discipline like beating an adult with a paddle might be administered by Nukmuhl. Learned Behavior Children often lean to be afraid of the same things their parents are afraid of. I know a woman who has a phobia about bees. Her father had a valid fear of bees because he was allergic to them so a sting could be life threatening. Bees were harmless to her because she was not allergic to them. She had learned to be afraid of bees from her father.

Since it was instilled in her as an impressionable child, her fear was much stronger than her fatherï¿½s fear of bees. Some children who were frightened by watching ï¿½Itï¿½ have grown into adults and passed their fear along to their children who have not had any traumatic experience with clown characters. The increased media attention to coulrophobia may also contribute to its spread. It makes people aware that others are afraid of clowns so maybe there is a reason to fear them. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Social Status In some groups it is considered hip to dislike clowns. Although they are not actually afraid of clowns they may state that they are. I believe that this faked fear of clowns has helped create the perception that it is much more common is true. Other Causes By definition a phobia is an irrational fear. There does not have to be a rational cause or explanation. Some people develop coulrophobia without anybody being able to discover the cause. Treatment Coulrophobia may be irrational, but it is a very real fear, except where social status is the cause. The person affected by it must be respected. They can not be teased or debated out of their fear.

As in other types of phobias one cure is gradually increased exposure. A first step might be looking at photos of clowns until you feel comfortable looking at them. The next step may be watching a performance of a clown on television or watching a live performance of a clown from a distance, for example, seated in back of a theater. Then when you feel safe watching from a distance, you arrange for a closer encounter with a clown. Something else that some people find reassuring is watching an entertainer make the transition from their normal appearance into their clown character. That has helped some adults overcome their fear. At times I have started library or preschool shows by applying my make up to help reassure some children who may still be a little uncertain of clowns. I have heard some clowns disagree with this approach because it breaks the fantasy of the character, but my experience has been that kids love to pretend and soon willingly react as if I had always been the fantasy character. Young children with a mild fear can overcome it by being reassured. After a recent performance a mother approached me with two young girls.

She said, ï¿½I wasnï¿½t sure if my daughters would like your show because they were watching the ï¿½Airbudï¿½ movie which had a mean clown.ï¿½ My response was, ï¿½Oh that was Michael Jeter playing the part of the clown. He pretended to be mean to make the movie more exciting. He really isnï¿½t like that at all. Michael plays another clown character that you may like. He is Mr. Noodleï¿½s brother on the Elmoï¿½s World portion of ï¿½ Sesame Street Coulrophobia – Symptoms and Causes of Coulrophobia – Treatment Share your stories and support others... Coulrophobia Tweet The image of a clown can bring up a lot of different emotions within people. While usually associated with fun, playful or entertaining thoughts, clowns can also be associated with negative imagery and their presence can be downright terrifying for some. Because this fear is usually tied to emotional causes, there is no simple “cure” of coulrophobia. There are, however, several different treatment methods available for those who are looking to overcome their fears .

Symptoms of Coulrophobia While coulrophobia may seem humorous from an outside perspective, a person suffering from the fear of clowns may experience severe panic attacks in these types of situations. Other symptoms include: Feeling of terror or dread Rapid or irregular heartbeat Causes of Coulrophobia Those with coulrophobia may also take extreme methods in their personal lives to avoid clowns or, if faced with a stressful situation, may find the quickest escape and leave the situation unannounced immediately. So what is to blame for this irrational fear? Many feel that it is a combination of traumatic experiences and imagery that can cause this irrational fear. A fear of clowns, while oftentimes initiated by a negative personal experience, can be based within negative media imagery. Clowns are a relatively common theme throughout horror films and are commonly employed as a scare tactic by popular media. The idea is similar to that of the Trojan Horse, where something commonly nonthreatening is used to instill fear or dread, thus surprising an audience and altering their mental association with the character. While most children see clowns as fun-loving jokesters and an opportunity for entertainment, an adult who has just seen the Stephen King movie “IT” may have a completely opposite perspective.

Treatment of Coulrophobia Treatment methods usually used in overcoming coulrophobia commonly employ exposure therapy . This allows patients to slowly become more familiar with clowns on a gradually increasing basis. Patients will begin with a discussion of their fears and probable roots, then move onto seeing pictures or videos associated with clowns. The eventual goal is to be able to be comfortable in the same room as a clown. This process allows patients to become more familiar with their fears and eventually desensitized to them. Coulrophobia can cause panic and fear in situations that may seem common to many others. While avoiding a children’s birthday party may seem like an obvious treatment, clowns can be found in a variety of other social places. If you want to rid yourself entirely of your irrational fear, visiting with a professional or exploring self-help options is likely your best path towards recovery. Be sure to do some Internet research to become more familiar with the phobia and find out which treatment method you would be most comfortable with. View Resources Overcoming a Fear of Clowns Overcoming a Fear of Clowns Modified : December 22,2015 Everyone has some type of fear, regardless of its severity.

Some people are afraid of bugs, while others are afraid of dogs or even the dark. One fear that is more common than many people may realize is the fear of clowns. The clinical term for fear of clowns is coulrophobia , and people with coulrophobia can have a mild aversion to clowns, to a full-fledged phobia that causes potentially embarrassing behavior. If you have a fear of clowns and you feel that it’s taking over your life, then the following tips should help you to cope with and possibly even significantly minimize this potentially debilitating condition. Mild fear to severe phobia fear of clowns Some children and adults may have a mild fear or dislike of clowns , and they are typically able to control themselves when forced to come into contact with creepy clowns. However, other individuals suffer from a much more serious form of the fear of clowns which causes them to experience severe panic attacks, including difficulty breathing, profuse perspiration and more. In order to properly diagnose your condition and its level of severity, you will need to seek the assistance of a professional. Diagnosing fear of clowns There is often not a need to diagnose coulrophobia , as it is quite evident when it occurs.

However, if your condition is extremely severe then you might opt to seek professional help from a licensed psychologist who can diagnose and treat your phobia fear of clowns. There are psychologists who specialize in treating phobias, and if you would prefer to have a mental health professional who specializes in irrational fears, then you might need to search for one outside your local area. You might be lucky enough to have one available in your area, however. Cause of fear of clowns phobia There has not been a great deal of research done on coulrophobia to determine the exact cause , but according to Trinity University Specialist, Joseph Durwin, there are two probable reasons for this disorder. One of the explanations that he proposes is that a child may develop coulrophobia after experiencing a terrifying encounter with a menacing or creepy clown at a young age. His other theory is that mass media induces these fears due to the manner in which clowns are depicted in the media. Despite his two theories, neither is acceptable to him, which is why he continues to research this topic in order to learn as much as possible.

Studies regarding clowns & children In 2008, the University of Sheffield decided to take a poll in order to determine which type of décor would be most appreciated on the children’s wing of the university hospital. 250 children between the ages of 4 and 16 were included in the poll. Researchers were astounded to discover that a large percentage of the entire group disliked clowns in some manner, and many of them were truly fearful of clowns, even if they had never had a negative experience with one. The children were shown photos of clowns, and it was noted that “friendly” clowns were feared or disliked just as vehemently as the “evil” ones. Hollywood’s role in coulrophobia You have probably noticed the various “killer clown” movies that have been released over the years. The extremely scary clowns in these movies certainly don’t make your fear any better, and in fact, seeing the previews of a movie with a maniacal clown as its main character can definitely trigger an episode for you. The origin of clowns dates back to 2400 BC, when clowns were looked upon as religious figures.

By the early 1800’s, the depiction of clown evolved into the silly character with white paint on its face that most people know today. By the 1900’s, writers and movie producers began incorporating “dark humor” in with their clown plots in order to entertain many audiences. Once the idea was ignited and producers discovered how much the public enjoyed the “killer clown” persona, their enthusiasm to create increasingly more only increased. Treating coulrophobia There are various treatments for coulrophobia – fear of clowns, and the specific treatment that will be recommended for you will depend on the severity of your condition as well as the cause. There is no treatment that specifically treats coulrophobia; however, the therapist that you choose will approach your treatment as he or she would with any type of phobia. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common treatment which can teach you more appropriate ways to cope and react whenever faced with scary clowns. It may take an extended period of time to help, if your fear of clowns is severe, but if you’re dedicated and stick with it, then CBT can be very effective, though there is no guarantee.

Another possible treatment which might invoke fear in you simply by thinking about it is exposure therapy. Exposure therapy is a specific type of treatment that entails exposing you to clowns in order to rid you of your extreme fear. The therapy would start out with a few, infrequent exposures and build up until you can tolerate being in the presence of clowns even more. There is no guarantee that exposure therapy will work, and in some individuals it can have a counteractive effect. However, if you are willing and your therapist thinks it could help, then it’s certainly worth a try. There is no medication that is going to treat your fear of clowns, but if you experience anxiety on a regular basis as a result of your fear, then you could be prescribed one of many anti-anxiety drugs that can relieve your anxiety. You may be prescribed sedatives to take on an as-needed basis, such as if you were to unexpectedly encounter a clown which could trigger a massive panic attack . Coping with fear of clowns Since clowns can be seen everywhere: on television, in movies, at stores, school, work—just about any place, it can be difficult to totally avoid this popular character.

In order to prevent an episode that ends with you totally embarrassing yourself if you should happen to see a clown while in a public place, here are some tips that might help. Close your eyes and take long, deep breaths. Imagine that you are sitting on a relaxing beach where no clowns are present. Remind yourself that the clown that triggered your episode is not real and is only a ploy to scare—or entertain people. Practice any tips that your therapist may have taught you, if possible. Applaud yourself if you were able to successfully avert a full-fledged attack. A fear of clowns can be a potentially unbearable condition that can have a negative impact on a person’s life, since clowns can’t always be avoided. Clowns are everywhere we go, especially on Halloween. If you feel that your fear of clowns has worsened to the point where it is debilitating and is interfering with your life, then you should definitely seek the help of a mental health professional. Your coulrophobia doesn’t mean that you are “crazy,” but merely suffer from a condition. There is hope available, and the right psychologist can help you control your fear so that it doesn’t continue to rule your life.

Recommended for you No laughing matter: Fear of clowns is serious issue - The Body Odd The Body Odd No laughing matter: Fear of clowns is serious issue By The Body Odd Email Mark Kolbe / Getty Images Are you scared right now? Symptoms of coulrophobia, the fear of clowns, can include sweating, nausea, feelings of dread, fast heartbeat, crying or screaming, and anger at being placed in a situation where a clown is present. For those infected with the panic, the monsters typically pounce with mammoth feet as high-pitched, almost-joyful squeals emanate from their frightful noses. Scarier still, these creatures tend to travel in tight clusters, often arriving in the same manner. One teeny-tiny car. Based on responses to a recent story on the TODAY.com about a 95-year-old clown named "Creeky,” many people harbor the heebie-jeebies for men and women who traipse around in greasepaint, frilly orange wigs and gigantic bowties.

Among the 83 people who commented on the Facebook post about the story, 20 used the word “creepy” and many others admitted to being spooked by clowns, posting confessions such as "clowns freak the hell out of me" and "I hate clowns, ever since I watched 'It' [the movie based on the Stephen King novel]." “They just look evil to me!” says Sue Molitor, of Valley Park, Missouri, one of people who commented negatively about clowns. “I honestly do not remember when I began to dislike clowns," she added in an email interview. "I've never encountered one where I turned around and left because I never put myself close enough to one." Molitor says if she had her way, Ronald McDonald would be out of a job. "I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't scared a few children over the years and now they are in therapy," she says. “Also, the commercial from the U.S. Postal Service ?

Priceless!” By definition, an irrational fear of clowns is known as coulrophobia, with the prefix "coulro" coming from the ancient Greek word for "one who goes on stilts." Symptoms of coulrophobia can include sweating, nausea, feelings of dread, fast heartbeat, crying or screaming, and anger at being placed in a situation where a clown is present. According to Rami Nader, a psychologist and director of the North Shore Stress and Anxiety Clinic in North Vancouver, B.C., the psychological roots of the phobia may be traced to the fact that clowns are basically wearing disguises (albeit funny ones) while displaying artificial emotions (even silly ones) that perhaps hide their true feelings. "You can’t really tell who they are," he says. "You can’t really see their face. You don’t really know what that all means behind the mask.” Nader says he only rarely sees people with the disorder, however, coulrophobia is common enough to warrant at least one study, conducted by the University of Sheffield in England in 2008 .

Researchers asked more than 250 children (ages four to 16) what they thought of the idea of using clown imagery to decorate a hospital children's ward. According to Dr. Penny Curtis, who helped conduct the study, "We found that clowns [were] universally disliked by children. Some found them quite frightening and unknowable." How do you treat a clown phobia? The same way you treat any other phobia, says Nader, the psychologist “What we need to do is gradually come into contact with that thing – whether it’s spiders or heights, whatever you’re afraid of – and learn to cope with the anxiety, learn to recognize that what you’re afraid of won’t actually harm you," he says. "You won’t lose control, you won’t panic, you won’t embarrass yourself with other people." Judy Chessa, LMSW and coordinator at the Anxiety & Phobia Treatment Center in New York’s White Plains Hospital, says she can’t recall ever treating any person with coulrophobia. “But I wonder if that’s because this isn’t a phobia as much as a fear,” she says. “You can put the suffix ‘phobia’ after pretty much anything and define it as a phobia.

“Most likely, people with this fear can just easily avoid situations where they encounter clowns. So it doesn’t become an issue for them. They don’t see clowns during the day or at their jobs – except, I guess, those poor people who work at the circus.” Coulrophobia: Fear of Clowns- Causes, Symptoms and Treatment | Healthtopia Blog Coulrophobia: Fear of Clowns- Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Clowns may not be subject of laughter in actual. In fact, after the Pennywise the Clown from Stephen King’s “It” movie of 1990, even middle aged Americans were terrorized by the image of a clown. There’s a specific kind of phobia in which the person excessively and constantly fears clowns. This kind of phobia is known as coulrophobia. Coulrophobia has been derived from Greek word “Kolon” which means stilt or stilt walker. These are commonly used by clowns. It is signified by a persistent worry of coming across a clown, and getting intensely disturbed upon any related encounter with clowns. This type of phobia is more common in children, but also occurs with adults. What Causes Coulrophobia?

Coulrophobia can be caused by various factors: Media Image Coulrophobia has been often related with the media content that portrayed clowns as evil and dangerous creatures rather than comedy element. There are many horror movies like “It” by Stephen King or “Poltergeist” by Steven Spielberg which introduced heart wrecking clown characters. Such type of media image can have a long lasting fear, and that might turn out to be phobia in many people. A traumatic encounter Another notable cause for this kind of fear with clowns is associated with is a traumatic experience that is somewhere related with clowns. Mostly, children are more vulnerable to be traumatized by the appearance of a clown due to unfamiliar appearance. Any such distress and trauma might take a form of phobia in people unexpectedly.

The Symptoms of Coulrophobia Common symptoms that can occur with people (both children and adults) having coulrophobia are: Intense and irrelevant fear of clowns and coming across one Fleeing away from a clown immediately even when it doesn’t pose any danger Instant reactions such as crying and screaming Avoiding amusement parks, parades and fetes to avoid clowns only Fear is triggered even by seeing accessory such as a hat or shows of a clown Realizing that the fear is irrational ( except in children) Panic attacks upon such fearful experience Physical symptoms such as trembling, trouble in breathing, increased heart rate, sweating and clammy hands, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or fainting, abdominal uneasiness and feeling hot When to Visit a doctor? Coulrophobia can be a problem if the person is constantly worried and having disturbing thoughts about clowns. If the above symptoms have been occurring for a long time period, exceeding over six months and disturbed the daily life of a person, one needs to visit a doctor. How is Coulrophobia Treated?

Question: Coulrophobia is the fear of what type of people?
Answer: Clowns