The word Coulrophobia means a persistent and irrational fear of clowns. It possibly originates from Greek Kolon meaning stilt or stilt-walkers which are often used by clowns. The word clown might have even originated from Cloyne, Clod or Colonus- a rustic country bumpkin, farmer, yokel or someone who lacks common sense.
Coulrophobic individuals report feeling “shaken and traumatized” at the sight or even the mere thought of clowns. A study conducted by a Hospital in UK showed that decorating a children’s ward with images of clowns actually backfired when more than 250 children (in the age groups of 4 to 16) reported disliking the images.
It is not just children suffering from this fear; many people having this specific anxiety disorder are middle-aged adults. Media, novels (Stephen King’s novel and movie of the same name (IT) about Penny-wise the Dancing Clown- terrorized many adult Americans who even resorted to wearing t-shirts which read “Can’t Sleep-Clowns will Eat Me Alive”) are known to be major contributory factors in the mass hysteria or fear of clowns. Thus, King’s Penny-wise probably did to people what Jaws did for swimming in the ocean and Hitchcock’s Psycho did for showers. It is believed that the idea of King’s IT might have originated from the author’s own life-long fear of clowns.
What causes Coulrophobia?
As stated above, representations of evil clowns in media is a big contributor for instilling this phobia in young or anxious minded adults.
Clowns and court jesters have been around for thousands of years. Even Emperors and kings in Egypt, China and Europe allowed their court Jesters to mock them where no else could. It was a pretty important position in court. The clown or the Fool was the ‘village idiot who was allowed to be blasphemous’. He might have been a harmless eccentric who was ‘obscenely humorous’ or uninhibited in his sexual acts. In fact: in many Pueblo tribal celebrations, clowns performed sexual acts like masturbation, intercourse, sodomy etc in front of the entire tribe. These associations are known to exist in modern pop culture and media representations.
Psychologists also believe that, like in case of other specific phobias, the fear of clowns could be deeply rooted in childhood, mainly because children below the age of 4 years are highly reactive to familiar body type and unfamiliar faces. One phobic, for example, recalls having visited a fair as a young girl where she encountered a “foul-smelling, yellow-teethed clown who got in her face”.
Symptoms of Coulrophobia
Like in case of other phobias, Coulrophobia also produces many physical, mental and emotional symptoms in the sufferer some of which are:
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Feelings of dread
- Accelerated heartbeat and rapid breathing
- Crying or screaming
- Feeling angry at being placed in a situation where clowns are present.
Treating the fear of clowns
The fear of clowns is treated in the same way as other phobias are: gradually coming in contact with the object of one’s fear so that one has a more controlled response to that object, in this case- clowns.
Fortunately, Coulrophobia does not affect one’s day-to-day life as the phobic can generally avoid situations (circuses, birthday parties etc) where one is likelier to encounter clowns. However, if the phobia is interfering with one’s professional or personal life it is best to seek psychotherapeutic counseling for it. This includes methods like NLP or Neuro-linguistic programming, Hypnotherapy or Gradual or systematic desensitization done with the help of a trained therapist.
These are some of the tried and tested methods for overcoming the fear of clowns.
lauren says
I hate every clown but the rodeo clowns. I have always had a fear of clowns and chickens.
Sinsa says
I feel much better seeing all these comments here. I really don’t like clowns but this makes it a lot easier for me because people usually just make fun of me.
Jolisha says
Same thing here. I get nightmares.. I hate clowns.
Thomas says
I once had a nightmare where a clown was chasing me. He caught me and began strangling my neck. I actually had trouble breathing and woke up choking in a cold sweat.
Cheryl Kelly says
These are the 2 movies that I had experienced watching as a child prematurely because I snuck after being put to bed, as my parents watched these movies are why I have this phobia today at the age of 34. I can’t shake it!
MarkCD says
In my experience people who are afraid of clowns were often introduced to clowns:
1. By being shoved into the arms or face of a clown by a parent when they were very young, usually 2-5 years old because the parent thought it was funny or cute to see their reaction.
2. By watching “It” at almost any age.
3. By going to Woods of Terror or other haunted experiences where they were chased by clowns wearing horrific makeup or doing terrifying things.
4. By being a young person exposed to the true story of serial murderer John Wayne Gacy who was a supposed clown as one of his jobs.
Some people like this scare but others are traumatized by it. Some truly have a phobia while others enjoy the thrill and have fun being frightened and getting attention.
As a clown I find that the kindest thing I can do is honor these people by giving them space. I don’t go up to people when their friends want me to scare them when I am in costume. I avoid children who seem timid or frightened.
Finally, when someone expresses that they want to stop being afraid of clowns I do all I can to help them in the gentlest way possible.
Compassion- If you see that in a clown then you are seeing the real essence of this fine performance art.
k says
That is amazing.
Dallas says
Ever since my brother made me watch IT I was terrified of clowns.
Justin Copple says
I never really understood the fear of clowns. I mean it’s a person in makeup, put a gun to their head and pull the trigger and guess what the fear is gone and you are now a murderer (something to fear right there).
Sb says
This is weird but, I’m not scared of clowns anymore after watching IT by Stephen king chapter 1 and 2.
Will Fourie says
Nice one!
rakem says
The clown i know that was scary is pennywise and the clown gremlins.
Bethany says
Has anyone seen that Twilight Zone episode where 5 people were trapped in this prison-like thing. Whenever the clown came on screen my heart would race and my eyes would tear up and I was just terrified.
sean says
Same.
Dallas says
I can relate, I hate clowns!
bg says
May also be caused by horror-clown books and movies. “It” by Stephen King, and “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” (1988 movie) are two good examples.
Jonathan Friedman says
I was kind of hoping it would be called bozophobia.
Kathy Marquez says
How do I get rid of this phobia? Without facing a clown?
Justin Copple says
Avoid certain venues like a circus or birthday parties or haunted attractions that involves clowns. My sister has a fear of clowns but I never had it even after watching IT or reading the book. I hope this comment helps you.
No says
I have no idea but I would love to do the same thing. I have to go to screen fest soon and would rather not pass out.
Sarah Mackie says
When I was 4, I had this nightmare that I call “The Clown Nightmare” it was scary as hell. I think that’s when it all started for me
Kayleigh says
My 5 year old sister has it . Do you know a way without a therapist we are poor.
cool guy says
Clowns scare me
smiley says
Me too.
21 Savage says
Clowns are ugly and crazy so if you see one run
Bethany says
Agreed
mia says
clowns are very scary
Icie says
Yes
zane says
i have feared clowns from the second i saw one.
camirah says
thats why i fear clowns now because of it
ricke911 says
I only fear clowns that look scary but i hate mascots.
Mikane says
Is there a phobia of being scared that someone is Stalking you? If so, i have it.
joeosborne73 says
Yup its called fight or flight, survival instinct.
Mallory says
Since these clowns have been running around terrorizing the USA I’ve just had the most fear of clowns ive ever had I can NOT go to sleep without knowing that ALL of my doors are locked and I always wake up lots of times in the night fearing that there’s a clown coming to kill me and I’ve had nightmares about these clowns and it’s been hard for me to get ready for school cause I have to get up early and it’s always so dark in my house. I always think there’s a dang clown out there and I’m always hearing stuff and when I do I just start crying and panicking and I’ve been having the worst fear that when I’m home alone a clown is gonna get me and I have just been scared for my dang life but honestly THIS CLOWN CRAP NEEDS TO STOP NOW!
Garland says
same with me
Dylan says
Clowns are really cool!
Brian Wishnefsky says
Dylan you are correct!
Jannah Vincent says
What do you mean ‘cool’?! CLOWNS ARE BEYOND TERRIFYING
lolly says
yes you are correct
Brian says
99.9% who claim they have clown o phobia have Munchausen syndrome. Everyone that reads this can do a favor by exposing this nonsense. Keep in mind people who have pseudo clown phobia AKA Munchausen Syndrome may be hard to reach because ego is connected into it. and they get attention. The way to help someone who claims to have it is don’t respond to them.
Tamara says
You are very incorrect with your statement. Since you obviously don’t suffer from this terrible phobia, you are unaware the embarrassment that comes with Coulraphobia.
Do you really think I would enjoy the attention after i have pissed myself after encountering a clown? Of all the phobias out there, I believe (though surprisingly common) that it’s one of the more irrational phobias to suffer.
I don’t know why I fear clowns. My mother told me I freaked out seeing a Jack-In-The-Box when I was a child. Maybe that’s how it developed. But to dismiss my fear as some attention seeking technique is total ignorance.
Marie keene says
I hate clowns
Lashanda says
I hate clowns too they will scare you.
Brian Wishnefsky says
Then why are you on this Page with Scary Clown foto’s?
MICHAEL HARLEY says
THANK YOU