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You are here: Home / Phobias / Fear of Clowns Phobia – Coulrophobia

Fear of Clowns Phobia – Coulrophobia

By Editorial Staff 45 Comments

Coulrophobia

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.

Fear of Clowns Phobia - Coulrophobia

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.

Tell Your Story

Comments

  1. lauren says

    February 9, 2023 at 3:26 pm

    I hate every clown but the rodeo clowns. I have always had a fear of clowns and chickens.

    Reply
  2. Sinsa says

    April 25, 2021 at 10:00 am

    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.

    Reply
  3. Jolisha says

    October 1, 2019 at 12:08 am

    Same thing here. I get nightmares.. I hate clowns.

    Reply
    • Thomas says

      August 8, 2021 at 5:24 am

      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.

      Reply
  4. Cheryl Kelly says

    September 22, 2019 at 6:15 am

    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!

    Reply
  5. MarkCD says

    September 15, 2019 at 2:34 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • k says

      November 13, 2019 at 5:53 pm

      That is amazing.

      Reply
  6. Dallas says

    September 13, 2019 at 6:27 pm

    Ever since my brother made me watch IT I was terrified of clowns.

    Reply
  7. Justin Copple says

    September 11, 2019 at 2:06 am

    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).

    Reply
    • Sb says

      September 14, 2019 at 10:12 am

      This is weird but, I’m not scared of clowns anymore after watching IT by Stephen king chapter 1 and 2.

      Reply
      • Will Fourie says

        October 26, 2019 at 7:06 am

        Nice one!

        Reply
  8. rakem says

    September 10, 2019 at 4:37 pm

    The clown i know that was scary is pennywise and the clown gremlins.

    Reply
  9. Bethany says

    August 3, 2019 at 1:01 am

    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.

    Reply
    • sean says

      August 9, 2019 at 2:22 pm

      Same.

      Reply
    • Dallas says

      September 13, 2019 at 6:20 pm

      I can relate, I hate clowns!

      Reply
  10. bg says

    July 25, 2019 at 6:48 pm

    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.

    Reply
  11. Jonathan Friedman says

    July 16, 2019 at 2:51 pm

    I was kind of hoping it would be called bozophobia.

    Reply
  12. Kathy Marquez says

    April 24, 2019 at 6:50 am

    How do I get rid of this phobia? Without facing a clown?

    Reply
    • Justin Copple says

      September 11, 2019 at 2:00 am

      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.

      Reply
    • No says

      October 7, 2019 at 3:23 am

      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.

      Reply
  13. Sarah Mackie says

    February 16, 2019 at 2:31 am

    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

    Reply
  14. Kayleigh says

    January 28, 2018 at 4:22 pm

    My 5 year old sister has it . Do you know a way without a therapist we are poor.

    Reply
  15. cool guy says

    October 9, 2017 at 9:11 pm

    Clowns scare me

    Reply
    • smiley says

      July 17, 2019 at 6:29 am

      Me too.

      Reply
  16. 21 Savage says

    October 6, 2017 at 5:01 pm

    Clowns are ugly and crazy so if you see one run

    Reply
    • Bethany says

      August 3, 2019 at 1:02 am

      Agreed

      Reply
  17. mia says

    September 27, 2017 at 7:38 pm

    clowns are very scary

    Reply
    • Icie says

      October 29, 2018 at 7:11 pm

      Yes

      Reply
  18. zane says

    January 26, 2017 at 8:32 pm

    i have feared clowns from the second i saw one.

    Reply
    • camirah says

      October 30, 2017 at 2:50 pm

      thats why i fear clowns now because of it

      Reply
    • ricke911 says

      October 3, 2018 at 5:09 pm

      I only fear clowns that look scary but i hate mascots.

      Reply
  19. Mikane says

    December 31, 2016 at 2:36 am

    Is there a phobia of being scared that someone is Stalking you? If so, i have it.

    Reply
    • joeosborne73 says

      June 20, 2017 at 11:59 am

      Yup its called fight or flight, survival instinct.

      Reply
  20. Mallory says

    October 23, 2016 at 6:29 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Garland says

      March 28, 2018 at 6:19 pm

      same with me

      Reply
  21. Dylan says

    October 5, 2016 at 6:05 pm

    Clowns are really cool!

    Reply
    • Brian Wishnefsky says

      December 25, 2016 at 3:59 am

      Dylan you are correct!

      Reply
    • Jannah Vincent says

      January 15, 2017 at 3:09 am

      What do you mean ‘cool’?! CLOWNS ARE BEYOND TERRIFYING

      Reply
      • lolly says

        January 9, 2019 at 11:30 pm

        yes you are correct

        Reply
  22. Brian says

    August 26, 2016 at 2:01 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      September 5, 2017 at 7:48 pm

      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.

      Reply
  23. Marie keene says

    October 2, 2015 at 2:22 pm

    I hate clowns

    Reply
    • Lashanda says

      December 31, 2015 at 12:26 am

      I hate clowns too they will scare you.

      Reply
      • Brian Wishnefsky says

        December 25, 2016 at 3:16 am

        Then why are you on this Page with Scary Clown foto’s?

        Reply
    • MICHAEL HARLEY says

      October 27, 2017 at 6:21 pm

      THANK YOU

      Reply

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