Coulrophobia – Fear of Clowns 

Clowns have been used as a subject of fear in many movies and literature for years like Pennywise in IT and real life John Wayne Gacy (killer clown). Heavy make-ups and catchy costumes conceal their true facial emotions, thus preventing us to read and predict their actual intention. Clowns have often been portrayed as emotionally conflicted i.e. displaying a false image of happiness to audience while hiding great pain within themselves.  The very idea of being mocked at or ridiculed in public (although in the name of good humour) can be traumatizing for many. Generally children are widely known to dislike clowns due to their unfamiliar body types and make-ups. This can be very serious if the child is not accustomed with the reality behind a clown’s mask. Due to these phobias, you avoid certain places, situations, people, objects etc. The “Fight or Flight” response is something that is inborn, embedded in our bodies. We either prepare to fight against the perceived threat or we flee i.e. run away from it.    But escapism cannot be a solution always. There are therapies and medicines available but these cannot help in the long run. We must be strong and determined in fighting this irrationality. Again I say, the only thing you need to fear is fear itself!!!!!