Everyone experiences a fear of something at some time in
their lives. Fear is natural, but sometimes it becomes irrational and develops
into a phobia. A phobia is a strong, persistent fear of situations, objects,
activities or persons. The main symptom is an excessive a
nd unreasonable desire to
avoid the feared subject. One particular phobia affects as many as one in seven
people. Coulrophobia, the fear of clowns, is clinically known.
Coulrophobia is the official name for the fear of clowns. This condition is one
of the most remarked-upon phobias on the Internet. Coulrophobia was coined
during the 1990's and is based on the Greek word Koulon or limb. Related
derivatives are suggestive of stilts and stilt walking. For example the Greek
word Kolobathristes means one who goes on stilts. Clowns are often known to
walk on stilts and so this how the relationship developed and the word
Coulrophobia was made.
Those who suffer from Coulrophobia, do so, for many
reasons. The most fear-inducing aspects of clowns is the heavy make-up that is
accompanied by the big red nose and different color hair. These things
completely conceal the identity of the wearer. It is also possible that the
costume conceals a darker personality. Although clowns are known for being
happy and creating a fun atmosphere, Coulrophobes tend to fear who the clown is
as a real person.
Another reason for fearing clowns, is the clowns ability to act outside social
boundaries. Clowns have been around for thousands of years and they serve an
unique role in many societies. In Egypt and China as early as 1800 B.C. Court
Jesters were allowed to mock and criticize Kings when no one else was allowed
to. They can get in your face and squirt you with water and generally make fun
of you without suffering any consequences. It is because of this that some
people feel uncomfortable in the presence of a clown.
Coulrophobia is most commonly triggered by a traumatic experience during
childhood. Authors and Screenwriters also play a role in the fear of clowns by
portraying clowns as evil. Stephen King did this best in his novel “IT”, which
is now also a movie. Stephen King's starring character is an evil clown who is
called Pennywise. Pennywise harasses and kills young children. Not only is the
clown evil, but it is very unattractive with sharp, yellowed teeth. The movie
Poltergeist also did a good job in portraying an evil clown. The clown comes to
life and attempts to strangle a young boy. Try getting that out of your head
while you’re at the circus surrounded by clowns. One other fictional evil clown
is the Joker, Batman's clown-like nemesis.
Fictional evil clowns are one thing, but it's the real-life evil clowns that
create the worst images for Coulrophobes. John Wayne Gacy was convicted in 1978
for sexually abusing and murdering thirty-three young men and boys. During the
time he was doing these horrible acts, he was performing as “Pogo” or “Patches”
at children's parties and also at hospitals. Gacy's favorite oil painting
subject, while on death row, was also clowns.
Phobia symptoms include shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, sweating,
nausea, and an overall feeling of dread. Phobias are the most common form of
anxiety disorders. It is estimated that between 8.7% and 18.1% of Americans
suffer from phobias. So whether you experience Coulrophobia or one of the many
other phobias, you are not alone.
Antefamaphobia is the abnormal and persistent fear of
people talking about you, but stopped after you walked into the room. I’m
sure most people have been through this before.
It’s uncomfortable and awkward and leaves you feeling a little empty
inside. Considering I’m a socially
awkward and highly emotional kind of person I can see how this could become a
phobia. 
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