It may sound unbelievable and ridiculous, or even absurd, but clown phobia is very real. Many people, children and adults alike, actually suffer from it. Also known as coulrophobia, this irrational and exaggerated anxiety about clowns is far from being an invention. Those who suffer from it feel truly shaken and traumatized at the sight or even the mere thought of a clown.

As with all phobias, manifestations are sudden, uncontrollable and unpleasant. They take the form of numerous physical and emotional symptoms: crying, screaming, sweating, accelerated heart rate, panic attacks…

What explains the clown phobia?

For a very long time, a clown has always had a comic role. In fact, he’s a circus character with a lot of make-up and a grotesque outfit, who performs amusing acts. He’s appreciated for his jokes, pranks and antics. Why is it, then, that some people are terribly frightened by these rather funny and likeable circus performers? Fear of clowns has many causes.

A FRIGHTENING APPEARANCE
The most common reason is the clown’s appearance and physiognomy. The image of the gentle joker doesn’t appeal to everyone, especially the very young. It’s precisely because of his appearance, overdone make-up, pale complexion and grimaces, that the clown inspires fear rather than confidence. What’s more, not knowing who’s behind the mask can cause anxiety and even panic in some people. We are often afraid of the unknown, and these individuals embody it perfectly.

EVIL REPUTATION
The second reason for clown phobia is the negative portrayal of clowns in popular culture. You’re probably familiar with the Joker from the Batman saga, Twisty from the American Horror Story series or the clown from the film adapted from the novel “It”. Clowns have come to embody Machiavellian individuals in cinema. This distorted image of the gentle prankster as murderer, psychopath and monster has contributed to the spread of this terrible fear in society.

What’s more, some people dress up as evil clowns to scare people in the streets. This tasteless joke has created a wave of panic that has only increased the number of phobics.

TRAUMA
Clown phobia can also be developed as a result of traumatic experiences. Psychologists believe it may originate in the childhood of some victims. A person may suffer from this fear if they have been exposed to a clown in unusual circumstances that have left a lasting impression on their mind. This may be the case, for example, if he or she has watched a film in which the clown is evil. In most cases, coulrophobia subsides as childhood passes. But it can persist into adulthood in some individuals.

Fortunately, a phobia of clowns doesn’t affect your daily life to the point of plunging you into chronic depression. But generally speaking, those who suffer from it prefer to stay away from funfairs and circuses. In the end, it does prevent you from having a fulfilling life. So it’s important to find ways of overcoming it.

4 therapeutic treatments to overcome fear of clowns

There are a multitude of phobias – cat phobia, spider phobia, driving phobia – and like them, the fear of clowns can be overcome. The best way to overcome a phobia is to recognize it and talk about it. There’s absolutely no need to feel ashamed or guilty about it. On the contrary, making it a taboo or hiding it is a sign of weakness. So if you have a phobia of clowns, it’s time to do something about it and make it go away forever. Various therapies can be considered. From cognitive behavioral therapy to hypnosis to virtual therapy, the treatment of this disorder involves confronting the patient with the object of his or her fear.

CBT FOR COULROPHOBIA
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the first solution recommended for sufferers of fear of clowns. It offers them the chance to confront their fears in a medically appropriate setting. The therapy is of course carried out in the presence of a psychotherapist, according to the patient’s abilities. On the plus side, 98% of symptoms disappear, since the treatment focuses on the panic reactions intrinsic to clown phobia. Cognitive behavioral therapy eliminates the stress, spasms and anxiety attacks that used to be part of the patient’s daily routine.

PSYCHOANALYSIS TO CURE FEAR OF CLOWNS
To get to the root of the problem, we sometimes recommend psychoanalysis sessions. Unlike CBT, which acts on the manifestations of the disorder, psychoanalysis tackles the root of the problem. Psychoanalysis works on the subconscious. It sheds light on what’s really going on inside you. This therapeutic method helps to resolve the inner conflicts at the root of the disorder. It also helps to repair past traumas that have found their way into the subconscious.

VIRTUAL REALITY THERAPY TO COMBAT CLOWN PHOBIA
Virtual therapy is a recent therapeutic method. It involves virtually confronting the patient with his or her phobia. Using a headset, the patient is immersed in an artificial world that highlights his or her fear in reality. The therapist monitors the onset and intensity of the phobic situation, helping you to gradually come to terms with it. Throughout the session, you’ll be interacting with 3D images. This will obviously be very difficult and unbearable at first. But little by little, your brain will get used to it, and you’ll be able to manage your emotions.

HYPNOSIS FOR OVERCOMING COULROPHOBIA
Therapeutic hypnosis is highly effective in treating problems such as clown phobia. Its aim is to plunge the patient into an altered state of consciousness in order to identify the origin of his or her anxiety about clowns. Thanks to hypnosis, you’ll feel less stressed, less anxious and much more self-confident. For greater effectiveness, the practitioner can give you tips on how to learn self-hypnosis to better manage crisis situations. The duration of hypnosis therapy to overcome fear of clowns varies from patient to patient. It all depends on the progress of the treatment, but normally does not last long.

How did you overcome your fear of clowns? We’d love to hear about your experience.