Fear of Clowns

For most, the circus is joy, sweet cotton and a lot of fun, but not all memories are exceptionally happy. Some of them have an inexplicable fear of clowns since childhood. Than this is caused, and that will help to cope with this unusual phobia, we now also will understand.

What is the name of fear of clowns and where does it come from?

Panic and uncontrollable fear of clowns is called a co-phobia. What is interesting is that this fear began to spread only at the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st century, and only a few previously feared the clowns. English scientists conducted research among 250 children aged 4-16 years, during which it was found out that more than half of them are afraid of clowns, and some are afraid. But this phobia is not only familiar to children, many adults are afraid of clowns. According to the poll conducted on the Internet, clowns are afraid of 84 people out of 100. Some even believe that if someone and laughs at the clowns, it is rather a nervous laugh, hiding tension.

But where did this fear come from, because jokes of clowns should cause smiles, and not grimaces of horror. Guilt can be unsuccessful visits to the circus in childhood, when too bright make-up or loud laughter scared the child . Also in the emergence of coprofobia can be guilty and cinematography. Almost everyone, even without knowing what the fear of clowns is called, was once afraid of these merry fellows. It's about all sorts of horror films, since the screen adaptation of the novel "It" by Stephen King, writers began to actively use the image of the clown to frighten the viewer. And we must not forget that many murderers, rapists and pedophiles were clowns by profession or occasionally moonlighting at fairs.

Of course, our compatriots were more fortunate, the Soviet clowns did not look intimidating and left a good impression. But this is when it comes to clowns of a global scale, but the professionalism of specialists from city circuses or holiday companies leaves much to be desired, they are quite capable of rewarding a child with a colerophobia.

In addition to objective reasons, there are completely subconscious.

1. The face under the mask does not give an opportunity to understand the true emotions of a person, since there is always a smile on it.
2. Many people are afraid to be ridiculed publicly, this fear is transferred to clowns.
3. Sharp movements and overly emotional expressions in ordinary life are typical of people with mental illness, and many are afraid of them.
4. Children's memories of a hike in the circus or seen a movie that leave a mark on life.
5. The presence of an allergy to make-up and paint, maybe not cause a phobia, but dislike will provide.
6. The actions of the clown are, as a rule, unpredictable, and people fear the unknown most of all.

How to cope with a colerophobia?

As with any fear, you can get rid of the clowns' fear. And it is necessary to do this, because to avoid constantly clowns and any mention of them is impossible. Cope with a serious phobia can only be with the help of a psychotherapist. But if the child appeared slight antipathy towards clowns, then you need to try to change this attitude, until it turns into panic fear. For this purpose, you can show him a good cartoon or a statement of really good clowns.

Going to the circus, you need to make sure that the professionals are performing, and their program is designed for viewers of all ages. Another good option may be changing one of the parents into a clown. In this outfit you need to communicate with the child to show him that behind a bright and frightening mask lies an ordinary person, intrepid and friendly.