Absolutely no doubt exists that many, many, people have a fear of clowns. Why is that the case? Is there anything that can be done about it? Can it be cured?
Experts don’t agree on the cause and cures are equally open for debate.
Clowns visit hospitals with the aim of bringing cheer to sick children. The clowns have learned to wait outside the doorway in order to first judge if the clown is welcome.
Well-known celebrities have “no clown” clauses inserted into their concert contracts. Even Bart Simpson is famous for this line. “Can’t sleep. Clown will eat me”.
Why Do So Many People Fear Clowns?
Two main theories exist as to why people fear clowns. (Also referred to as a phobia, “Coulrophobia”)
The first theory holds that the fear may fear may stem from a negative or frightening experience with a clown at an early age, usually before age 7.
The second and more likely theory holds that fear may develop from the abundance of negative hype eagerly provided by scary clowns portrayed in movies, TV, books, and other media.
Neither of these theories alone seem to answer the question. Other experts believe that many people simply fear anything that is different from normal in some confusing or unfamiliar way. Clowns definitely fit that description. Many children fear Santa Claus,The Easter Bunny and even their own mother if she is wearing cake makeup.
Movies depict clowns as objects of horror on a regular basis. Friday The 13th, Scream, Nightmare On Elm Street, Saw and Halloween are excellent examples.
Despite research on the subject, no consensus exists for a cause. although general agreement that fear of clowns exists in as many as 1 in 7 people.
Can Fear of Clowns Be Cured?
Any number of therapies are available. How well they work is open to question.
The Internet is rife with offers of cures and treatments. Some even suggest seeking help from God.
Phobia (irrational fear) medications are costly and really only address the symptoms, and not the underlying problem.
Behavior Therapy is available for attempts to patients to become slowly more familiar with clowns and thereby show that fear is unwarranted and unrealistic.
Hypnotherapy is also an option.
Summary
In the end, a conservative approach is probably best. Schedule a consultation with a licensed medical doctor, preferably on who knows you well. Share your concerns, listen carefully to options the doctor sets forth, and cautiously heed the advice offered.