What is “Coulrophobia”?

It is the irrational fear of Clowns.

Since it is not an old phobia, but one that has increased in recent decades, little is known about coulrophobia.

Scientists and doctors now agree that it is a result of not knowing who lies behind the excessive makeup, red nose and hair color.

Some researchers believe that coulrophobia cases increased after the 1990s, when Steven Spielberg classic horror film “IT” depicting a murderous clown was released.

Social implications

The phobia can cause a state of panic, difficulty in breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea and feelings of fear.

Coulrphobia may seem absurd for some, however, many people suffer so much, that it prevents them from eating a hamburger in that famous fast food chain.

It is not a trivial matter either and coulrophobia shouldn’t be treated lightly.

Although the fear of clowns develops most of the time during childhood, when children are very sensitive to an unfamiliar face, it is also prevalent amongst adults.

My Pathetic Story:

I have had Coulrophobia since being a child when my Dad took me to a small Aussie circus behind the Maid of Auckland Hotel on South Road, Edwardstown in South Australia.

It would have been in the mid 1950s.

Apart from falling down between those horrid walk boards while I was trying to find my seat I was terrorised by an evil looking Clown with a stick and a rubber horn. He scared me shitless.

He barked like a dog and I was so terrified that I screamed like a little girlie and ran away and have been mortified by Clowns ever since.

Being shoved out the front of the crowd at John Martin’s Christmas Pageant and having poorly made up clowns blowing trumpets and poking balloons in my face didn’t help either.

At least they could have offered some hard boiled sweets.

People thought I was joking when I couldn’t bear to watch “Bozo” or was it “Bobo” the Clown on Channel 9 Kid’s Television in the late 1950s in Adelaide?

It’s all true you know and strangely enough my nine year old grandson Seamus is now a sufferer.

Am I responsible for that?

Rod Parham