I have an intense fear of clowns. I actually can't believe that I'm writing about it, it's that intense. Not to mention, while I was googling "fear of clowns" to get the actual phobia name, I came across this FRIGHTENING photo that you see to the right. As I sit here and type this, my hands are shaking, my insides are tightening up, it's hard to breathe, and I can feel my blood pressure skyrocketing. All due to this bloody freaky clown!Coulrophobia is the scientific term for the FEAR OF CLOWNS. Another definition I've found is "an irrational or uncontrollable fear of clowns." In my very basic research of this phobia, there have a been a multitude of reasons why one would become fearful of the oh-so-cute and cuddly clown. One being "inconsistent parenting." My answer...THEY'RE CREEPY LOOKING! My mom tells me the story of when I was about two, she was holding me while at some type of fair of sorts. A clown came up to my mom, standing behind me and then tapped on my shoulder. BAD MOVE. I turned around to find that...that face...staring right at me. Mom says I freaked out. Who wouldn't!? HELLO! I grew older and seemed to grow out of my fear. I had a clown at a couple of my birthday parties and I even dressed up as one for Halloween. I don't know what triggered it again when I got older. But it has resurfaced. I fear clowns. A lot. I went to see Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey for the very first time a couple years ago while they were at Madison Square Garden. My friend was the Production Stage Manager at the time so we got an insiders look backstage. I warned my friend of this intense fear and said "No clown better come near me." Well, what do you know. We're walking backstage getting a tour of the elephants and such to only find a CLOWN WALKING TOWARDS US! I, of course, started to freak out and retreated behind my friend. I do have to admit the clown was very nice and introduced himself by his real name. He didn't do anything "clown-like". So I was able to keep my cool. But only for a brief moment....
Of course, the media has taken this phobia over the top. The original source of the phrase is The Simpsons episode Lisa's First Word. It depicts a flashback to Homer Simpson building his son Bart a clown bed to sleep in. However, thanks to Homer's questionable crafting skills, the clown has a highly menacing appearance, so rather than "laughing himself to sleep" as Homer intended, Bart stays up chanting "Can't sleep, clown'll eat me...Can't sleep, clown'll eat me..." He is so scared he even imagines it talking to him with the threat of "If you should die before you wake.. MWAHAHAHA!!" Bart is therefore suffering from coulrophobia (fear of clowns) as well as clinophobia (fear of going to bed) and phagophobia (fear of being eaten). (I found this little blurb on answer.com)
This has sparked a I HATE CLOWNS revolution. The key phrase is "Can't sleep Clowns will eat me!". This has ended up everything from t-shirts to mugs to diapers. It's cute how they try to kill the fear with laughter. I'm sorry, but who was the IDIOT that thought that would cure this fear! OH, HONEY! I DON'T THINK SO!
Ok, seriously. I have to end this post. My stomach hurts from all the "clown" photos I've come across. Wow, my phobia is hardcore. At least I'm admitting it. Just do me a favor...don't get me near anymore clowns....
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2 comments:
Okay, if that picture is anything like what you see when you see a clown, I sure as hell wouldn't call your feal "abnormal" or "illogical" and I'm about to develop a Coulrophobia of my own. Yikes!
There is a whole generation of people who have been tramatized by stupid, "mean, scarey" clown images. It is very sad and I think that a lot of it was intensified by the Stephen King book..."IT" People "Wake up"! Clowns are just people too! They like to have fun and enjoy being creative. Clowns are very humble people who dress up and let people laugh at them...They are NOT monsters.
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