coulrophobia

[Doc]

The fear of clowns is known as coulrophobia. Phobias of specific objects are usually based on an association between the feared object and an unsettling experience. Another cause of coulrophobia is the fear of what is hidden underneath the make up worn by a clown. Observers cannot really see the face of a clown when it is made up. Therefore they cannot trust the facial expressions they observe.

Common treatment includes systematic desensitization or neurolinguistic programming. The anxiety producing element is paired with less threatening stimuli appears to be another successful treatment.:biggrinjester:

[Mcnowhere]

I've never been afraid of clowns but my kids were terrified of Santa and so were my Grandchildren. They howled their heads off when they were perched on his lap!

[Dera]

I once had a couple of clowns--think they were gifts. Whatever. I mentioned to my teenage son that I thought I would start a collection. He told me that he didn't like clowns. I hadn't ever known that, so I asked, "Why?" He said they made him feel sad instead of happy.

There are no clowns around my house except for me and Chauncey, the Yorkie Terror.http://www.jms101.btinternet.co.uk/full_sets/gold/circular_bold_std/clown.gif

[Project]

Clowns are creepy because they are masking their true face... however, I feel the same about shaven males and women with excessive makeup :)