Why are clowns so frightening?

[vespaboy]

I cant understand it, I'm in my thirties and clowns still scare me! why?

Children are meant to laugh at them and basically they are a comic invention, so why do we not find them endearing?

[mycatis]

Because they are EVIL!!

[Octavius]

Have you not seen that Stephen King film? 

[woofgang]

I have never liked clowns and found them frightening as a child....iteresting that Terry Pratchett has a similar view

[georgit79]

even seeing that word written here is giving me the heebie jeebies.

[HAnn521]

therapy....... click here

[sod_the_m25]

Remember the clown in that superb film "Sleuth" (Michael Caine and Laurence Olivier).

[georgit79]

HAnn! That wasn't very nice....need to go for a walk to calm down now!

[HAnn521]

oops...sorry you don't like my therapy method georgit... my bad 

:0) 

[pompomfairy]

im scared of clowns to i think its because you can see the face behind the make up or mask or wotever they freak me right out i cant stand them they are scary

[shaz-rla]

I hate clowns and that horrid clown laughing in a box that used to be/still in Blackpool spooks me. I cant even look at it... It reminds me of the Stephen King novel and film IT.

[El D]

It's not clowns that frighten you, it's what you have attached i.e. the link you make between clowns and what causes your fear.

Simple mental techniques should deal with it effectively if you actually want to stop being scared of clowns.

[KittyGlitter]

I know why I hate clowns. Because they always impose themselves on people, forcing poor little children to join in, they wear scary clothes and make-up - they simply are spawn of Satan. I'm also scared of people dressed up as Father Christmas and people dressed up in animal suits. They always seem to approach me. I just want to be left alone!

[cherrybomb]

I remember when I was very young and I used to creep into my mum and dad's bed in the night. When a car went passed the headlights lit up the roses on the curtains and they looked like an evil laughing clown face. I can remember having to peep because I felt safe but I was also scared.  

[pixi]

hi vespaboy, i dont like clowns either or dolls, they really give me the creeps.  Even those silly clown faces that people hang on their walls freak me out, but i have no idea why

[Octavius]

Coulrophobia is quite common, I don't have it myself, but it is possible that yousee some sort of menace behind thee mask (as mentioned above).  In reality (don't click if clowns scare you) you see something like this:  scaryclowns

But there is help (safe for coulrophobics): phobiafearrelease

[andizuki1982]

I agree! Clowns are freaky! Best if you don`t buy the sad clown painting that invokes depression and madness. Also don`t read about John Wayne Gacey the mad American clown at childrens parties who butchered 33 boys in the 70`s. Why can`t they be like Krusty off the simpsons!