How to Overcome Coulrophobia (Fear of Clowns)

Do you think clowns are cute and funny? Do you laugh at their red noses, puffy hair and floppy shoes and comical antics? Or do these colorful characters seem menacing and strange, inducing more fear than mirth? Many adults and children suffer from coulorophobia (fear of clowns), but fortunately, it is a treatable condition.

Instructions

• 1

  Attend self-help groups that allow you to talk about your fears with others. It helps to know that you aren't alone.

• 2

  Learn controlled breathing, which will help you relax and deal with feelings of panic. When you see or think of a clown, take a deep breath and hold it while you count to three, then exhale while you count to three.

• 3

  Practice tension control, which will help you relax tense muscles. Concentrate on each muscle group, and consciously relax them one at a time. Practice muscle relaxation until it becomes easier and more automatic. The next time you encounter a clown, employ these methods to help yourself remain calm.

• 4

  Practice desensitization, a gradual process that involves allowing yourself to be exposed to clowns a little at a time. Make a list of your fears, from safest to scariest, and begin exposing yourself to the safest. For example, try just thinking about a clown for a few seconds, and when that gets easier, gradually work up to the next thing on your list. Take your time, and if something is too frightening, back up a bit.

• 5

  See a therapist that specializes in cognitive therapy. This treatment method will help you change your negative thought patterns and is often helpful in conjunction with other techniques.

• 6

  Talk to your health care provider about medications that can help with extreme anxiety. Your doctor might recommend anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications or tranquilizers. These medications can often reduce the symptoms enough you will able to confront your fear of clowns enough to deal with it.