Halloween is tomorrow, and it got me thinking about fears. What really scares me these days, as a full-fledged adult? In terms of phobias, I’m a little claustrophobic and heights make me woozy. But factor out those minor phobias and the big-time fears of mortality and pain - I’m talking more about the things that creep me out, that give me shivers. You know, the fun kind of fright many of us like to enjoy around October 31st each year?
For some people, clowns tickle their terror bone. I know I get goosebumps when I encounter a clown. Kramer from Seinfeld and Johnny Depp are two noted coulrophobics, suffering from an “abnormal or exaggerated fear of clowns”. And coulrophobics may need to cover their eyes tomorrow, since Heath Ledger’s terrifying, psychotic clown, The Joker from The Dark Knight, promises to be one of the most popular costumes this year.
The Joker and other “evil clowns” aside, what is it about the benevolent, cheerful, Bozo-type clowns that spooks some of us so badly? Is it the sometimes ghostly, ghoulish, or garish makeup? Is it the incessant, exaggerated mirth? I’ve read about how phobias may be triggered by traumatic events, so maybe the over-the-top antics and in-your-face craziness of clowns left a lasting impression on some of us as kids.
Any ideas? What are you afraid of? Do you suffer from the #1 most common fear? Share your creep-outs in the comments below!
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On top of fear of heights and minor claustrophobia, old porcelain dolls with long eyelashes creep me out. My grandmother had a few and they looked like they were ready to come to life. Yikes!
ohh! Yikes! The movie “It” didn’t help either. Creepy clowns.
I have this horrible phobia of being buried alive. I am the type of person that needs to be in control of all situations at all times, so to be trapped would just send me over the edge. Cremation for me when my time comes.
Spiders, flying insects…and creepy clowns too!
Simple masks really disturb me. I’m talking something like Michael Myers or the killers in The Strangers. I was looking at a collection of photos of old Halloween costumes and I found them frightening. Lots of homemade paper mache masks. I’m also not of fan of clowns or birds (with their evil little eyes) either.
I had a phobia of spiders; I’ve largely gotten over it, but I still have an instinctual creeped-out-ness from them. I also had a fear of deep water and a fear of the dark, and I’ve largely conquered those, too. One should always confront fears rather than giving in to them.
On the other hand, I’m not afraid of public speaking or public performance. It gets the adrenaline going, sure, but I love doing it.
Getting stuck in an elevator and no one knowing!
Al - I agree! Masks are really creepy. In the robbery scene of The Dark Knight when the Joker wore that mask … yeeee-ikes! And then there’s the bunny mask in Donnie Darko. Creepers.