Do clowns make your skin crawl?
You're far from alone. Fear of clowns is common, and it can make parties, circuses and Halloween hard. This free check helps you understand how much it's affecting you.
Does any of this sound like you?
- You avoid parties, fairs or circuses in case there's a clown
- Painted faces or masks make you uneasy
- Halloween is a time of year you dread
Fear or phobia?
Everyone is afraid of something. A fear becomes a phobia when it's much bigger than the danger, it doesn't go away, and it starts to shape your life: the plans you make, the places you avoid, the things you miss.
Phobias are also one of the most treatable problems there are. Most people who finish a course of exposure-based therapy recover, working step by step at a pace they agree.
What you'll be asked
What is it about clowns that you find hard?
- Painted faces
- Not seeing the real face
- Not knowing what they'll do
- One coming up close
- Loud noises or honking
- Clowns in films
Which situations do you find hard, and how hard is each one?
- A picture of a clown
- A clown toy or decoration
- People in masks
- Halloween costumes
- A children's party with an entertainer
- A funfair
- A circus
- A clown coming towards me
Six quick questions about the last month
- How much does this affect your day-to-day life?
- How much do you avoid places, plans or situations because of it?
- How much does it affect your work, studies or caring for others?
- How much does it affect your social life, relationships or family?
- How much does it stop you doing things you want to do?
- How much distress do you feel when you think about seeing a clown?
What you get at the end
Your result and what it means for everyday life, plus a starting ladder built from your own answers: the steps, easiest first, a therapist would use to help you. It's saved to a free Rephobia account, so you can come back, retake the check and see what changes.
Common questions
- Is this a diagnosis?
- No. It is a free self-check to help you understand how much this affects your life. Only a qualified professional can assess you properly.
- Will I be shown pictures or videos?
- No. The check uses words only.
- Why do you ask for my email?
- Your results are saved to a free account, so you can come back to them, retake the check and see what has changed. You confirm your email with a code, then choose a password.
- Who can see my answers?
- You can. Rephobia keeps them to show you your results. Nothing is shared with a therapist unless you choose to send a request, and nothing is sold or used for advertising.
- How long does it take?
- About three minutes.