Coulrophobia is the irrational fear of clowns. People experience extreme cases of anxiety, a racing heart, nausea, and profuse sweating. Most people can avoid clowns. Some need exposure therapy, a type of psychotherapy, to help manage their reactions to clowns and clown images.

There is supposedly nothing to be afraid of but what if there is something instinctual about our fear of those in the brightly colored clothes and face paint. Perhaps it is a survival instinct meant to protect us from something darker.

The related urban legend of evil clown sightings in real life is known as "phantom clowns". First reported in 1981 in Brookline, Massachusetts, children said that men dressed up as clowns had attempted to lure them into a van. The panic spread throughout the US in the Midwest and Northeast.

Join Gary and GoldieAnn as they take another trip Within The Mist to discuss the origin of clowns and some of the terrifying cases that suggest that there are some evil clowns out there in the shadows and woods tonight.

Within the Mist has been nominated for the Best Fortean category at the second annual Paranormality Magazine awards. You can support the show by visiting the link provided and casting your vote.   https://paranormalitymag.com/2022-paranormality-podcast-awards-voting/?fbclid=IwAR0qJfA-gRFBnn5dgE724P7bkMmTh_gF2RZsPX1Lepf-6oGfpBfchOTmQpw

Loren Coleman's Mysterious America: https://www.amazon.com/Mysterious-America-Strangest-Creepiest-Creatures/dp/1416527362

Benjamin Radford's Bad Clowns: https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Clowns-Benjamin-Radford/dp/0826356664

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