We’re all aware of various phobias which affect people.  Some people are frightened by dogs, snakes, height, crowds or small enclosures.   There is plenty reported about these phobias, and they common themes in literature, drama and movies.  I can identify with a couple of them and you may also.

But when I stumbled across the word metamfiezomaiophobia [met-am-FEEZ-oh-my-oh-FO-bee-ah] I had to stop and spend some time with it.  It, too, is a phobia attributed to people who are deathly afraid of clowns, mimes, and people in disguise of any kind.    I’ve heard of it before, but I have never seen the long, interesting word that is used to describe the phobia.  I was surprised when researching it to discover that it is one of the most common phobias.  Evidently people don’t talk about it much, as it seems to be such a bizarre behavior.

Technically, the fear of clowns is called coulrophobia.  Metamfiezomaiophobia is more specifically related to mimes.  But it is also a term used in a more generic way to describe the phobia in which fear of people in masks of any kind is prevalent.  To be clear, a phobia is not simply a nervousness about seeing or being near something.  It is a far more serious psychological phenomenon which is an actual illness.

“Identifying a phobia is fairly simple. A person feels an intense fear of an object, in this case clowns, that goes beyond mere anxiety or unease. The sufferer may exhibit symptoms such as shaking, sweating, and rapid heartbeat. The person’s anxiety can become so intense, he or she has a panic attack. This reaction serves to reinforce the fear and the person avoids the situation to prevent further anxiety or panic attacks from occurring. ” (see WiseGeek)

It is hard to identify the precipitating cause of the phobia related to mimes or clowns or people in mask.  One factor is the practice of not speaking.  Mimes and clowns by practice are mute, and therefore may seem to invade someone’s space in order to communicate with their eyes, facial expression, or gestures.  Not knowing who is behind the facepaint or the mask may increase one’s fear.  But it is far deeper than that for the person with a phobia.  Even seeing masked persons from a distance can excite the same negative energy.

Despite the fact that clowns are usually associated with fun and laughter, as in a circus setting, there is also something dark and foreboding about a clown, as in the Batman movies.  Clown faces hide devious characters who are evil.   And mimes are somewhat a category of voyeurs, “spying” on people without interacting in a seemingly healthy way.   But attempting to analyze the nature of the phobia (as an amateur in the field) is probably not a good idea.  I should leave that to psychiatrists and other therapists.    The fact of the matter is that these characters induce irrational fear.

People who suffer from metamfiezomaiophobia may have similar reactions to people who are wearing simple masks.  I was watching a news report the other day about thieves who robbed a convenience store wearing those clear plastic masks that distort the features of one’s face giving them a disguise without actually covering their faces.  I have to admit that it was spooky.   While masquerade balls feature elegant people either wearing or carrying elegant masks, there is something about the need to disguise one’s identity that is “off.”

My question for a psychiatrist would be whether this term applies to someone who isn’t wearing a physical mask, but who adopts a persona which covers (his) true  identity.   Interesting thought.

Photo Credit: daily tabloid

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