Overcoming A Phobia Of Costume Characters (Masklophobia) I The Speakmans

The Speakmans visit Molly, an 11 year old girl with a phobia of costume characters and mascots. Molly's Mum is a zookeeper at a local wildlife park where Molly likes to help out, but Molly's fear is getting worse and worse as she gets older, and she's now completely terrified of the friendly zoo mascots. Can Nik and Eva help?
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[@yammybond6340]

I have this fear like if you do too

[@janettethehedgehog4022]

I never have fears of Mascots and I think Mascots are kinda fun to meet

[@joshkiefer8900]

Same I have this fear too

[@bussinbussin8982]

Ive defeated my fear of mascots

[@phanicatthetwentynediscoso7037]

I'm 13 and i have had this fear since i was a baby. I'm worried it will affect my future if i have kids (you know places like Disneyland and stuff). i also have anxiety and it goes through the roof when i see a person in a costume

[@joeynakajima9282]

Same

[@guavsnack]

Same

[@liledtto]

Me too since like baby to 10 I used to have nightmares of Chuck E. Cheese

[@kendallwoods7030]

I have this fear. U feel like I'm the only one in the world.

[@fauziagrande1888]

Kendall Woods me to and i always feel like im the only one scared

[@guava29]

same

[@hannahdaley879]

I wish there was a support group for it

[@3dkidsartfairs]

I am 21, and I do have a small fear of mascots. My fear is somewhat unique because I am ok seeing it online w/ the fursuiters and whatnot, and in WDW I am fine seeing the characters (both fur and faced) from afar, and during the parades. But I do have a comfort zone though, as sometimes my heart races and I start to get tense whenever I see a mascot or if a character gets to close for comfort. This used to be worse when I was younger, as I would look away. I am fine dressing up in costume for Halloween and whatnot though (I used to dread it when I was younger). Everyone's fear is different.

[@MsPedross]

3dkidsartfairs Im almost 22 years old and think i have a little bit of mascot phobia but i seek dont be afraid of them.

[@3dkidsartfairs]

Update: On December 16, 2016, I finally faced this fear once and for all during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party! All it took for me to face this fear was me trying to calm myself down (i.e. deep breathing and counting)! Was shaking with heart pounding before the meet and greet started, but I eventually calmed down and accepted them. Left me blushing for the REST of the party and most of the next day!

[@MsPedross]

So you dont have fear of mascots anymore?

[@3dkidsartfairs]

pedro henrique dos santos Not anymore! At least for now.

[@fauziagrande1888]

3dkidsartfairs i also have this fear but its big for me its probably the biggest fear i have and im not scared of snakes and what not but im horiffied of mascots kind of weird if u ask me

[@alishapannell5414]

I'm 24 and shit scared of mascots and people dressed bigger than me I can't even go to disney

[@janettethehedgehog4022]

I like Mascots at Disneyland and it's fun to meet them I don't have that type of fear

[@joshneville8254]

Alisha Pannell same

[@rebeccagraubart3251]

I have this fear

[@stephanielane3165]

same

[@MsPedross]

Rebecca Graubart I was makaphobic too

[@mitchdee4114]

Rebecca Graubart me too

[@dumbpanda2464]

lol

[@e-scorts7485]

Same

[@piinkz30]

I'm 35 and I'm STILL afraid of mascots!!!

[@piinkz30]

I can't even watch this!!!

[@tsuikyit5511]

I'm 15. This is y I never go to Disneyland hahaha

[@fauziagrande1888]

Kween Tiia MelanatedGoddess me to but im not 35 i had this fear since i was 1

[@justsandra73]

Tsuikyit yeah me too

[@stephensnell1379]

Don't be upset about it a phobia can stay with a person for their entire life

[@marthaandemxx8493]

I feel this pain I have masklophobia too I have had it since I was 3. At Gulliver's land Dora and Diego jumped out on me ( so I am told by my mum) they scare the freaking crap out of me. I have a panic attack and cry and feel sick and faint. Even better there is a trip i might be going on next year to Paris. This trip includes a whole day a Disney land... GREAT! My mum said she might get me to go to a therapist to talk to me and make me not scared any more.

[@fauziagrande1888]

Martha and em Xx i also had this fear since i was 1

[@cr7vsm10futbal3]

I also have masklophobia. I've had it since I was 3. I went to Chuck-E-Cheese's & was so excited. But when we walked in, The mascot greeted us, holding a big check. I wanted my mom to hold me for the rest of the party.

[@markyiagroves4643]

Same but the party was for me I jumped on like 5 tables to get away

[@kayleereneerinkenberger7063]

I was forced by my teacher to hug a mascot and i remember i was sweating so much and i was about to cry. My friends understood so they were trying to hide me from the mascot but I didnt want to get in trouble.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

it sounds like your teacher was the problem here and not the mascot.

[@stephensnell1379]

That's totally unkind

[@madisont.8293]

I FEEL FOR THIS KID SO MUCH In 6th grade I was on the Hollywood star walk (or whatever it's called) and a spongebob character started chasing me and harassing me. I love telling the story I think it's hilarious but it has caused an actual fear.

[@alicewy7031]

I had this fear until I was about 16, originating we think to when I was 2 and my older cousin went behind a Bush and came out the other side with a plastic mask on. After that the concept of someone's face changing, prosthetics, masks, mascots completely freaked me out. When I was 16 I forced myself to watch horror films, special effect makeup documentaries and now I'm more fascinated instead of frightened.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Amazing progress! Well done 👏🏻 However also consider that the changing face, makeup, mask etc wasn’t what scared you. It was actually your cousin ☺️if you see it that way that should also dissolve any fear. However, you’ve done that all by yourself and that is fantastic.

[@alicewy7031]

@@nikandevaspeakman thankyou so much!!! 😊❤

[@Ashicakez3]

I have this fear. It was worse when I was a kid because when you're a kid, mascots want to come up to you. I would also run away or beg my Mom for us to leave

[@gordonremsey8055]

Wow I think my little brother has this, he cries, screams, runs, begs, stiffens up, starts to mumble and moans. My parents think it's just common but he always does this. I'm finding things out everyday I might tell them about this. Very interesting. Then again I was similar when I was younger but that was like when I was 4 to 8 since them I'm ok with them, one day it just stopped

[@ethan-jaygladwell7200]

I have had this phobia my entire life, I will literally run and hide to get away from people dressed up. Just now, Santa drove by on a sleigh and I completely freaked out and started involuntarily shaking and crying. I'm 14 and it's so humiliating but I just can't control it...

[@syrinedelosbourne]

I’m 21 and I have this fear. They terrify the life out of me

[@miajennings25]

I'm scared of mascots terribly

[@fauziagrande1888]

Mia Lexie Jennings me to

[@__THRILLERAUDIO_]

Same

[@twilightozzylovelyrockocip8222]

I'm not necessarily afraid of mascots but sometimes I get creeped out by them.

[@___Benedetto]

Logan Cascio same as you

[@historicstudios2708]

I used to be terrified of them. Now I’m just kinda creeped out by them.

[@Sasawei]

Same

[@guavsnack]

I'm 12 and I'm terrified of mascots. That's how I react when I see mascots I cry and say I wanna go home or leave

[@libbyringland-cushway2991]

Omg that is exactly the same for me but for masks it gets so bad I can't even go in shops in October because of Halloween x

[@scoot7216]

Same!

[@valeriehernandez3728]

Sadly I can relate 👎😭

[@guava29]

Same! My birthday is around Halloween so shopping for decorations at Party City is a no go lol

[@antoniaheston9849]

I'm so scared of them and I'm going to Disney land with my school I'm so scared😢😨

[@stephensnell1379]

The thing in life is to for a person to face their phobia

[@EnCxree]

These blokes are magic I swear

[@gachaprincess1019]

FINALLY A PERSON WITH THE SAME FEAR😁

[@nikandevaspeakman]

It really is a very common fear.

[@randomchaos69]

I remember I didn’t have this fear for a long time then suddenly around 7 to 9 a mascot walked up, my sisters went up to it and gave it hugs and all that but I absolutely belted to the furthest bench and hid behind it 😩

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Masklophobia is a very common phobia that we deal with a lot.

[@lexyviann5465]

bro i'm 17 and had this fear all my life it's not going to go away by some quick hand movements and blinking sorry buddy

[@hollya2604]

Same....I had to go through four years of therapy.

[@ksmart1235]

I'm 17 too, but not necessarily afraid too. But I was since I was little....

[@Josh04]

I Remeber watching this about 5 years ago when I had the phobia I somehow just over came it now I’m almost 17 it’s weird I never did anything to cure it but I’m really happy because it affected a lot of things in my life that I could do

[@nikandevaspeakman]

That’s great news, well done on overcoming your phobia x

[@hannahs2803]

I can relate so much when the panic sets in and you just want to run... I have this because I don’t know who is in the costume but I don’t mind clowns a people with makeup on. So that to me is very weird!!

[@michaelforthriller]

i have this fear but with disney characters, especially mickey mouse, this fear started almost 10 years ago and i have no idea why. for example, seeing someone in a mickey mouse , goofy , or Donald costume would really creep me out. It's ridiculous i know.

[@humanity5020]

I had this phobia because when I was young, in the shopping centre my mom was putting me inside the shopping trolley and left me to buy a food but then all of a sudden there was a spongebob mascot who pulled the trolley and at that moment I thought that mascot was trying to kidnap me . Until now I was afraid of every mascot even a robot

[@bananasplit1721]

I have Masklophobia. When ever I see Chucky Cheese I hide under a table

[@blenderowl6495]

I think i developed this fear of mascots when i had a night terrors of toys coming to life to get me. And to me when i was little a mascot is a giant toy that could beat me up. I do feel discomfort when i hang around them

[@BrandoNoCaps]

I had a fear of mascots for years and I’m 15 and it will never go away

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Do subscribe to our channel, as we have tips for overcoming a mascot phobia coming very soon.

[@alyssahladish7637]

@@nikandevaspeakman I have this fear I cry and shake only when there close to me its only the one's I can't see there face

[@ethangladwell4067]

I suffer servilely from this phobia and in desperate help.

[@marthaandemxx8493]

Me too, some advice I will give you is that my mum is getting me to see a therapist so we can talk about it and I can get over my phobia.

[@fauziagrande1888]

Ethan Gladwell me to

[@fauziagrande1888]

but i know aint no therphasit gonna help me face my fear

[@ethan-jaygladwell7200]

Omg it's my old account, sorry Ethan buddy... but you've still got it...

[@anggartmont2667]

me tooo

[@kaykaywhite3256]

My fear

[@angelfan2009]

i have this fear as well. i've been afraid of people dressed up in costumes ever since i was a kid. the fear started before i went to kindergarten. my mom was registering me into kindergarten and i saw someone in a mascot costume and i freaked out and grab onto my mom leg and told her that i didn't want to go to school. im 29 years old and i still have this fear. now if i saw someone in a costume i would run.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Sounds like this could also be transference. You were already potentially a little scared and confused to this new environment and transferred some of your anxieties to the mascot. Therefore in essence inaccurately attributing blame for your anxieties to the mascot as opposed to first day at kindergarten. Do take a look around our channel, and subscribe as we have tips to help with phobias, fears and anxieties here, and we are adding new films every Monday and Thursday

[@godzilla964]

I remember crying hysterically at Chuck E Chesse's when I saw the mascot characters.

[@amberpiatt8890]

bro i have this EXACT memory

[@aliciajordan9888]

I'm 17 and I'm terrified of costumes I will run no matter where I'm at or how many people are around I will scream and run and sometimes cry. I don't know they just scare the crap out of me

[@ashtynx6075]

I have masklophobia, I just saw a costumed character and hid behind a bush and started crying

[@Nicole9wa]

I have the same fear. My parents think I souled just get over it. I can not. I feel like I am the only person who has it. This makes me feel so much better about myself

[@nikandevaspeakman]

What caused you to be frightened? You need to consider that and look back at it and put it in to context instead of how it felt.

[@anggartmont2667]

i have this fear and it’s so bad i can’t even finish the video

[@lauras.2046]

Everyone in this commentsection seem to have this fear. I don't have it. I have a costume myself and it's kind of sad to me, when someone is afraid of me. One time a girl was a bit afraid of me and she managed to calm down. At first I didn't realize that she was afraid of me and I came towards her and she started crying. Of course I stopped immediately. I felt so bad. I wanted to calm her down but I couldn't. A friend of mine was there as well and I asked him if he could help her to calm down.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

It is sad for anyone who has a fear, but you sound incredibly kind wanting to help 💞

[@railynjackson9938]

My family thinks it's a joke, but when I pass out the jokes on them.

[@lizzythememer6983]

im 14 and have always had a fear of mascots.. if you know the storm hockey game mascots (stormy/spike) they scare me so bad that if they are even 3 meters away from me i will run the other way. even looking at them scares me

[@arcticgeorgia8671]

I have this fear and I get huge anxiety attacks when I see them

[@katylaw8376]

I have this fear yesterday I was in Blackpool and one of them was chasing me which made it worse then when I was little there’s was on mascot and chased

[@jeffcase7827]

When I was younger I had not real a fear, but more of Awestruckness.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Yes that is quite common when little as we don't quite comprehend their shape etc as our only reference is a human form.

[@sashataylor-davies7807]

i used to love mascots when i was a kid when i met them at holiday parks or whatever but now can’t go anywhere near them without freaking out

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Any idea how that started? All phobias have an origin and it’s the best way to approach oncoming it.

[@miajennings25]

I can't go anywhere because I get so afraid

[@L-i-f-y-t]

I have that to

[@liifeeofniiyahtv2243]

I have a phobia of costumed animals too and I’m still scared🤣🤦🏽‍♀️

[@rfequestrian6267]

I've had this sunse I was 3 coz I went on Holliday and my dad said d u want a pic wiv dinosaur I said yes then coz my dad was holding me he gave me to the dinosaur and I started crying I think I'll show my mum this vid my brother and my best friend has it as well not as bad as me tho I'll run for miles or get up really high so they can't reach I scan every where even town.

[@fauziagrande1888]

All Fun Things me to i had this fear since i was 1 and im also scared of clowns and my bff also has the same fear of clowns and mascots but not alot with mascots

[@glamboi2318]

How can I get in contact with this people to help me

[@ThatonePizzamaker]

I have masklophobia. When i was younger i was usually at a place called leos lekland. Which translates to leos playground or something. Its a big playground where there are some food for when its lunch. And the rest of the day is just playing around in the big playground. When the mascot came i would usually hide until the music stopped playing. The only time i actually was close to him was when i was like 10 meters away from him. I looked at him and it looked like he looked into my soul and was gonna murder me. So i did what every kid would do. Run and hide

[@capybara6123]

I am so glad there is people who are scared of mascots cause I am too. I never tell people my family only knows. I am so glad :)

[@nikandevaspeakman]

It is such a common phobia that most often starts in childhood, so you are certainly not alone.

[@capybara6123]

@@nikandevaspeakman I am glad this is a common phobia because I always thought that there was no such thing as Masklophobia but now I know there is! And I am so happy that this girl could get over her phobia! Good for her :)

[@mikaylafriedman4685]

For me if there is a person that I cannot see any of there body parts I freak out

[@alyssahladish7637]

Same

[@mollyhutchison9013]

Well Done The Speakmans Well Done Molly

[@jahkiyachandler9898]

I have masklophobia. I'm scared of mascots and coustumed characters. I have had this fear since I was little. I just don't know why I'm so scared of mascots and coustumed characters.

[@garrettdarkstar2647]

I am 21, nearing 22. Been terrified since I was a boy. And I still am.

[@louiejonesponation]

I'm not scared of Mascots, but I can see why some people are scared lf them. What Molly said, they walk clumsy and are large.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

That is so true, they are clumsy!

[@xxhxney_glowxx7900]

I have this fear. Its terrifying. I was at my bff's birthday party, when a man in a teddy bear suit came out. When i tell you i ran, i say i ran like there was no tomorrow 😂 thats where it all started

[@nikandevaspeakman]

When we come across this phobia in our clinic, it often stems from a childhood birthday party when a costume character turns up unexpectedly. As a child, a teddy is small so to see a human sized one is scary.

[@fauziagrande1888]

I have had this fear since I was one year old

[@liifeeofniiyahtv2243]

I do the same exact thing 😭 when I went to DisneyWorld I was finna explode cause it was too many characters

[@Hihihimyfriends]

I have this fear but for me I only get scared of creepy characters killing me even though I know there not real and it’s not how they looks it’s the fact that most horror characters in games and stories are literally robot killing machines and tbh i like fnaf but I am just scared of them killing me so I’m confused am I scared of UN real characters or robots

[@zeinakantoush5116]

Whenever I see one I have a mental breakdown I also have that phobia and it feels like your the only one.

[@BeingBeaden]

When was young it was something I suffered very badly with however I found it started go when i went to comicon. Mostly because it's very postive atmosphere there which made me feel safer and there's so much going on it acts as a distraaction

[@AniyandChris]

im 16 and i still til this day have afear of mascots and people in costums. Ive had this fear since i was 2 years old, idk why i am afraid of them but they scare me and i don't think ill ever get over it.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

No one is born with a phobia, so it’s learned due to a life event most often in early childhood. The good news is that all phobias can be 100% overcome.

[@rfequestrian6267]

I have this

[@aestheticsimply1089]

In 11 years old and afraid of mascots at my old school the Adelaide crow mascot came to my school and i ran out the building and was asking if they were there.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Sorry to hear that, but we do have another film with tips to help.

[@tyshawnta24]

Same girl! I too have this fear!

[@jiminminij8022]

I have this fear and uh ..... I’ve been hired to be a mascot and be the person with the mascot

[@uhh6519]

I have this fear and my friends always drag me to Knott's or soon to universal studios

[@ayoisthatchris]

I used to have this phobia when i was 3 i got over it when i grew up like when i turned 5 or 4

[@cassiebrooks9417]

I’m 15 and still scared idk they just don’t sit right with me😭

[@redlaz3r326]

I also have masklophia and the sudden worry when you see one is horrible

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Sorry to hear that. This isn’t a fear we are born with so there has to be an origin (usually from childhood that this originates from). Be sure to subscribe to our channel as we’re adding new films with tips to help and do also take a look at the films that we already have as you should find there will be some tips and techniques to feel calmer.

[@Lucy-up3du]

Im nine and I have this two and there is this place where going to and I'm terrified course there's so many mascots there and I wish I could help myself but I cant and also I'm scared for my holiday too and yes I edited this two times but whenever I see one I cry or run but I don't care if there on like a stage but when they go of the stage I cry or run away

[@garryj7845]

Nice, I was searching "kids scared at disneyland" and this showed up.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Hope it helped.

[@ThatonePizzamaker]

I have a phobia for mascots and people in costumes that look like mascots. But halloween costumes that are actually made to scare people are not so scary as mascots

[@nikandevaspeakman]

All phobias have an origin, so this would suggest your phobias started specifically with a mascot. Take a look around our channel for films to help.

[@hintmintmsp9894]

I'm 10 and I have masklophobia since I was a little baby around 1

[@nikandevaspeakman]

You can get over this so don't lose hope x

[@fauziagrande1888]

HintMint Msp me to exactly the same!!twinses

[@ericarem121]

I have this fear at 17. it's getting worse as well

[@ericarem121]

This mechanism is completely false for most people. Most people are fine with mascots if they watch them get dressed in the costume..

[@finnsoldies1087]

I also have maskolophobia also I have had it scince I was 2.I get anxiety attacks when I see them.

[@janayes6872]

I know how you feel

[@finnsoldies1087]

I also do this and I go every to try to find a place to hide

[@rb._bleus]

i have the same fear.

[@sophiaperry3994]

OMGGG I thought i was the only one. I'm completely fucking terrified of mascots

[@kendallyoung4607]

People can't judge this so don't judge me pls|♡ it started when I was younger I was born 5 mins from Disney and we went every day... I was about nine at the time I saw stitch and was happy I ran to him so happily then it hit me I ran so fast 5 days later I went to a therapist for the day 7:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m talking then went to school and saw our panther mascot hugging kids that were scared I knew them then I went back to therapy for a hour we went back to Disney world and I saw stitch again and I was not scared of mascots then ♡| I am 23 and still have a little fear don't be ashamed for who you are God made you perfect and do feel ashamed of your fear and be happy to be you ♡♡♡♡😗😙😚☺🙂😁😀😋🙂😉😆😃

[@miajennings25]

How can I not be scared

[@vV0772]

I’m nearly 20 and I have a fear of mascots😭

[@nikandevaspeakman]

So common. We do have a film here on our channel to explain causes of phobias, so do please take a look, or better still subscribe if you haven't already, then follow the advice in our overcoming phobias film, and use our anxiety relief technique until you have dealt with the origin. Good luck sweetheart!

[@kayleereneerinkenberger7063]

I would DIE. I have to go to chuckee cheezes in two days.😁😬😬😬😬😬😬

[@fauziagrande1888]

ItsKayleeRenee my brothers birthday is gonna be there and i have masklophobia so i know i aint going there

[@hauntedchannel4409]

Am I the only one who does not have this fear? I was never scared of mascots. I could go anywhere but I never cry when I see mascots.

[@GumChewGames]

i learned i had this fear when i went to, chuck e chese's. when chuck e came to me, i got so scared i hid under the table. and i still have the fear. im 12 today but when i found out i had masklophobia i was 3

[@nikandevaspeakman]

That's such a common way of getting this fear a children that age don't know its not real and they struggle to process it which causes their fear. Whilst you were fearful, ask yourself, what happened? Did he attack you? Why should you be fearful? you now know its just an employee in a costume.

[@GumChewGames]

The Speakmans - The Worlds Leading Life Change Therapists yeah. It’s been 2 years and I’m now 14, I no longer have this fear. I found out I don’t have this fear when I went to universal studios last year. There was a mascot and I didn’t scream or run.

[@arcticgeorgia8671]

If I can’t see their skin then I get an anxiety attack and it has to be a lot of skin I have to see

[@biscuittinx9203]

My aunty found out the biggest problem at Disney land.... too much dresses up people

[@georgettelommen]

I'm 19 Oh Shit Holy! A little phobia and heart attack with Shivering legs lel. I have a Rare Masklophobia ha ha 😂

[@stfuyoutube423]

oh my god, it is freaking scary.

[@anthonykchandler5331]

I understand how she feels because I have this fear since I was little. I went to Disney World but I'm still very scared of Mickey Mouse.

[@mrswinterr8712]

I have this fear I think it's gone

[@hayliewilliams4210]

I have this and I try to get rid of it but I can’t

[@loncest1134]

I found out I had this fear once I went to Sesame Street place and took a picture with Elmo at 3

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Hope your fear has eased, and do take a look around our channel, and subscribe as we have tips to help with phobias, fears and anxieties here, and we are adding new films every Monday and Thursday

[@maulanwong3841]

I dont have masklophobia however I know a lot of people (even adults) have it

[@naatrh]

I cried watching this wtf