Halloween terror is all too real for wife with mask phobia
A WOMAN has revealed that, each year, a crippling fear of Halloween leaves her a virtual recluse.
Catherine Blackmore suffers from Samhainophobia, a rare debilitating condition named after Samhain – pronounced “sow-en” – the ancient pagan rite of “summer’s end” and the tradition which we now celebrate on October 31.
The 43-year-old mum of two has also been diagnosed with Masklophobia, a fear of people in masks and costumes.
Catherine’s problem escalates around this time of year to the extent that she feels overcome with anxiety and dread, so much so that she vomits and is unable to leave the house.
“Come the end of August, just as everyone else is winding down from summer, I start to feel on my guard,” she says.
“I know I only have a limited time before things start to change – for instance, as soon as the stores begin stocking Halloween items such as masks, costumes and decorations I know I can no longer go into town.
“I imagine the spooky stuff coming to life at the supermarket and following me around the aisles, and I’ve wound myself up about it before to the extent that I was physically sick.
“So, basically, I become a shut-in and my husband, Steven, is left having to do all the weekly chores, like food shopping.”
Although only officially diagnosed in 2009, Catherine says her problem first began as a young girl when she accidentally caught a glimpse of the classic 1978 slasher film Halloween on the family TV.
“I must have been about four or five when I saw it and the guy in the mask absolutely terrified me, and I still have to be careful what I watch today,” she says, admitting that the experience set in motion something that would follow her throughout her entire life.
“One time I was working in an office and walked in one day to find the whole place covered in Halloween decorations and all the staff wearing masks.
“I ended up hiding in the bathroom, I got into such a state. And, when I got home, Steven took me to the doctor because I was that freaked out.”
Eventually diagnosed as having a phobia, Catherine says she’s found getting treatment difficult.
“It’s a nightmare, to be honest, because a lot of people don’t accept that it’s a real thing.
“I’ve tried counselling but my fears are too deep, too locked in to be helped, and there’s no medication anyone can prescribe me.”
Catherine adds that although her two daughters are now grown up, handling Halloween when they were younger was almost impossible.
“Steven would have to take them out trick or treating and, even then, they’d have to get in and out of their costumes at a friend’s house, or I’d lock myself away while they changed.”
Now working as a self-employed English teacher, Catherine has selfpublished a thriller novel called Can’t You Just Get Over It? in an attempt to deal with her issues.
“I’ve been writing as a hobby for 10 years, but the book took three years from start to finish,” she says.
“The character in the story battles with the same phobia as me, so writing it was painful at times.
“But it pushed me to complete it and I hope that it might help anyone out there who’s struggling with similar problems.”