Fear of Looking at Yourself in the Mirror: Symptoms and Effective Treatment


It is quite difficult for modern man to imagine that some people have no mirrors in the house. And probably no less hard to imagine that someone can faced with an uncontrollable panic at the mere sight on the subject. However, such situation may occur. Fear of looking at yourself in the mirror is called Eisoptrophobia.

What Can Cause Fear of Looking at Yourself in the Mirror?

There may be several reasons for this fear:

  • fear of looking at your reflection in the mirrorPopular superstition. Some individuals are firmly convinced that certain objects or situations possess supernatural powers. Occasionally belief in various signs so deeply seizes the human mind that it develops an irrational fear. So, some individuals believe that on the other side of the mirror inhabited by dark forces (witches, demons). They can harm or even pick up in their own world. Particularly strong fear among the superstitious people seen at night.
  • Low self-esteem. At times, people who consider themselves ugly and inferior, prefer not to see their reflection at all. As soon as they come up to the mirror, it instantly spoils their mood, depressing and unnerving them. Usually such people avoid not only mirrors, but also any other objects in which they can see their reflection.
  • Sexual dysfunction. In men, for example, the lack of an erection can evoke fear to look at themselves in the mirror to cause the development of aversion to their own body. The result of this becomes reluctance to see themselves in the mirror or in photo.
  • Fear of exhibitionism. Sometimes sitting deep in the subconscious desire to undress in front of people leads to the fact that people start to view their naked body in front of a mirror. At the same time, they understand that their desire is inadequate. Subsequently, the shame of your thoughts and forces them to get round the subject.
  • Traumatic experience. In an adult, the fear of seeing yourself in a mirror can develop because of fears from childhood. For example, it seemed to the child that instead of his own mirror reflection a terrible monster or ghost was looking at him. Such children’s fears can leave a deep imprint on the psyche.
The cause of phobias can also be one or other serious defects in appearance, especially if the changes occurred suddenly (for example, as a result of an accident).

The List of Symptoms and Methods of Treatment

fear of looking at you in the mirrorThe main behavioral symptom of a person suffering from this phobia is to avoid places where there may be mirrors. At home, such individuals prefer not to have this item at all; in some cases, they cover the mirror with a cloth, cover it with paper. It is difficult to imagine that a person can do without such a necessary object, but severe phobias can change a person’s behavior beyond recognition. As a rule, the physiological signs of fear include pressure surges, tachycardia, respiratory disorders, a feeling of coma in the throat, various problems with sleep, trembling in the body, panic attacks.

If fear cannot be overcome by your own efforts, it is recommended to immediately contact a psychotherapist. Both individual and group work is useful. By attending group sessions, the patient has the opportunity to see that many people experience similar problems, and it becomes easier for him to fight fear. In the course of psychotherapeutic work, the patient will be taught how to react correctly to certain undesirable manifestations, as well as lead to an understanding of the true cause of fear. The main methods when working with fear to look at yourself in the mirror can be:

  1. fear of looking in the mirrorcognitive behavioral techniques;
  2. psychoanalysis;
  3. NLP;
  4. hypnosis;
  5. gestalt therapy;
  6. autogenic training.

Drugs are prescribed in the event that the “mirror” fear is accompanied by acute panic attacks, when the patient is unable to control himself, or severe depression.

It should be noted that the uncontrolled intake of drugs of strong action is strictly prohibited. On your own, you can only use light sedatives based on medicinal herbs.

Fear of looking at yourself in the mirror is a disorder that requires full, timely treatment. Only irrational psychotherapists can cope with irrational fears that are complicated by many unpleasant manifestations.

Do not be afraid to tell your doctor about your symptoms or postpone the solution to the problem for later – highly skilled psychotherapists are familiar with a wide variety of phobias, and any such specialist will make every effort to return the patient’s psychological well-being.


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