Mirror phobia, called catoptrophobia, is the irrational and morbid fear of mirrors. Those who suffer from this specific phobia face an intense horror of seeing their own or any other person's image, or object, reflected in a mirror.

Commonly this phobia is related to superstitious and/or supernatural issues, which end up intensifying it. Thus, the phobic, in his irrational ideas, for example, may believe that the mirror can bind his fate or bring him bad luck. In this way, he believes that if he looks into a mirror, something bad will happen to him, as if it were a sentence.

Therefore, mirror phobia is a rare specific phobia that occurs in an individualized way, the causes of which depend on the phobic's personal characteristics and experiences.

Thus, catoptrophobia can be characterized when a person is afraid of his own reflected image in a mirror or also by cultural or supernatural beliefs about the mirror. In this sense, we bring in this article the meaning of the phobia and what are the main causes, symptoms, and treatments.

What is Catoptrophobia?

Catoptrophobia, or mirror phobia, is a specific type phobia, in which the person feels an intense and disproportionate fear of mirrors Those who suffer from a specific phobia understand that their fear is irrational and unfounded. However, they act out their aversion to the object or situation involuntarily, with intense anxiety or panic attacks.

However, who over de mirror phobia As a result, his routine is negatively affected in its various aspects, personal, social, and professional.

Causes of mirror phobia

As stated earlier, mirror phobia, in general, is caused by beliefs about the supernatural. Many believe that in the reflection of the mirror supernatural beings, such as ghosts, will appear.

It is also common for people to relate the mirror superstitious and cultural issues There are many superstitions associated with mirrors, which can easily result in phobias for those more anxious and prone to develop mirror phobia.

In addition, the causes of mirror phobia can stem from traumatic experiences, whereby the phobic's emotions and feelings are intensified by seeing his reflection in a mirror. This can be related to aspects of low self-esteem and lack of self-love.

For example, those who are overweight may have difficulty looking in the mirror, which, over time, can result in catoptrophobia.

Symptoms of catoptrophobia

The symptoms of mirror phobia can vary, according to the phobic's personal characteristics and life contexts However, below we will list the most common symptoms that occur in the midst of the phobic stimulus:

• increased heart rate;
• excessive sweating;
• difficulty in breathing;
• lack of a sense of reality;
• intense anxiety;
• agitation
• involuntary crying;
• panic attack.
• anguish.

However, it is worth emphasizing that it is not possible to diagnose a phobia with these symptoms alone. Therefore, if you show some of these symptoms when you are in front of a mirror, it is important to seek help from a mental health specialist to get an assertive diagnosis of whether it is a mirror phobia.

I am afraid of mirrors, what to do? Treatments for catoptrophobia

First of all, understand if the fear is a common fear, those instinctive fears for self-defense, such as fear of the dark on a deserted street, or fear of heights when standing on a cliff. If not, if it is an irrational fear of something or a situation, even if it does not present any danger, you may be suffering from a phobia.

Among the most recommended treatments for phobias is therapeutic treatment.

At therapy sessions it is possible to find better ways of healing In the most severe cases of phobia, allied to the therapeutic process, the use of medication, prescribed by a psychiatrist, may be necessary.

I want information to enroll in the Psychoanalysis Course .

Read Also: Brontophobia: phobia or fear of thunder

After all, what is a phobia?

Beforehand, know that the lines separating phobia, fear, and anxiety are blurred, and even specialists have difficulty in attributing solutions to each exposed case without a detailed and thorough diagnosis.

Fear is common to all people, they are part of our process of self-preservation of life. In other words, it is the way our brain responds when we are in a dangerous situation and need to react.

However, these fears go from common to phobic when their stimuli are hyperdimensional In other words, the fear becomes unreasonable and irrational, manifesting itself even though the person is not in any situation of imminent danger.

Thus, this phobia is characterized as a psychological disorder, because the person lives in a constant state of alert, living in a conditioned way to a certain thing or situation. As a result, the person starts leading a life in a constant state of anguish, anxiety, and terror. Thus, if not treated correctly, it can trigger several other mental disorders.

Therefore, if you suffer from mirror phobia, know that it is curable and, with proper treatment, you can get rid of this phobia and have quality of life. Accepting and confronting fears is a form of self-knowledge. Unfortunately, fear does not go away by itself, it needs to be confronted and postures need to be changed. So, if you are not managing to deal with your fears by yourself,It is paramount that you seek professional help.

Want to know more about phobias?

However, we cannot deny that the human mind is full of secrets. So, if you want to study more about the human psyche and how phobias develop, from a psychoanalytical point of view, get to know our Training Course in Clinical Psychoanalysis. In this course you will learn issues such as, for example:

• Improve Self-Knowledge: The experience of psychoanalysis, is able to provide the student and the patient/client with insights into themselves that would be virtually impossible to obtain on their own;

• Improve interpersonal relationships: Understanding how the mind works can lead to better relationships with family and work members. The course is a tool that helps the student to understand other people's thoughts, feelings, emotions, pains, desires, and motivations.

Finally, know that you can face your fears, no matter how big they may be. mirror phobia If the worst can happen, what solution, physical or spiritual, is there to overcome it? Reflect on this over and over again, it may help you in your healing process.

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