Defining the fear – the fear or mirrors (also known as Eisoptrophia or Catoptrophobia) refers to an abnormal, constant and debilitating fear of mirrors. The phobia sufferer experiences severe, undue anxiety and stress when near mirrors or reflective objects or surfaces. The person realizes the fear is irrational and generally ungrounded.
Symptoms- Persons who suffer from the phobia are likely to experience panic attacks, sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, numbness, trembling, shaking and heart palpitations. Individuals symptoms may vary depending upon the severity of the fear and anxiety.
Causes- The fear is often caused by old-wives tales, traditions, superstitions or even the media in the form of books or movies. Probably the best known superstitions in the world is the belief that you will suffer seven years back luck if you break a mirror.
When should treatment be considered?- You should seriously consider treatment in the form of therapy when the phobia causes panic, anxiety and fear leading to interference with normal daily routines and activities, certain people, places or situations are avoided because of the fear and once you’ve suffered for more than 6 months from the fear. There is absolutely no need to suffer alone. Millions of people suffer from different types of phobia’s. You are not going crazy.
Treatments- The list of effective treatments for the phobia are endless. You can practice a few self-help tips like learning about the thing or event that scares you so terribly. The more you understand the problem and the cause the more likely you are to overcome it. Another super self-help tip is to face your fear, but only is small doses until you feel comfortable enough to go for the real, full sized thing. As you get more comfortable with the object or event, you will realize that there is no immediate, actual danger.
