Phobias Types Spectrophobia: How to Overcome the Fear of Mirrors By Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 22, 2023 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Daniel B. Block, MD Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Emily Swaim Fact checked by Emily Swaim Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell. Learn about our editorial process Print Boy_Anupong / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms of Spectrophobia How Is Spectrophobia Diagnosed? Causes of Spectrophobia Types of Spectrophobia How Is Spectrophobia Treated? Coping With Spectrophobia Spectrophobia, a type of anxiety disorder classified as a specific phobia, is the fear of mirrors and/or the fear of what may be reflected in them. It may also be referred to as eisoptrophobia or catoptrophobia. Individuals with spectrophobia may be extremely fearful of their own reflection, of the mirror itself, or of ghosts appearing in mirrors. This condition is very rare, but it can also be quite serious. Like other phobias, spectrophobia can disrupt all aspects of an individual's life and lead to avoidance behaviors. Experiencing symptoms of spectrophobia can be incredibly debilitating and can impact one's overall quality of life. Symptoms of Spectrophobia Symptoms of spectrophobia will vary depending on the individual, but may include the following: An individual may experience anxiety and/or fear symptoms (such as shaking, sweating, increased heart rate, and panic) when they encounter or think about mirrors or reflections. The fear is out of proportion given the socio-cultural context. The person may engage in avoidance behaviors. An individual may experience significant distress and disruption to their life because of the fear of mirrors or reflections. For a diagnosis of specific phobia, the symptoms must be present for at least six months and cannot be better explained by another medical condition or mental health disorder. It is important to note that individuals who experience spectrophobia may also have a comorbid diagnosis, which may include panic disorder. Both specific phobias and panic disorder are classified as anxiety disorders, and despite some overlapping symptoms, they are distinctly different diagnoses. When to Seek Help Experiencing spectrophobia can be incredibly scary. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or you are having difficulty with acts of daily living, reach out for help immediately. Call 911 if you are in a life-threatening situation, and consider contacting a mental health professional or SAMHSA for ongoing treatment and support. How Is Spectrophobia Diagnosed? A specific phobia may be diagnosed by your doctor or a mental health professional using the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5). The DSM-5 details the specific diagnostic criteria that must be met in order for you to receive a diagnosis. Your treating clinician may ask you to describe your symptoms, their intensity, and their frequency. They may also ask you to rate your fear or anxiety level on a scale in order to better understand your experience. Related Conditions During the diagnostic process, your treating clinician will rule out other conditions and may diagnose you with a co-occurring condition. By taking the time to fully understand the scope of your symptoms, your clinician can offer you the best treatment and/or referrals possible. Your treating clinician may rule out: Phasmophobia Body dysmorphic disorder Thanatophobia Panic disorder Obsessive compulsive disorder Post traumatic stress disorder Generalized anxiety disorder Social anxiety disorder Comorbidities with Spectrophobia Research indicates that having a specific phobia strongly correlates with an individual experiencing a later onset of another mental health disorder, with the most common being mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. Causes of Spectrophobia Specific phobias may be caused by a traumatic event, but that isn't the case for everyone who experiences them. Research indicates that genetic and environmental factors may also play a role in developing a specific phobia. Spectrophobia can manifest in a variety of ways depending on the individual and their unique experience and genetics. Children and adults with over-activated amygdalas (a part of the brain involved in emotion and behavior) may be more prone to developing specific phobias.Children and adults who experience issues with habituation processing may be more prone to developing phobias. In other words, objects or situations that would otherwise be seen as non-threatening to the brain over time instead continue to trigger the fear response.Underlying fears may be exacerbated by genetic, environmental, and/or traumatic experiences. Those with spectrophobia may have a fear of ghosts, reflections, death, and/or criticism. Trauma-Induced Spectrophobia An individual who has experienced a traumatic event involving a mirror may develop spectrophobia. For example, a child who was frightened by someone in the mirror one or multiple times may eventually develop spectrophobia. Types of Spectrophobia Spectrophobia may be used to describe several different types of mirror-related phobias. Keep in mind that these subtypes are not official diagnoses. Fear of Mirrors and Body Image If you experience body image-related issues, the thought of mirrors or reflections may trigger a phobic response. You may also concurrently experience symptoms of spectrophobia, along with a feeding and eating disorder, and/or body dysmorphic disorder. Fear of Reflections A fear of mirrors may be related to a more generalized fear of reflections. In addition to mirrors, you may be afraid of any reflective material such as a highly polished car or some types of sunglasses. Reflections inherently distort the reflected items, causing them to appear slightly unreal, which some may find disturbing. Spiritual Fears Mirrors have long been linked to religious rituals, customs, and superstitions. Some believe that a mirror reflects a person's soul. In some cultures, individuals cover the mirrors in a newly deceased person's home, whether to prevent dead spirits from appearing or to keep surviving loved ones from being marked for death. The link between a mirror and the soul has led to a wide range of urban legends that may contribute to an individual's fear of death and/or ghosts. How Is Spectrophobia Treated? Treatment for spectrophobia will depend on your unique needs, although it typically involves some sort of psychotherapy. While seeking treatment for spectrophobia may feel overwhelming or scary, it's important to prioritize your well-being. Know that you do not have to experience this alone and that there are resources and skilled clinicians available to help you learn to overcome your fears. Exposure therapy is the most commonly used method for treating specific phobias. Medication Treatment of spectrophobia typically doesn't require medication, but psychoactive drugs are necessary on occasion, particularly if an individual has a co-occurring mental health disorder. Research has found that medication works best for treating specific phobias when used in conjunction with psychotherapy. Medication options may include: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors Beta-blockers Monoamine oxidase inhibitors Benzodiazepines Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is often an effective treatment option for people who experience symptoms of spectrophobia. Psychotherapy may be used in conjunction with medication or on its own. Therapeutic techniques will vary depending on your unique needs as well as your therapist's treatment style. Some common techniques used to treat specific phobias include: Cognitive behavioral therapy In vivo exposure therapy Virtual reality exposure therapy Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing Group therapy The Best Online Therapy Programs We've tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain. Coping With Spectrophobia Experiencing spectrophobia can feel incredibly overwhelming and may significantly decrease your quality of life. Whether you are currently seeking treatment for spectrophobia or not, finding healthy ways to cope may decrease some of your symptoms. Offer yourself words of affirmation on a daily basis. What you're experiencing may feel scary, exhausting, and debilitating. Be sure to support yourself with kind words. Practice relaxation techniques. Connect with supportive friends and family members. Take time to assess how spectrophobia is impacting your life. Spend time journaling to help process your experience with spectrophobia. If you are supporting a loved one with spectrophobia, be sure to take care of yourself as well. Watching a loved one experience something life-altering can feel heartbreaking, so make it a priority to check in with yourself and seek therapeutic support if needed. Get Advice From The Verywell Mind Podcast Hosted by Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares how to face your fears in a healthy way. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts A Word From Verywell Regardless of the underlying cause of your spectrophobia, know that there are many effective treatment options available. If you are experiencing a decrease in your overall quality of life because of spectrophobia or are having difficulty with acts of daily living, it's important to reach out to a mental health professional as soon as possible. 10 of the Most Common Phobias 6 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Pitchot W. Effective treatment of eisoptrophobia with duloxetine: a case report. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(5):10.4088. doi:10.4088/PCC.14l01636 American Psychological Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychological Association; 2013. Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B. Specific phobias. Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-X Garcia R. Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias. Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116 Rochat P, Zahavi D. The uncanny mirror: A re-framing of mirror self-experience. Conscious Cogn. 2011;20(2):204-213. doi:10.1016/j.concog.2010.06.007 Thng C, Lim-Ashworth N, Poh B, Lim CG. Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review. F1000Res. 2020;9:195. doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1 By Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit