Although looking in the mirrors, whether at home, in the car or in a store, is something natural and normal in people, the truth is that this fact can become in some cases a true obsession.
In the beginning, nothing happens to look in the mirrors from time to time to make sure of what state our image is in, if we are well combed, if we have good makeup …, although this simple action when it becomes a Obsessive mania results in what is known as captotrophilia, which consists of an uncontrollable urge to look at yourself on a surface that reflects the image despite the fact that only about 30 seconds have passed since the previous time. In the following FastlyHealarticle, we will explain in more detail what are the causes, symptoms and treatment of captotrophilia.
Table of Contents
Captotrophilia: causes
Captotrophy can be defined as the obsession to look in the mirror continuously and repeatedly. If this self-contemplation is done with the purpose of reaffirming one’s beauty, there is nothing wrong with it except for the damage to emotional health that excessive self-esteem can bring. However, when the final objective is totally the opposite, that is, the continuous search and analysis of each of the physical defects and the rejection of one’s own image and attractiveness, we would be facing a case of captotrophilia, an obsessive disorder compulsivethat, although in some cases it may be temporary or transitory, in others, it could lead to more serious disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, tanorexia or bodily dystrophy disorder.
According to psychologists, one of the main causes of captotrophilia is the continuous search for perfection , mainly, in your physical image. Those who suffer from this obsessive mania are usually people who from a very young age or young have based all their self-esteem on their physical appearance. In order to achieve that perfection in their body, they do not stop looking for their defects in a constant and repetitive way; and because perfection does not exist, this behavior ends up becoming a disorder.
In addition to the above, people with this obsession to look in the mirror a lot present a complicated combination of self-demand, perfectionism and personal analysis. They do not accept their shortcomings or “forgive” themselves, so they live with a feeling of constant anguish and self-punishment.
When does it become a problem?
We know that looking in a mirror is not a problem. The problem occurs when that routine of looking at yourself in any mirror turns into an obsession and addiction that ends up affecting the person’s daily life. Daily activities are limited by the need to spend a great deal of time looking in the mirror and if this is not done, you feel great discomfort and even anxiety.
Captotrophilia: symptoms
Among the main signs and symptoms of captotrophilia that can help identify that a person has this obsession with looking in the mirror, are the following:
- Constantly looking in the mirrors at home, in the rear view mirror of the car, in the shop windows, the mobile screen, etc., to find and analyze all the physical defects of your body.
- Negative overvaluation of a part of the body.
- Not recognizing the problem and believing that they have physical defects that they must hide.
- Low self – esteem .
- Obsession with a specific physical defect. When they think to improve or overcome that defect, they focus on finding a new one.
- Anxiety .
- Depression.
- Ups and downs in mood.
Captotrophy: treatment
What can we do in a case of captotrophilia? Well, a person with this obsession and this behavior must put himself in the hands of a psychotherapist as soon as possible.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy should be started in order to reduce this compulsion to look in the mirror continuously and also reduce the anxiety that this causes. In this therapy, it will also be necessary to go deeper on a psychological and emotional level to try to identify all those fears that are leading you to have this obsessive behavior. It is very important to detect the origin of the problem and why it has started and maintained over time. With good psychological therapy it is possible to completely overcome this addiction, but it is true that those who have already suffered from it are more likely to develop it again in the future.
In addition to this treatment for captotrophilia, it is important that those close to the affected person take into account the following recommendations to help them:
- Choose the moment well to talk to him and convey that we are concerned about his behavior. Of course, it is very important to do it in a way that that person does not feel that we are judging them.
- Advise him on the possibility of putting himself in the hands of a psychologist and provide him with all the support.
- Try to make him see how this obsession with constantly looking in the mirror influences his daily life.
- Enhance their virtues.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Captotrophy, obsession with looking in the mirror: causes, symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our category of Mental disorders .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.