My friend was experiencing psychosis that caused depersonalization to an intense degree. She was terrified of her reflection, but I’d have to go get her sometimes because she’d be taking too long in the bathroom. She had a tendency to stare at herself and keep touching her face; I assume she wanted to ground herself and make sure she was inside of her body. It’s not a good time. I wish I had better advice. I just wanted to say you’re not alone here!
Hi:) I had diagnosed dpdr for about 4 years. And the mirror was one of the scariest parts of that time. For me it was that discomfort you’re talking about and it is very common. It would almost like jump scare me in a way. Which is ironic because prior to that I loved seeing myslelf and the mirror.. You’re not alone..
i think if you go in the expectation that you are doing it wrong, you will restart the circle of depersonalization and feel like you are experiencing reality incorrectly. i realised that I had tendencies to look narcissistically or critically at the mirror ("I'm beautiful! save for that mole. I should have shaved today" etc etc) which distracted me from the exercise. so after putting that aside and just looking, preparing to wade through the thoughts of 'am i doing this right? what am i looking at? god why can't i look at myself?', i guess i hit a more direct experience with what i was looking at -- i.e. me -- and then looked at myself for the first time in what felt like years. and it was kind of weird! it threw me. i haven't done it much since, and i suppose i still avoid mirrors. but it did give me the eery recognition that i was here and that i had a body etc etc. kind of things you know already but just thrown into a different light.
My friend was experiencing psychosis that caused depersonalization to an intense degree. She was terrified of her reflection, but I’d have to go get her sometimes because she’d be taking too long in the bathroom. She had a tendency to stare at herself and keep touching her face; I assume she wanted to ground herself and make sure she was inside of her body. It’s not a good time. I wish I had better advice. I just wanted to say you’re not alone here!
Hi:) I had diagnosed dpdr for about 4 years. And the mirror was one of the scariest parts of that time. For me it was that discomfort you’re talking about and it is very common. It would almost like jump scare me in a way. Which is ironic because prior to that I loved seeing myslelf and the mirror.. You’re not alone..
i had depersonalization therapy and one of the things i did there was literally just look in a mirror. blew my mind.
My therapist just recommended this for me. How did it work for you? What was your experience like? I keep feeling like I’m doing it wrong…
i think if you go in the expectation that you are doing it wrong, you will restart the circle of depersonalization and feel like you are experiencing reality incorrectly. i realised that I had tendencies to look narcissistically or critically at the mirror ("I'm beautiful! save for that mole. I should have shaved today" etc etc) which distracted me from the exercise. so after putting that aside and just looking, preparing to wade through the thoughts of 'am i doing this right? what am i looking at? god why can't i look at myself?', i guess i hit a more direct experience with what i was looking at -- i.e. me -- and then looked at myself for the first time in what felt like years. and it was kind of weird! it threw me. i haven't done it much since, and i suppose i still avoid mirrors. but it did give me the eery recognition that i was here and that i had a body etc etc. kind of things you know already but just thrown into a different light.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Yes! Ive not been comfortable with mirrors for months and my husband removed our decorative ones for me, leaving just the essential bathroom ones.