My eleven yr old has a phobia of windows and mirrors. She locks her bathroom door because of the mirrors, I put a sheet over the mirror in her room and have all but stapled her curtain shut around the window so she can not see it. It is getting so bad she cries and forces herself to keep her eyes open at night. This just began about 2-3 months ago. Nothing has happened or changed in the family. We have an older daughter and a younger son who have no phobias. My daughter is also afraid to go anywhere in the house by herself. In the morning she won't go downstairs until someone goes with her and she completely flips out if she finds out someone left her by herself. It has really gotten out of control and I have tried to both to be supportive and also tried the hard line with her. Nothing seems to work. She crawls into my bed almost every night and I feel helpless, but sympathetic. Any suggestions?
After reading all the great advice I talked to both my daughters about any movies or stories they may have heard that would cause this fear. My oldest one knows not to talk about scary things around her sister (she doesn't want her in her bed) so she hasn't said anything and my daughter who is afraid says she doesn't remember anything causing it. I have made an appt for her to talk to a local therapist next week. Until then, she will be in and out of my bed. Thank you to everyone for all the advice. I was already leaning towards the therapist route but didn't want to be over-reacting. Thanks for reinforcing this decision!
Has she watched a Horror movie that uses windows and mirrors somehow, perhaps at a friends house that you didn't know about? Perhaps she heard a scary story at school or something. Maybe it was a terrible nightmare that dealt with glass. Anyway, something is causing the problem and if no logical explanation can be found I would seek expert help. GOOD LUCK!
Get her to a board certified Child Psychiatrist. It is common for psyciatric disorders to show up right around puberty, and she can get treatment to help her manage the symptoms. When a phobia disturbs a persons life to this degree, it is nothing to mess around with, so seek help. Untreated, she might develop more phobias and become less functional. Call today if you can, and in the morning if not.
Let us know how she does.
M.
If this has been going on several months, it might be time to get a psychologist involved.
Did she see a scary movie or something that would have freaked her out? Most scary movies have mirror or window related frightening scenes. If she can't articulate why this started, talk to your pediatrician. They may be able to help with suggestions or help her articulate what happened. At least they could refer to someone who can help with phobias. Good luck!
Could it be that she somehow watched a horror movie, etc?
As kids, we weren't allowed to watch such movies, but we'd sneak and watch them while visiting friends, etc.
I was basically found out when all of a sudden, I was afraid to bathe alone (I know - stupid). But I was even more afraid of telling my mom that I'd watch the film...(really stupid).
I would get her some counseling. there is something going on.
My Granddaughter covers her mirror at night and often during the day. She is 12. ??? She also turns her friends pictures away from her when she is singing or dancing in her room. I wonder if I should be looking further into this. Thanks for your post as I now wonder if this too might be a phobia. I will watch for your replies.
Your daughter need to see a psychiatrist she needs outside hellp i hope you get it for her ahe may not be happy with you now but latter shewill good luck A. formaer r n A. 4 children and7 grandchildren no hills
Hello, I would take her to her doctor and get a referral for counseling. She is way too afraid to wait on this.
Good luck with your precious daughter.
K. K.
Sounds like she saw something scary.
My daughter was around 11 when she went to a sleepover at a new friend's house. The friend had an older sister.
Before this sleepover, they had playdates and the other friend had sleptover at our house.
Long story short, I had to go get my daughter around midnight because they watched tv, the older sister told them about Bloody Mary or Jane or someone in the mirror. My daughter was so freaked out she slept with us a couple weeks.
She got over it but she still talks about how scared she got that night.
Sounds like she watched a terrifying movie or did the old bloody mary game in the mirror. There are some real horror movies out there and mirrors are always used to emphasize special effects.
That being said, if she is as out of control as she sounds, I would take her to a therapist or child psychologist. She may need to redefine reality vs. fantasy. Good luck and I'm sorry.
