Treatment for camera phobia

February 1, 2009 4:29 PM

Medication for camera phobia?

I chickened out. I was just at the doctor but couldn't bring myself to ask because this problem just sounds so stupid. I am scared of having my photo taken.

I've had this problem since I was little. I don't know why; I've just always frozen up whenever a camera's near. I've worked through this in therapy and done CBT and I am a lot better, e.g., I'm okay in social situations now and don't run away whenever someone starts taking photos. It is not a pleasant experience by any means but I accept that I don't have to like it - I just have to do it.
On occasion I will feel the old panic coming back but for the most part I can laugh at myself and my terrible photos.

Last week though, we had school photos (I work part time at a school). I did everything right... I put myself in a good mood.. I had a funny memory in my head to draw on... I had a relaxing morning, etc etc. But when I got into the room, instant panic. It's just this intense physiological reaction, and I find it hard to breathe, I trieed to smile but it's impossible somehow, as though my face is paralysed? The photographer and his team actually laughed at my attempts. I got very flustered and it was so humiliating because my colleagues were there.

I hate it when people find out I don't like photos, because all the usual questions start: Why? But you're do cute, I bet you'd take nice photos. Can't you just smile? What's the big deal?

It's easier when no one knows as it gives me the opportunity to pretend I'm normal when a camera comes around. But once people know I freak out, they expect it of me and watch me (or at least I feel like they do) and it becomes even worse for me the next time.

I got do anxious after school photos last week that it affected my whole day at work and I STILL feel somewhat "hungover" from the anxiety. I couldn't help but think "emergency Valium would have prevented this".
Doctors prescribe 2-3 valium for people with a fear of flying. Would a doctor prescribe me a couple of Valium for my phobia? Given that it's a pretty rare event, couple times per year max, I can't see why not. But I chickened out at the doctor. I feel so stupid and alone. Does anyone else suffer from this? Help :(

PS I'm typing this on my iPhone so sorry if there are weird typos.

posted by mjao to health & fitness (14 comments total)

Correction: I got "so" anxious after school photos...
posted by mjao at 4:30 PM on February 1

Do you have a digital camera? Can you buy/borrow one and practice taking dozens of pictures of yourself? Spending a weekend or so with a digital camera--under your control--might help you get used to being photographed and make the event begin to feel more casual for you.

I don't know whether a doctor would prescribe valium for photography-phobia, per se. But many doctors might prescribe you with Xanax for "social anxiety" issues, which it sounds like your real panic at being photographed may legitimately be.

I know this kind of fear is no fun. I wish you the best.
posted by applemeat at 5:47 PM on February 1

I see no reason a physician would not prescribe a quick acting benzodiazepine (eg xanax) for something such as this--10-20 pills taken over a year is certainly not going to cause any dependence/abuse. If they work they work, if they don't you will find out. These are generic drugs that are very inexpensive.The only contraindication would be if you have a history of other drug/alcohol abuse. I can assure you people have an extremely wide range of things which can cause severe anxiety reactions or phobic responses. Since this is something that occurs relatively seldom, does not require ongoing maintenance and appears to not adversely affect your day to day life--I would think most physicians would be understanding.
BTW, if you are offered the choice of using alcohol or a prescribed benzodiazepine to manage this occasional situational anxiety I would go with the drug taken as directed.
posted by rmhsinc at 5:52 PM on February 1

mjao, applemeat has a good suggestion. Take that iPhone you were typing on and flip it over. Smile.
posted by emelenjr at 6:02 PM on February 1

I realize you feel ashamed about this phobia, but you should find a doctor who you feel safe enough to admit it to. I'm sure there will be more helpful advice on here about medication and so on, but I do think you'll have lots of options.

You shouldn't be so embarrassed about this, though.

All phobias are, on the face of it, kind of absurd, and yours isn't any more so than that of someone afraid of birds, or social situations, or heights. It can be at its core either a rational or an irrational fear, but the keys is that it's magnified beyond the actual danger, and that is what you're looking for help treating. No doctor or therapist worth their salt should laugh at you or belittle you if you explain this to them properly, if they realize that it's an actual phobia causing you anxiety attacks. What you're afraid of, even if it's taking pictures, is not the actual problem. We're complex creatures, and if you could look inside peoples' heads you'd find the full spectrum of phobias, just as you'd probably find the full spectrum of kinks.
posted by you're a kitty! at 6:02 PM on February 1

At work so can't say much, but applemeat it's a good idea but I have done it heaps already and it doesn't seem to help. Being at home alone or even with trusted family members is different to being in that contrived situation where you have to line up and fake a smile... I've practiced so many times but it all goes out the window in that split second I'm expected to perform! Argh I'm getting tears in my eyes just thinking about it.
posted by mjao at 6:43 PM on February 1

One thing to consider--xanax makes me incredibly sleepy and consequently very droopy-looking. There are some pretty hilarious pictures of me from when my mom gave me one of her xanaxes when I was freaking out the day before my wedding.
posted by HotToddy at 7:02 PM on February 1

Doesn't sound crazy to me. When I worked in a retail pharmacy I would frequently see people bring in a prescription for just 1 or 2 xanax tablets. I'm sure a lot of these were for flying phobias, but I bet people get prescriptions for xanax or similar drugs for all sorts of phobias. I'd ask the doctor. Doctors see a lot of truly weird stuff - this is nothing to be ashamed of, and really, not all that weird.
posted by selfmedicating at 7:08 PM on February 1

Beta blockers are often used in the treatment of phobias.
posted by adipocere at 7:29 PM on February 1

I don't have a camera phobia, but I do HATE having my photo taken, and usually look awful as a result. I took up photography in order to avoid being the subject a lot of the time. Perhaps you could carry a digital camera with you, and be the one that takes the photos at social events. Be the one that offers to take group photos with other people's digital cameras, if they beat you to the photo taking.
posted by Joh at 9:16 PM on February 1

I don't really have a suggestion, as my solution is to avoid having my photograph taken. I wouldn't say I have a phobia, and my main problem is with posed photographs. I mean, it's like people feel the need to prove that they've been somewhere, or that they were having fun. Candid photographs are always better (even when they're bad).
posted by cmoj at 11:25 AM on February 2

Xanax would seem a little steep. Start with beta blockers (non habit forming) and then Valium, then Ativan, then bump way up to the Xanax. Just get a couple pills. Try the valium way before an event, so you know what to expect.

Also, the first suggestion seems like exposure therapy. Get a friend to take photos of you in many different locations. Your home. The mall. Grocery store. Etc. I was in yearbook in HS. A few teachers just used the same photo of themselves, year after year. Mostly the women. Seems like a good antidote for you. You could even get your picture done at a Yuen Luey or Sears, or whatever, have them give you prints at your school's yearbook dimensions and specifications (so it wont be too obvious that it came from a different souce), and presto! Just talk to the yearbook advisor, first.

Good luck.
posted by captainsohler at 1:18 PM on February 2

I have this so I know how you feel. As a kid, picture day was hell with everyone else in line staring my quivering lips.

I use my "emergency Xanax" for this (and flying) and all is well. I find a very small amount is all I need. I mean it. Recently, I even posed for a photographer in various sites around the city in front of gawking strangers. Yes!
posted by Kloryne at 3:05 PM on February 2

i tought i was the only one who had this problem. the prospect of living with this problem for the rest of my life is just severely depressing. i would get rid of any photos of family and friends that has me in it whenever i come across one, no question. so, yes, how?
posted by Kennerd at 12:38 AM on February 12