Demystifying the mirror taboo: A neurocognitive model of viewing self in the mirror

Abstract

Research has consistently demonstrated that viewing one's body in a mirror after an amputation or other perceived or visible body disfigurements can be a traumatic experience. Mirror viewing or mirroring is a taboo subject, which may be the reason this trauma has not been previously detected or acknowledged. Traumatic mirror viewing may lead to mirror discomfort, mirror avoidance, and a host of psychosocial concerns, including post-traumatic stress. As mirroring is complex, four qualitative mirror viewing studies, embodiment concepts, polyvagal theory, and memory theories were used to develop a model. In this article, foundational knowledge that led to the development of the model is shared. A neurocognitive model of mirror viewing is offered together with implications for nursing research, practice, and education.

‘I Didn’t Even Recognise Myself’: Survivors’ Experiences of Altered Appearance and Body Image Distress during and after Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer

“…Looking in the mirror elicited negative emotional responses, with some survivors avoiding the mirror for weeks after treatment. This has been termed 'mirror trauma' [47] and has been explained as a significant autonomic nervous system shock reaction via the polyvagal response [48]. Earlier research has found similar shock at first sight [41,49], with those who avoid looking in the mirror, likely to experience delayed adaptation [50].…”

The mirror viewing experience of women undergoing a mastectomy: An integrative review

“…Of note, this study was excluded from the review as it did not include the term ‘mirror’ in the body of the text; however, the results mimic the comments from women described in this review. According to Freysteinson's (2020) Neurocognitive Mirror Viewing Model, anticipatory fear of what one may look like in the mirror can be accompanied by an autonomic nervous system response that may result in mirror viewing discomfort. This model correlates with our review findings as women described how their apprehension of not knowing what to expect led them to initially avoid mirrors (Freysteinson et al, 2012; Gershfeld Litvin & Jacoby, 2020; Menon & O'Mahony, 2019).…”

“…Viewing one's post-mastectomy body can be an emotionally charged experience with variable reactions. In this review, women described feelings of shock and numbness as they looked in the mirror (Davies et al, 2017;Freysteinson et al, 2012;Gershfeld Litvin & Jacoby, 2020;Herring et al, 2019;McKean et al, 2013), similar to the autonomic nervous system fright/flight and faint response described in Freysteinson's (2020) Neurocognitive Mirror Viewing Model. Women also reported how they did not recognize themselves in the mirror (Brunet et al, 2013;Gershfeld-Litvin, 2021;Kocan & Gursoy, 2016;Olasehinde et al, 2019), signifying short-term memory dysfunction, where the mind cannot register self-recognition, another aspect of the Mirror Viewing Model.…”

“…Original research on women's mirror viewing experiences after a mastectomy (Freysteinson et al, 2012) and the mirror viewing experiences of amputees (Freysteinson et al, 2017) and women experiencing military sexual trauma (Freysteinson et al, 2018) led to the development a Neurocognitive Mirror Viewing Model (Freysteinson, 2020). During the mirror viewing experience, a disruption in short‐term memory may be elicited, resulting in a loss of bodily recognition and shock.…”

The mirror and obesity: A systematic review on the effects of mirror exposure on behaviour and obese individuals

“…The mirror is a reflective aspect made of glass and coated with amalgam and reflects a clear image (Dictionary.com, 2020). It offers a visual field that is seen in the first person and can have a straight observation of ourselves (Freysteinson, 2020). Mirror exposure therapy is a methodical repetitive observation of oneself in a mirror with distinct guidance (Griffen et al, 2018).…”