what is the fear of being watched when alone

The fear of being watched when alone is called scopophobia. It is a type of specific phobia in which people have an excessive fear of being watched or looked at, and they may feel overwhelmed by a sense of danger and the need to escape. Scopophobia is a unique phobia in that the fear of being looked at is considered both a social phobia and a specific phobia, because it is a specific occurrence which takes place in a social setting. Symptoms of scopophobia can vary between people, but they may include a feeling of imminent doom or danger, feeling the need to escape, sweating, trembling, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, nausea, and abdominal discomfort. People who have had negative social experiences, such as being bullied as a child, may feel threatened in similar situations. According to a 2020 study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, being female or having a history of depression may increase the risk of developing a specific phobia. If you fear being watched when alone continuously, you may get help from a professional to understand what may trigger your fear.