Scopophobia, also known as ophthalmophobia or scoptophobia, is a specific phobia characterized by an excessive and persistent fear of being watched, looked at, or stared at by others. People with scopophobia may feel overwhelmed by a sense of danger and the need to escape, and they may avoid social interactions because they think people are judging them. Symptoms of scopophobia can vary between people, but they may include sweating, trembling, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, nausea, and abdominal discomfort, among others. Scopophobia is diagnosed based on the criteria that a person is markedly anxious or fearful about a specific situation or object, the object or specific situation almost always triggers an immediate fear or anxiety, the fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the level of danger the object or situation poses, and a person actively avoids or endures the object or situation with intense anxiety or fear.
Scopophobia is linked to high anxiety, self-consciousness, and social avoidance, and it can affect work, school, and other daily activities. It is treatable, and people with scopophobia may find it beneficial to talk with others who have had similar experiences or to seek professional help.
