Oops totally editing this lol. But anyway I have a phobia of cameras and it's affecting me at work to the point of just crying in embarrassment lol Idk how to get over it without a whole new outlook on my appearance, which is where the fear stems from. Sigh I've always worked so hard and I would hate to lose my job for something like this

Have you tried seeking therapy for your phobia? This is kind of a thing where you need to see a professional to help you in your process to overcoming your phobia.

Take with a grain of salt for my advice... so if anything, I would start small. Start with taking pictures of yourself by yourself. First mirror pictures, so you know what you look like in the mirror and you know how it'll look on camera. Repeat daily, then work your way up. Then do selfies, then set a timer to take pictures of yourself. Each step you should do until it feels comfortable... then move on to the next step of your choosing. Hopefully you can move to a step where someone ELSE can take your picture. Make it a close friend, or family member who you know and can trust. Create a folder and put all the pictures in chronologically. This is going to be a gradual processes. Have someone to consult in. Hope this can help or give some ideas.

Remember, I'm not a professional. I'm a geologist. So try to seek some help through therapy! Good luck! ❤️

nope I've had bad experiences with therapy so I haven't been since I was like 16. Maybe it would benefit me at this age but it's not something I've considered... I actually really do like your advice because at this point I have an avg of like 5 selfies per year and even less photos taken by others (at my demand XD) Thank you lavy!!

I'm in the same boat with you, I had to see a therapist when I was... 12-13 due to my ED. I found it no help and completely a waste of money.

"How was your day...?" ... "What did you eat...?"

I was like... this isn't helping! So I turned away from therapist and have a negative mindset towards them. That was my experience haha.

Also, I think it takes 27 days to make a habit. So if you want to start on anything to help your phobia, maybe keep a calendar and mark it down!

I just don't like camera's everywhere, but it seems good to keep an eye for everybody's safety. I'm not sure if this is utopia, because a real clever criminal can handle with all kind of camera's and he/she has got special knowledge about it. So I'm skeptic about the function of the camera's in general. So for me they are simple annoying things.

A phobia is different than just don't like. If you feel uncomfortable, because you have got the feeling you don't get really the respect to have a little privacy or someone else keep an eye on you every time on every place, I can't call this a phobia, because it's the reality and it's indeed unpleasant.

Or do I understand you still wrong?

You could always go into a camera shop and work your way towards them, seeing they can't harm you in any way, shape or form.

well, idk if that was sarcasm but the fear is of being photographed/recorded and the outcome to be more specific.

you are so correct about misconstruing phobias and being upset... But I didn't explain well; the cameras are for when a customer orders we now have to go up to it and personally sit there. I had a really bad experience with shaking and threw up in my mouth- only 10x worse when one of my customers (thinking I can't see them) pointed n laughed quietly at me later lol so far since that day I haven't seen any of my coworkers using the camera so there may be hope yet!

Being pthograped, filmed, recorded seems to me not the real problem, because you can always delete some wrong records. It could be possible the camera and the records on itself are not the problem, but the easy way of such people judge about each other at the sight of an insignificant moment, may be the real crux of the problem.

hmm ... I think it's better to deal with your phobia by simulating this situation and to practice with somebody you know a little longer and personal and you can trust. A phobia is always very arduous. But avoid such situations will not really help you. It is better to work out with roleplaying with people who you can trust, how to get more control of those kind of situations.

Oh. I think I misunderstood when I read your post. My reply wasn't sarcasm.

I think you are so right about people being more of the problem.. n maybe my own self esteem XD; I like the idea of having trusted people help me through it too, like earlier said. It's a really good idea!! Thanks! ^^

, I'm glad to hear I could help you. Good luck. :D

I dunno if you have the willpower for this but try telling yourself the picture will definitely look horrible, let the picture happen, and then focus on the actions of everyone else that was in the picture after the picture is taken. If you see that none of them are that concerned about how awful that picture was and don't seem to care about how badly you looked, maybe it'll be less anxiety-inducing?

That's how I worked through a couple of my mild phobias, so I have no idea if it'll work or not since mine was mild and yours is clearly not. But, there it is, if you want to try it.

that's actually pretty genius!!! I'm really glad it worked for you btw, and you're really strong to work through that c: I actually might try this, though I do have issues with thinking everyone is lying sometimes ^^; But like you I'm trying to work past it and tell myself not everyone is so judgmental. :D

D'aww, thanks. ^^ It came to me during a moment of frustration. I was so tired of back-and-forthing with my anxiety I gave up and decided to just give my brain what it wanted, purely out of emotional exhaustion. I was shocked that it made me feel better! I sure hope it works for you too, I can't imagine the awfulness you're dealing with. <3

It's really rare for people to be that judgmental to only one person, if that makes you feel better. Usually they do it to everyone, and for self-esteem reasons.