When someone with dementia believes their reflection is talking back to them, it’s a symptom called mirror misidentification. This happens because dementia affects how the brain processes visual information and recognizes faces.
For people with dementia, looking in a mirror can be confusing. They might not realize they’re seeing their own reflection. Instead, they may think it’s another person looking back at them. And if they talk to their reflection, they might interpret any movements of their reflection’s mouth as the “other person” talking back.
This experience can feel very real and distressing for the person with dementia. They aren’t trying to be difficult – their brain is simply misinterpreting what they see. It’s a bit like how some people see faces in clouds or objects. The brain is trying to make sense of visual information, but it’s making incorrect connections.
Mirror misidentification often occurs in the middle to later stages of dementia. It’s more common in Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. As dementia progresses, the ability to recognize oneself in mirrors typically declines.
For caregivers, it’s important to respond with patience and reassurance. Arguing or trying to convince the person they’re wrong usually doesn’t help. Instead, it’s often better to validate their feelings, gently redirect their attention, or even cover mirrors if they cause frequent distress.
Understanding that this is a symptom of the disease can help caregivers respond with empathy. While it may seem strange to us, for the person with dementia, the experience feels completely real. With compassion and the right approach, caregivers can help manage this challenging symptom and reduce anxiety for their loved one.
