Erythrophobia
Erythrophobia is an unusual and persistent fear of facial blushing or blushing in general. Blushing displays a marked redness of one’s face; the term is seldom applied except when the redness is construed as a result of embarrassment, shame, or modesty. If redness persists for abnormal amounts of time after blushing then it is considered an early sign of rosacea.
Those suffering usually experience anxiety even though they realize that such a fear is irrational. The problem or anxiety stems from worrying about being the focus of attention which may lead to embarrassment. Many who try to hide blushing usually end up making the condition even worse.
People suffering from blushing usually try to avoid social gatherings, public speaking engagements, and other situations that may lead to a large gathering of people. Unfortunately, this can prevent the person from maximizing their full potential or possibly prevent them from moving up the ranks within their organization.
“Erythrophobia” also can refer to fear of the color red because of what it may symbolize, such as blood. The terms “redcoat” (British soldier in the American Revolution) and “red” (synonym for “communist”) gave Americans valid reasons to fear red. Other terms with “red” that have a negative connotation include “redeye” (an overnight air flight), “caught red-handed” (caught with evidence of guilt) “red-herring” (a deceptive tactic), “red ink” (a financial loss) and “seeing red” (angry).
“Erythrophobia” is derived from the Greek “erythros” (red) and “phobos” (fear). “Erythros” also gives us the English words “erythema” (inflammation of the skin that causes reddening) and “erythrocyte” (a red blood cell).
There is a cure for facial blushing, well, it may be a cure for many – Public Speaking. (What! You have to be kidding!) Actually, there is probably a ToastMasters organization close to you which acts as a support group for those that want to overcome this problem. They are a group of people just like you who want to improve their ability to speak in front of others and it’s a way for you to work on the issue on your own time!
I suffer from severe facial blushing and anxiety, I wish there was a natural cure to this!
This describes my problems perfectly. I blush at the stupidest things, and for no reason at all. Is there any other way other than public speaking to get rid of this? Will I have to deal with this my whole life?
I have always blushed even though im not embarrased. That is why I hate when teachers put me on the spot in school. Sometimes I even feel afraid that I am going to blush! So I do believe I have Erythrophobia.
Well can I get cured if I go see a psychologist?
Or am I always gonna be blushing?
public speaking is true- one year i had such a huge issue with this, and the next year i had more chances to public speak, and the problem was not as severe
Hi Ted,
Thanks for sharing! It’s means a lot to hear from someone first hand!
Jim.
omg, i have this, and i used to like public speaking until just a little while ago!
I don’t really have a problem with public speaking. or really a problem with large crowds. It’s the smaller, more intimate settings that set me off. When I have to share personal information about myself (again, if it’s in a large setting, I have no problem) I turn bright red, then someone always mentions it, and I turn even redder. Even thinking about situations that might be a problem make me uncomfortable. Hence why I hate dating!
Man, I have the exact same problem as almost everyone here. I’m only in high school, and until just before I started, I had no problem with redness. ever. Then, come high school (and puberty, I hit that late) all the sudden my face is always red on both cheeks, and across my nose, sort of like a butterfly. Anytime there’s attention on me, my whole face gets warm, until some one points it out and it just goes worse from there one in. Life sucks.
I have this as well. Mine started in 8th grade and has continued since then. I wonder if there is some sort of hypnosis that could cure or help it? This is the one thing that I would most love to change about myself.
I agree with everyone, it is worse when someone points it out. I have had to have serious discussions with close friends and family about it to make them realize how badly their jokes hurt.
Good luck everyone!
a mi tambien me pasa de todo pero de todo me pongo rojo yo casi siempre voy a comidas donde hay mucha gente reunida y el solo hecho de pensar ke va haber mucha gente ya llego todo rojo por ke se ke mas de alguno me va preguntar algo y todos me van a mirar no se por ke me pasa esto YO NO ERA ASI gente de guadalajara deberiamos de juntarnos para platicar sobre nuestro problema kreo ke asi nos sentiriamos un poko mejor y ayudarnos entre nosotros mismos o ke no es BUENA IDEA for Erythrophobia
Good luck to all of you and thank you for sharing your stories! I blush randomly too. I never know when it will strike, but it does feel like a hot iron! And people say it looks like the tail lights of a car. When I do catch a glimpse of myself blushing, I am so amazed because my skin looks like it is glowing. Lol…too bad it is not considered a talent!
I just wonder what it comes from…I usually find blushing cute on other people, but it scares me on myself! I also have anxiety, and get sweaty when I am anxious…or in public usually, or with close friends…there is no rhyme or reason. But I realized that I am really outgoing and so I never let it hold me back, no matter where I am!
So, it is not that I am proud to blush, but I am proud to be me, and no one can make me feel bad for a silly emotional response. But it is true that it gets better over time. Hey, things could be worse, right? Take it light and you’ll be fine!
I hate to say it, but it feels nice that there are other people out there too. I swear, I’m the only person i know who deals with this horrible thing. I take anti-anxiety medication, which helps a ton! It’s called Lexapro, but I take the generic form called citalopram. I still blush, but it’s not nearly as frequent, and I don’t worry about it as much.
Como me estáis soy Dolores medica del Clínico Quirúrgico” de cuba, se que somos muy famosos por tu nuestra medicina y tratamientos, pues no estoy aquí para hablarles de política, quiero contarles que desde que tengo uso de razón padecí la psoriasis, se imaginan que según todos creen aquí es lo mejor para la cura, independientemente si posees o no del dinero, aquí no hay tal cura amigos, un día chateando con otra persona que no conozco pero que agradeceré toda mi vida, me hablo de una crema que se estaba elaborando en Argentina, para mi era difícil creer, y conseguirla, con los problemas de aduana pero muchos me ayudaran y lego la crema, yo les recomiendo a todos los que puedan usarla ya que no saben lo curativa que es, es impresionante el cambio en mi vida, se que ahora están queriendo traerla a mi país, muchos colegas que se han enterado por que mi caso era muy famoso, toda una vida de padecimientos, solo quiero decirles que mientras la crema este en manos de una persona como, la crema sanara cuando pase a manos de otros dejara de hacerlo, a nadie le conviene que la psoriasis tenga cura se los digo como medica con conocimiento de causa, por el dinero trataran de que la crema no sea tal y no llegue como es la formula se los aseguro. Por eso admiro a esta mujer que pudiendo vender esta formula (a un dineral) no lo hace por que sabe que la crema dejara de curar, por que no la haran con los componentes que tiene la original, ellos quieren esclavos y clientes por siempre.
Les dejo mi historia tal vez los ayude a tomar la mejor decisión.
It happens to me at random times and it worries me so much. I get really scared when I know people will point it out and i will go even more red. I’m in year 10, can anyone help me?
Yeah it is good to hear that other people have the same problem. I’m kinda like Lisa where it gets really bad in intimate settings, but also with new settings. It can be something personal, or completely random but there it’ll go…face bright red which makes everything become awkward and then more awkward because the person thinks I’m embarrassed, or modest about it. It’s getting to the point that i am beginning to avoid new things. Boo!!!!
I am so happy I found this site. I have always turned red now and again but now it’s OUT OF CONTROL!!! I would do anything to stop this. I am starting to worry about turning red ALL the time. Just thinking about turning red, turns me red. I just don’t understand how this got so bad.
Hey people here’s the kicker, it only happens at work. I am honestly a confident person. I even take myself out to dinner, by myself with no problems. I guess I just have social anxiety when it comes to work. The worst part…..I’m a child psych counselor. I lead group therapies. Just tonight I was doing a group and my coworker put me on the spot….BOOM I’m a silly color red and want to hide. Thank God I’m dead sexy!! LMAO…..and turning RED.
I wish I could understand it, too. I used to blush in high school frequently, so much so that if anyone said anything negative about me or to me and I blushed, it was assumed that what was said must be true. I also blushed a lot when I thought a guy was cute or got otherwise put on the spot. Very embarrassing!
I blushed less and less as time went on, but now I have a job where I’ve started to blush a lot again. I don’t get along well with certain bossy/pushy coworkers, so I fear blushing, then I start to blush, and when I realize I’m blushing, I get embarrassed and start to tremble. It’s like high school all over again. I hope that someday I will be confident enough that I can deal with any situation or any person without looking like a fool. Not caring what other people think and not being a pushover are skills that take practice.
hey guys i am just like all of you!! I blush all the time even in front of family, and that’s the worst!! but i found a site that said that i could reduce blushing by practicing relaxing myself by taking deep breaths everyday so that when a situation comes i am able to relax myself.
I believe it can be spiritual, if your sinning or doing things you know is wrong, it makes you feel guilty all the time, thus, you will blush a lot more. At least this is how i feel. I am blushing a lot lately so i am going to practice relaxing each day and also try to serve the Lord more!! The Lord says “Ask anything in my name and I shall give it to you”. Well, I have asked the Lord to help me with this problem, if i will start serving him more diligently. I’ll let you guys know how it goes!
I agree with everyone and would like to find out some answers too. My arms and neck turn red as well as my face. I don’t have to be doing anything and I look down and I am red. Wish we could find some answers.
I can’t believe how many other people that are out there that feel the same as me!
I started blushing around the time I was 18 and it got worse. It got to the point I wouldn’t even go to dinner with the own family! I’d hide in my room and sneak in a beer to relax before going out. I realized how sad and pathetic this was making me feel so I started to see a psychologist.
I started Lexapro and psycho therapy and it really helped. I’ll be 29 this year and have been off the meds for 2 years, I really wanted to see if I could control this w/o medications. It seemed to a bit, but I still turn red, and it’s at the stupidest things! Like when my teacher calls in me in school or I tell a joke.
I’m a VERY outgoing fun loving person who loves to talk and meet people. But if I run into someone I haven’t seen at the mall or dinner or something, boom, I’m a friggin firetruck. I hate it so much b/c I feel like I’m not to my full potential with work or school b/c of this.
I’m a lot better than I was, but I still suffer from it. Weirdest thing is, I finally told my sister and brother about it (while totally turning red) and they told me they suffer from the exact same thing!!!! What In The World? Could this be something genetic we all have?
Thanks for listening.
Wow, i though i was the only one being weird! I blush when I talk – it doesn’t matter to whom. Especially with numbers, for some reason, I can’t say a number without turning real red – the worst thing is, usually, i don’t FEEL it when I’m blushing! And just to top it off, I’m in high school: erythrophobia + hormones + giving talks = not a very good combination.
I just don’t know what to do! But I guess it’s kinda comforting to know I’m not the only one that immediately flushes when they say the word ‘four’…. Ok maybe not specifically but still…
I guess we just gotta stick in there!
YA…. so far I haven’t read any erythrophobia like mine yet. I tend to blush at the most random times just because it comes to mind that i might blush. If i even think about blushing in social situations i will start blushing, with addition to situations that just put the attention on me that make me blush.
Also my FAVORITE is every time I’m driving and have time to think, i will think about how I’m driving or for some reason think about blushing (idk really know i just start thinking) and i WILL start blushing. I mean how sweet is this… no one is around but in cars, no one can see me.. and I STILL BLUSH!?!?!? No one really knows i do this because i haven’t told anyone this part because it sounds insane but this is the epitome of what i do.
I recently looked up some hypnosis stuff and downloaded some free thing i found dealing with confidence and started listening to it. BUT HEY GET THIS, EVERY time I start to relax, lay down and listen to it, I START BLUSHING… just because I’m thinking about why I’m listening to this and how people might think of me because I’m listening to it.. I do this when no one is around or I’ll go to bed and my roommate (in college) will be just sleeping (so i know there is no way he’s like sitting there and just knows what I’m listening to on my i-pod) but i still blush.. so i swear this thing just makes me blush more than it helps..
so what do i do when things that are suppose to help make it WORSE??? not that cool really.
I wrote all that first hoping people might be able to relate but i also consider myself a fairly confident person in many parts of life.. I consider myself pretty good looking, i am decently smart (still in college), have a pretty cool family, have cool friends, pretty motivated… but yet still im so self conscious of what others think and just master at blushing when i think people are thinking about me or judging me or just like recognizing me as a person in their presence.
Well.. helps a little to know other people blush but don’t know what to do about what i have.
DDD
ps. lightly blushed through writing this whole thing for no reason
I have seen everyone’s comments and we all share this in common…
I have suffered for about 1 1/2 years. I have been on every type of antidepressant, which really does not work.
My mom found that Erythrophobi is caused by the Thorascic Nervious System T-2
What is the cure? Is surgery really something I should consider?
Cole, the last thing you want is Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy! There are so many, many testimonials on the internet as to how this surgery made things worse!
For those considering this type of surgery, please, do your research before you proceed and you’ll find some very scary stories! Look at the comments people have left on this site under the ETS section and you’ll get an idea of what may happen!
Thanks to sites like this for allowing people to share their experience! Chances are the physician won’t point them out
Same kind of story here, I’m going to be turning 40 this year, and I’ve suffered (the only word for it) since I was mid 20′s. The best side effect of this condition is that I so hated being stuck in a social position and not being able to leave (like a 9 to 5 job!), that I started my own business so that I would have the freedom to leave places when I wanted to. However, now that I have found success and broken the 9-5 prison, I’d like to lead a full life. I don’t like to be reliant on drugs, and I certainly don’t like the sound of cutting up my nerves.
It’s always been easy for me to blush but now my fear of blushing hangs like a black cloud over my head at the thought of ANY upcoming social situation…
Before any event that i know would cause me to blush, i really have to prep myself. Like for instance, put on make up, drink coffee – as it constricts blood vessels… yes I’ve done a lot of research. Sometimes i feel as if it’s progressively getting worse.
Now anything can cause to go red… sometimes just the thought if going red. The root of my problem is blushing is probably a bit of social anxiety or self consciousness though that may be the very thing that’s caused those problems. Anyhow, so I’m working to tackle my issues with social anxiety/self consciousness first. And hopefully if i learn not to care, my dreaded blushing will finally go away.
I’m frequently asked,”why is your face red?” and then I really don’t know why but sometimes at the lunch table at school (I’m 15) I’ll be telling a funny story and I’ll be red. I’ll laugh at a joke I heard and I’ll turn red.
Also when I tie my shoe or stretch before playing a sport, I raise my head an I’m red. I see someone I haven’t seen in awhile again I turn red. And to finish it up it only gets worse when someone points it out.
What is it? could it be the serotonin (or something) in my blood, because I don’t really feel embarrassed about anything that happened but I look like tomato.
Please help if anyone has any answers.
I really get upset when people point out my facial blushing. I realize they don’t know what its like but it’s pretty much just like saying “Hey, why are you so fat?” I mean what’s the difference? I don’t feel the need to point out people’s flaws and I don’t understand why anyone would.
I have read everyone’s comments on here and I am glad to know that I am not alone!
I have never been the most confident person in the world, in fact, I have always been shy. However, I always remembered that I never used to blush. Even when I felt insecure or embarrassed I would never blush. It just started happening during my junior year of high school up until now. I am going to be a sophomore in college and I am really tired of blushing. Much like many of you, I blush during social situations, when I think about blushing, when I see an old friend at the mall or restaurant, and the worse is when I get called on in school.
I used to love answering questions and sharing my opinion, but now I am so timid, and I avoid being called on as much as possible. Even if I am confident that I know the right answer the second I begin talking I can feel my face burning red. And it does suck whenever people point out how red your face really is.
I really don’t understand why I have this problem now, and I have been trying so hard to find a solution. I always wonder if tanning will help. I put on a lot of cover up when I know I will be in a social situation. Has anxiety pills helped? Does hypnosis even work? I feel so lost and I wish I knew what to do.
Oh man, I am so glad that I’m not alone and that there are people out there that have the same exact problem as me! I turn red over the stupidest things. I am considering the surgery for it, because I feel that i have a pretty severe case… I am an actress and I love what I do. But when i get “an attack” i tend to mess up my lines and fall victim to this stupid thing i have, which doesn’t look too well on camera! It would also help my love life so much more too, so that i don’t always blush in front of a cute guys that RARELY come up and talk to me. Are there any ways to do it herbaly or with a therapist? It’s getting to a pretty bad point. I want my life back!!!
Hi Everyone,
Thank the lord for this site!, I have suffered from panic attacks for many years but have suffered from extreme blushing only within the last 3-4 years and let me tell you, it is controlling my life. I have been given propanolol (Beta-Blockers) for migraines but it also treats anxiety and it’s side effects (blushing), not started to take them yet but this is my last hope. I will come back and let you all know if they work. Fingers and toes crossed!!!.
Honestly this problem keeps me up at night analyzing all the times I’ve been even more embarrassed when someone would point out my ridiculously tomato red blushing face. I would try to ignore it and go out, but no it would not stop happening and so many times it would be back to back blushing attacks!
I’m giving up, I’m not going out anymore, its too much to bare. it’s not fair for someone to go through this much anxiety when there around people. not to mention i sweat like a manic too around people.
I am so happy that i finally reached a site that i can hear other people with the same situation as me. I felt as if i was the only one with this problem!
Like many of the previous comments, I blush for the stupidest little things, it use to be worst and it all started when i was in 7th grade i believe because i can’t really track it back before that. when i was in sixth grade i was so outgoing i was the teachers pet. I always wanted to be the one to raise my hand to answer the questions and i enjoyed talking in front of the class but as soon as i reached middle school and puberty i guess that i started having the blushing problem.
I hate when this happens and it is embarrassing to just turn red all of a sudden. i don’t know if this is just me but i get red and my face gets itchy in certain spots like in my neck and cheeks its probably because i have acne but its very mild and not that much.
I’ve always thought what could have been the cause to this and i think it started because when i hit puberty i use to have a lot of acne and my face really was filled with acne.
I guess i was always self conscious and when i was called on by the teacher or put on the spot i wouldn’t want anyone to turn around and look at me because of my acne and i guess that is what lead to me blushing.
Until now, which i have graduated from high school already, i suffered from facial blushing but not as severe as i had it before. i really wish that there was some way i can stop having this problem because i feel like i am missing out on so many things in life that i want to do, but i cant because i don’t want to be embarrassed and my face to be all red.
I now regret many things that i wish i could have enjoyed in high school like to be in some type of sport or club but i wasn’t and now i will never be able to go back to high school. That is why i want this to stop so that i can feel like i am actually living my life and i want to enjoy doing things with out having to worry about turning red or embarrassing myself.
So far i think i will probably speak to a therapist about my problems; maybe they can help me overcome whatever i have and put a stop to this struggle in front of me.
I to have this problem. I have suffered with this all my life in random situations but now it’s non stop in any situation. It has caused me to isolate myself and avoid any social event of any kind. I have left work many times crying wishing this would just go away.
It’s so embarrassing. I turn not only red on my face but the redness runs down my neck to my chest and down my arms. It helps to know that I am not the only one suffering from this. I have great empathy for everyone here. Is there a treatment of any kind to get rid of this?
Hi All
I work as a paramedic and when dealing with cardiac arrests/trauma etc, i always go red in the face and neck and its really getting me down my work is not effected although when i go into hospital to hand over the patient i feel the staff focus on my red/blotchy face .Is there medication out there?.
My cheeks are almost constantly pink depending on what cloths I’m wearing and and the temperature. It becomes hard when your lips turn purple when your cold and your cheeks turn red when your hot. So, not only are you being teased for being red your teased for being purple as well. Also I have fairly pale skin which i get teased for as well.
I usually blush when I feel that my face is already unusually red in comparison to everybody else. Also its always the same person/s in social situations that point out that your red. So I’m going to make an effort to discover their weakness and tease the hell out of them whenever I get the chance.
I feel that me blushing makes the people around me more nervous than I am. I’m also going to try not care about it anymore because it takes up too much of my energy.
Literally, I think I’m going mentally insane. I think I need help
hahaha… been suffering this terrible condition for as long as i can remember. really gets me down, its just so hard to talk about to others, and noone can ever imagine what it is like unless they experience it.
I avoid hanging out with friends in fear of getting a funky rash on the side of my face, neck, chest and shoulders. When confined to social situations, heat and alcohol really set me off, ahhh.. the joys of life!!! It really is so ridiculous, why does it happen??
hereditary? spiritual? think a bit of both. Its taken me so long to pluck up enough courage to talk to my doctor ha ha and he pretty much laughed at me and said maybe you should just avoid social situations!! bloody hilarious.. ok i will live the rest of my life hiding in a box. What is the point???
People really need to be more educated on this terrible condition i suppose, but we’re all to scared to express ourselves about it. I can a mirror around with me everywhere i go so I can keep an eye on it. see if it sneaks up on me. ha ha silly, to be petrified of of a red rash coming to engulf me!!
ha ha I’ve even got it now just talking about it. so dumb.
I’ve heard anti histamines work, does anyone know about it?
There is a natural anti histamine called quercitin that I have been taking for about a week now hasn’t seemed to do anything yet though so not sure it works or not, maybe I should up my dose.
Maybe we are all just selfish people and If we spent more time putting more emphasis on others rather than constantly being concerned about was is happening to ourselves it wouldn’t happen so much.
I get scared that if I tell others about it, they will constantly be on the look out for it to happen which will make it even worse. It is the most ridiculous thing ever, It is the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I think about before I fall asleep at night.
Maybe should all get together and have a competition who can go the reddest!! ha ha.
I can not tell you how relieved I was to find this page! I’m not the only one that this happens to!.
My blushing started in primary school when a teacher put me on the spot, I got her question wrong and the class laughed at me. I never again put up my hand in a classroom setting without blushing afterward.
It was worse when I was younger but as I am getting older (I’m 25 now) it is happening less frequently, I don’t know if that’s because I care less now or that I am avoiding the situations that are my trigger. My triggers are a small group or intimate setting even if they are close friends, randomly anywhere anytime, in staff meetings or weirdest of all EVERY TIME I have to answer my front door!.
man! blushing is sooooo annoying. my dad has this shop right, and i want to help him and all but i cant because i blush like hell when teenagers come in. I’m okay with older people but when teenagers come in. my face goes so red i feel like its burning.
I’m still in school and i can speak to the class and all. i even won a competition. but when it comes to going to the shops or outside or working. i go really red. i get so scared of the shop its stupid. you know its like you don’t want to but it comes out. i told my friends and they understand the blushing and all, but why get scared of working if the blush goes away. but that’s the thing it doesn’t go away.
Sometimes i feel like this is how I’m going to be all my life. I’ve made plans. I’m gonna work with animals when i grow up instead of people. if that doesn’t work then my life is gonna be so hard.
I’ve read all your comments and i laughed at some because its true. its just us unlucky ones that have to deal with this problem. and the rest can get the chance to watch our humiliation.
life usually sucks when I’m blushing but at least there are some good things in life.
Thank god!
This condition must be hereditary, or could it be learned? My mother, my sister, my son, and my daughter all suffer, as well as myself. The blushing and redness is embarrassing and random.
I, too, am shocked and relieved that there are others out there, but how can we overcome this? Is there an absence of skin pigment, or is it spiritual, or what? My face never tans, and I always wish I had something to hide behind: different color skin, makeup, long hair,
It must be hereditary, because my dad’s face get red easily, too. I think it’s caused by a lot of exercise, because my face get super red when I run, too. Exercise makes the blood vessels expand, and makes them expand easily whenever you are scared. I play a lot of sports, so I’m sure that’s why.
I’m just glad I’m not the only person who has it, because I feel like a freak around all my friends. It doesn’t help being in eight grade now, because I can’t even make eye contact with guys anymore. I also used to be good at oral presentations, but now I try to avoid talking in front of lots of people, because my face will turn beet red. I’m not exactly sure what to do, because I’m really shy, so just trying to overcome blushing would be a huge step.
wow! This feels so good that I’m not in this alone! Its getting to the point of ridiculous. Even when someone says my boyfriends name I go bright red and if someone brings it up I go more red. I have always been shy but I think that I would most likely over come this if I didnt blush all the time. I try to avoid social occasions and like to go to places like the movies because its dark. I know this sounds stupid but its ruining my life.
I am considering hypnotists but I don’t want to break it to my parents. Last time I said something to my mum she was like eh its not a big problem and she doesn’t understand.
Can someone please help me?
This is so wonderful to know that im not the only one.
My face turns red when :
- I am in a work meeting
- I am at a work station where its open and people can directly see you (open space )
- when i see someone i haven’t seen in a long time
- when someone talks to me
- when someone asks me something and i don’t know the answer
I am the type of person that will talk about anything ! i mean anything in front of people. its like i’m not myself, i say whatever , but then i turn red. then someone points it out and it gets worse. it ruins my whole day and makes me feel lower than everyone else.
i am gonna try going to the doctors and getting some medication. but i am gonna try to fix it in between by going to a psychologist.
It really has an impact on my self esteem, but sometimes i get so mad at myself for turning red or avoiding situations because i will turn red , that i force myself and it really does help a little bit.
Thanks for listening,
Amy
yamous_@hotmail.com
I have just recently started to blush frequently for no apparent reason. It only happens at work when I talk to colleagues (I remind you this never use to happen – same people) I can’t seem to deal with talking to people in small or large groups and in one to one situations without going scarlet red.
The company has recently moved buildings and this is around the same time I have started going red. Help, what is going on and how can I stop this. I have a presentation to make next week and am dreading it .
OMG!!! I have suffered with this since I was at school and I am now 30, I work in a very public environment and the littlest thing sets off my blushing. Its a nightmare. It helps to discuss this with people who suffer from this too as i don’t think other people really understand. I try to be very outgoing but am very aware of my condition. i have always tried to avoid situations that make my condition worse, but in my job it is inevitable it is going to happen. Its very annoying as I enjoy my job and don’t want to give it up (the money especially
I do find myself avoiding certain situations though, especially dating and speaking up in large groups. I do find it holds me back from simple things in life. I’ll even find myself blushing just sitting opposite someone on a train or bus, which leads me to dread taking public transport How weird is that???
I would never consider surgery, but I am still looking for something that will improve my condition. Can anyone help!!! The only thing I have found so far that seems to improve my condition is when i have a hangover..lol, then it doesn’t seem to be that bad. I cant live my life getting drunk though, can I??
I am 45 and I remember the heat and redness of my chest, neck, cheeks and arms way back in the 8th grade!!! I used to get so nervous in history class just hoping the teacher would not call on me!! He sent me to the office several times and finally they called my mom and demanded she take me to the doctor.
The doctor told me and my mom that I just wear my emotions on my skin. I have specific triggers that 100% of the time will make me break out in this and then there are just random things as well. Like worrying about my kids or husband when they are driving home and might be 5 or 10 minutes late, trying to get somewhere on time but running a little late (which happens A LOT), anticipating the phone to ring when I know someone is going to be calling, and tons of other examples I could give but you would just quit reading!!
Anyway, I feel pretty good tonight to finally know the NAME of what I have had affecting me all of these years!
A couple of my younger sisters do the same thing, too, so I’m going to tell them what it’s called. Maybe we could get involved in group therapy (all of us from the same family! HAHA!)
Good luck to you all and I’m going to study more to find out what to do to help because having had this for this long has been WAY TOO LONG of a time!!!!
I’m just so depressed w/ all of this…….I’ve lived with hyperhidrosis for about 14 yrs (I’m 29)……….think my 6 yr. old has it also which is really hard for me to have her go through the same thing I’ve been struggling with for so many years
I’ve thought of going through surgery but scared of what might happen, i want to be there for my kids, wish i could just be normal.
I am 43 and have experienced the cycle of having a smile on my face and normal skin tone, then in a matter of seconds, my face, neck, chest and head (shaved, which makes it even more obvious) are bright red and hot. Then seconds later, someone says “Look at how pink his head is” or “Why is your face red?” and the redness gets redder and the heat gets hotter. My smile has gone and the whole situation switches to me trying to make excuses to find a restroom, or say “I need to take a call” to leave the room, or some other way to escape.
I completely agree with the person that said the social reaction is akin to saying “Why are you so fat?” I am not being hateful. I am not being a jerk. Why would anyone have a reason to call me out for having a red face? I fail to believe that they are concerned and trying to help me.
I have seen a multitude of doctors that have provided nothing wiser to me than to avoid spicy foods, avoid certain varieties of seafood, avoid MSG, avoid alcohol, stay cool, avoid the sun, etc. I can come up with those brilliant suggestions on my own. Of course, locking myself in a bathroom will help me achieve all of those suggestions, but is that how the medical community “solves” problems?
My promise to you is that, when I happen upon a viable, long-term and acceptable solution, I will post on every forum out there with my findings. My promise is that when I see you turn red and then wilt and leave the room, that I will, in private, offer my sincere understanding and share with you what I find.
Hi Guys,
I’m in the exact situation as all of you. I’m 28 and have suffered from this since I can remember. It especially happens in the following situations:
To top it off the main part of my job is public speaking so my daily life is quite stressful trying to anticipate and avoid situations where I know it will be triggered.
Today I went for an interview and I wasn’t nervous about the questions, instead I’ve spent the last weak in a panic over if I’ll go red or not!!!
I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news but I’ve tried propanolol and it didn’t work. I ended up taking 3 times the daily dose trying to get some result and still it didn’t make a difference.
I’m scared of surgery but I’m even more scared of spending the rest of my life avoiding situations where I know it will happen.
Good luck everyone, hope someone comes up with a cure soon!
Hi,
I have a few tips.
I work for a cosmetic company as a beautician, doing make-up and all sorts.
I have the same problem and to work with it in an industry like beauty is kind of not easy.
But I have lots of customers who are suffering from the same condition and some how it works out.
I am not a shy person at all, and even if I get red so what I don’t care.
when somebody mentions about my skin going red I quickly say that is a medical condition and make them feel ashamed about asking.
I joke about it with my friends and family, like saying, ohh… don’t make me blush or it runs in the family what ever you know. I like finding funny side of this because it becomes less series.
Anyway I hope someone will come up with something and be the millionaire, and we will all have a peace of life.
good luck to you all
I didn’t know that I would blush until I was in 4th grade and my teacher noticed it and said that I was red and told the class to all look at me because I was blushing so everybody was starring at me. I remember perfectly well were I was sitting and I am twenty seven years old now, it was in the middle of the class and i kept turning more red and I know that because my teacher kept saying it so that lasted about a couple of minutes until he had is laugh of the day.
From that day on I have fear of public speaking I hate getting put on the spot because I think I’m red and as I think I’m red I feel I’m getting more red and then I start to sweat now. I really do think I have this condition and hope for someday over come it, because It is very uncomfortable when people are looking at you trying to figure out why your blushing or how red your turning.
I am 28 years old and have had this same condition since I was in the 7th grade. It’s comforting to read that other people go through this same thing. I had no idea how common it is. When i was in school I used to get sooo embarrassed because my face would turn bright red and the anxiety would kick in like crazy. I shied away from ever putting myself in the spot light.
Now as an adult I work in a very public and professional career. Turning red doesn’t happen nearly as often as it used to, but it still does torment me at times.
I think it’s highly related to anxiety, which I also have. It’s also related to worries that other people will look down on me in some way, and even more so for turning red. I used to worry that other people would think I was insecure, which for the most part, I’m not (used to be, I’ve come a long way). Also, if you’re fair complected or blood vessels are close to the skin.
I think what helps me through this is just realizing, this is part of who I am. There really isn’t much I can do to change it, except to accept it. If I turn red, whatever. I’m going to continue living and enjoying my life and don’t want to dwell on it. If anyone else has a problem with me turning red, it is exactly that, their problem.
Already wrote a comment, but wanted to add. I don’t know if there’s a cure, but there are ways to make your life better and be able to live with this.
I’ve found that it helps if you just tell people you have this condition and take the white elephant out of the room. You can laugh about it and let them know that if you’re turning a few different shades of purple, it’s okay, and you’re not going to pass out!! Then, if it happens, you’ve already discussed it, and you don’t have to worry about what they’re thinking.
I am so happy that I’m not alone. I always thought that I was the only person in the world who would blush frequently.
I’m 16, and this problem started to occur around about when I was 14. My blushing used to be terrible at the start of the problem but it’s actually starting to get better. When the problem was at its peak, I was lower than low. I would avoid any sort of social situation and make up silly excuses to not go out with my friends.
Now I just try and relax and think to myself “You only live once, life is full of risks and challenges, I can’t let this problem bring me down!”
When I say things like this to myself and remind myself of all the positives in my life, it makes me feel so much better, and I forget about my blushing. I just think its all about self-esteem. You need to have the confidence in your inner body to be able to say “I WONT BLUSH” and hopefully you won’t.
I was missing out on things because of this annoying, infuriating problem, and in the end I realized, I’m not letting this bugger bring me down!
Now I just live life to the full and forget about this problem. It still happens occasionally, and even when it does, I just laugh it off. After all, that’s the only thing you can do
My blushing started when I was in about grade 2 when I started to come out of my shy stage and it would turn red at the same kind of situations as all of you, when I would meet someone, see someone that I haven’t seen for awhile or when singled out, etc.
It gradually got better as I got older but was still there. When I just got in to high school, with it being a new environment and new people, I was so worried of turning red when reading or speaking out loud, that something else kicked into my nervous system. My face wouldn’t get red anymore but my heart would start pounding so fast and I could barely talk or speak whenever I would read out loud in class. I didn’t know what was wrong with me and this bothered me so much and I became very depressed and that’s all I thought about and I wasn’t that outgoing person that I was before.
My face never got red anymore, anytime at all which was good, but I hated this new thing way more then the face turning red. In the past 2 years of it being my last years in high school, I just got over that weird thing and my face gets red again sometimes. It still sucks when your face is beat red for no apparent reason, but it is way better then that other thing that came over me. I am back to that outgoing person and accepted that this happens sometimes. haha That’s my story, hope it helps!
I too have Erythrophobia, it started a few years ago!!! i hate it so much.. i have no confidence to do anything in front of people because I NO I WILL GO RED!!! its so horrible when i do because everyone like wooo shes gone sooo red which makes me go redder!! I would say I’m a shy person that problem doesn’t help!!!
I’m so fed up with it!!!
Hi All,
I don’t have any facial blushing secrets to share, but I can completely relate to the pain that you all feel!
Mark
Um, yeah.
I pretty much thought I was crazy.
Like, honestly, this has to be the weirdest thing that’s happened to me. I’m glad that I saw this. I mean, it doesn’t make me feel better that lots of people have to go through this same thing, but at the same time it makes me feel better that I’m not the only one.
Someone said something about how they hated going to their job and not being able to leave. I have the same problem. This one guy at my work caught me blushing once and pointed it out (which is the worst!). Every time he sees me he says something about it, so that if I wasn’t blushing, I start blushing. I get scared to go to work because I’m always embarrassed. I want to get a new job, but at the same time I don’t want to give up or give into this.
I used to have a problem with blushing, but now I’m terrified of it. It’s the worst at work, but I’ve started having problems at school, and I’m worried that I’ll start blushing at church, just hanging out with friends, or even (but hopefully not) at home.
I’m trying to be more confident and just realize it’s not that big of a deal, but it’s hard to think it isn’t. Being singled out is what makes me embarrassed, and I’m pretty much the only person I personally know who has a problem like this (which makes it even more awkward!)
I’m in year 10 and i started blushing in about year 7 or 8. The paragraph above perfectly describes how i feel and i find i have ‘good’ days and ‘bad’ days. I think now all my friends know i blush so much that they have got used to it, however when I’m in town or out i find it’s so embarrassing, i just wanna hide.
Also, I’m in a band (play drums) with 4 of my mates and when we first started i found it helped, as for some reason i didn’t blush when i was on stage – i think its because i wasn’t alone and seeing people rave to your music is a real confidence booster!
However now I’m finding it real difficult, i blush when im setting up my kit?! let alone on stage! I’m really worried about what will happen in the future, ive only ever just got on with it but its starting to take over.
Sometimes in class i start going red for no reason, like no one looking at me or anything?! and unless i move places or go out i stay like that for ages! anyone else find this?
I just hope i will grow out of it, and keep thinking that if i saw someone blush – would i see them as a bad person or someone weird?
…i’d like to just add in primary (lower) school i was by far one of the most confident kids in our year, i loved speaking and performing – the first time i blushed was in a music lesson in higher school when we were being recorded – i went bright red, then a girl pointed it out and everyone looked, it is the worst feeling in the world and the few weeks after that i remember everyone joking about it – since then its gotten worse and worse.
Just thought id add that to a previous comment because i think you can almost ‘catch’ it as you get older?
MY GOD
i AM NOT the only one!
I have exactly the same problem…
I would like to get the ets surgery. If it works i will start like a new life.
But there are so many side effects.
What do you think?
I’m not alone feels good. I really thought it was my confidence or i lost my outgoing side technically i have but i realized i am very outgoing and confident so whats the deal!?!?!? this started when i got my boyfriend who I’ve been dating for 6 months i sat home on thanksgiving bc my family doesn’t live near me and i knew if i was around my bf family i would blush so i decided not to go i feel like it could jeopardize us because i cant be around his family sometimes friends i just want my life back!!!!!! its a horrible thing to have if it is a phobia i read something about focusing on a imaginary ruler but it didn’t work and i read about a pill eredicane which i want to try even though its soooo expensive any ideas?
Interesting comments here.
I was a confident, outgoing person who was heavily involved in drama and film making. In my earlier years i was a keen debater and public speaker.
Then puberty hit on, I saw some photos of myself giving a speech and i discovered that i was covered in flush. My flush goes all across my chest, shoulders, neck and up the sides of my face. It seems to be activated by an increased heart rate, adrenaline or embarrassment.
As i have come increasingly aware of this symptom it has become increasingly bothersome and i now feel extremely vulnerable in any social situation. It has the potential to switch on in a flash and takes up to half an hour to disappear.
I feel anxious and panicky constantly.
This has ruined my drama and public speaking and made my job as a salesperson extremely stressful.
There are several things i have picked up which may or may not be helpful:
1. Physical exercise can make you flush at first but as you work more and more the blood goes to your limbs and will stay away from your face. Also if you are tense the exercise will help work the tension off. Running and press ups are ideal.
2. Wear a scarf.
3. Grow your facial hair
4. girls can put makeup on their cheeks.
5. I’m ashamed to say i have a drink or 5 before anything big (not advisable!). Or sometimes even something small.
I’m still waiting for the miracle cure…
just to add a little horror story to this collection.
A spin-off disaster to the redness is the sweating I talked about below.
I used to have hyperhidrosis which is excessive sweating. I would be in high school and would sit there in class as big drops of sweat would keep ticking away down my ribcage all day. Under stress like performances etc i would accumulate sweat patches the size of beach balls. I would always wear a sweater to hide it -even in the heat of summer.
I had a hankerchief thats sole purpose was to wipe my armpit. I would also bring a spare shirt to school to change into halfway through the day,
I went through a lot of really ridiculous pain before admitting to anyone i had a problem. I went privately to my gp who recommended a $7 bottle of Hydrosol that you apply like a roll on deodorant before you go to bed. In a couple of days i stopped sweating. Now i need only apply the hydrosol once every two weeks or so.
I mentioned the redness to the gp as well who was a little unsure. He suggested holding my breath for as long as possible (warning, this is not advisable!). I took his advice and just before I stepped out onstage for my drama performance, my heart pounding, face flushing, I held my breath for as long as i could and stepped out. My head went suddenly dizzy and i almost collapsed in front of everyone.
but i don’t sweat anymore
I am so happy I found this site. I have had this problem since about 6th or 7th grade (I am a sophomore in college now) and it really gets me down. In elementary I used to be so outgoing, but now I am shy and it’s really got my self confidence down. It happens to me in many situations, which sometimes can be completely random, but by now I know which ones will trigger it- sitting around the dinner table with family and being put on the spot, being called on in class, meeting new people. Mostly any unexpected situation.
This has seriously affected my life and I am not living up to my full potential because I am too scared my face will turn red. College is passing me by and I know I’ll regret not making friends and taking advantage of all the clubs I could join that could be helping my career. I’ve even based life decisions on trying to avoid this problem. I realize I must have social anxiety disorder and I need to see a psychologist so I can live my life and become successful instead of some shy office weirdo. I have a boyfriend and friends that I’ve known all my life, but I need to experience life instead of watching it pass me by! Lol, I’m done ranting now. Thanks for listening!
I have been dealing with severe facial blushing since I was about 14 or 15 years old. Like many of you have said, high school was a very daunting and excruciating experience for me because in certain classes I would blush constantly. Because of the blushing I began to talk negatively to myself and to this day I still have to stop myself for being so critical.
I began taking anti-anxiety and anti-depression pills around 15 or 16 and continued taking them for 10 years. The pills eased the anxiety, which in turn eased the blushing. BUT I still blushed. Taking a pill is by no means a cure for this annoying physiological trait. Besides, to make it work you’re supposed to talk to a psychiatrist while taking the pills. I would see my psychiatrist for about 5 minutes (long enough for him to write an Rx) and that was it.
About a year ago I stopped taking any medication because I was tired of relying on them when they weren’t even really working. This has been the hardest year for me. Not only did I stop taking the pills (and they are habit forming, no matter what those commercials say!), I moved across country, started a new job, quit the new job, and decided to apply for Grad School. Because of all these new changes, my anxiety level has been extremely high, therefore I can’t even go a day without blushing. Even at home, alone, with no one around to make fun of me, I still blush. FOR NO REASON AT ALL! That’s the most annoying part about it. It’s not out of embarrassment, my face just turns red.
I just started seeing a pyschotherapist whose practice is based in a more holistic way of looking at things. I’ll let you all know if there’s any progress in that. I think by talking, blogging, writing, or just getting on these forums helps to release some stress. And just knowing that there ARE others out there. That I am not alone. I am not a freak. Knowing that others deal with this same thing, helps.
I’m also looking into how acupuncture can help with anxiety and facial blushing. Will post details if successful. Cheers!
My facial blushing is controlling my life. It keeps me away from doing the things I want. I’m a senior in highschool so there are many social events. I want to take part in them, but it’s hard when you know there will be situations when you turn red. School is the worst for me now. I used to love school and learning but now I find myself skipping classes if I think were doing something that will make me turn red. My blushing has gotten worse throughout life now knowing when I’m about to blush or am blushing. Anytime I am called on in class, I instantly turn very red creating an awkward uncomfortable situation. Eryhthraphobia restricts me from learning, meeting new people, having fun, and just being myself. This makes things like dating impossible. Just the thought of going red makes me red. I’ve yet to even see anyone that gets red like me in the most stupid situations. I have a severe case of erythraphobia and I need help. I have been shy my whole life an I think I have psychological problems. I feel like because of this I can neve be succesful in life. If someone has any kind of advice or methods that worked for them please post them. Do medication or hypnosis really help?!?!
thanks God I found this term from Grey’s Anatomy and now I know I am not alone. I got this after I had a bad marriage life. I felt so totally insecured and during that time I had all blushing. couldnt breath properly. almost fainted everytime I got anxiety on whatsoever! now I passed through that bad marriage life and alone… however, this symtom happened when I had to be the center of attention e.g. Public speaking.. OMG… anyone please help me get over this! totally,please!
I am so happy that I found this site, and that there are actually people that go through the same thing. I mean my family know that I blush and that’s kinda about it for what they know, I don’t think that they get everything that’s going on with me like in my mind I want it to stop and it just won’t. I’m a freshman in college now and it definitely holds me back, I had a great time in high school but there were things that I wanted to do but I was too afraid. And then it wouldn’t help when I would have to go up and speak for a project in the front of class, I actually end up not saying everything I want to because I hate the feeling because I can’t control it. For me it’s not just my face that feels like a million degrees, it’s my arms, my back and my chest, they get red and blotchy. And the worst part is I do all that and I rush to my seat, sit down, and try to relax, but then of course someone next to me is like “Do you know your face is really red?” I mean really it’s not like I go up to you and say “You’re really ugly did you know that?” I course I know it, I feel like I’m on the sun. And I know that it’s just going to get harder for me, right now I’m only at a community college, but next year I’m transferring to a different school, I’m going to be living on campus and I am so afraid of that because it also happens whenever I meet new people. And it’s just going to be the same thing over and over again, and I don’t want to deal with that. I feel like I’m going to end up shutting myself off during one of the best times in my life, and I don’t want that to happen. I know that I need to get over it because later on I’m going to need to be comfortable talking to new people, I’m going to need to do interviews and be able to talk to people, what happens if I get married, I would need to be able to be the center of attention and stand in front of a church of people and be at the reception where people are going to be watching me and my husband for a day. I don’t know if I could do that. And I know that you’re supposed to do public speaking, yeah it sounds easy but trying to do it is hard. Then there’s trying to talk to guys, and that seems impossible sometimes, because it’s written all over your face. There is this guy I’ve known since second grade and it still happens. I absolutely hate this, there are those questions where they ask what you’re afraid of and I think it’s so said that I pick public speaking over me being afraid of dying.
Wot im not totally alone…..im 29 and have had excessive blushing since i can remember…in fact i remember i was in national school about 11 when it first happened and the teacher said the you always know when someone does something wrong because they go red..and i still remember thinking oh my god thats so true and thats where it began!!..
Ive kind of learned to control it to an extent but still do the following
-Blush when i meet someone in a shop or wherever, although i can usually control it if im out in the cold(anyone else familure with this!???)
- if someone asks me a question in work, could be so small like ‘how was your weekend?’
- i hate and avoide sitting down for dinner with people, or anywhere ..public transport etc..
-i have been know to have an alcholic drink to prevent the blushing!-how bad is that!??
-in meetings
-with my own family
i try and avoide suitation where ill get embarressed as much as i can..
Im very confident person, i think people associate blushing with shy people which isnt true at all…..does anyone else sit in their living room with just a lamp on as the main light is too bright and theres less chane of your red face being obvious……….or go for dinner in a restraunt/pub where you know the light is dark!..
god i just realised how bad this is!!……….it really ruins my life and i would pay thousands to fix this…….i feel like im holding back and i dont say what i really feel in a conversation for fear of getting embarressed……been for hypno once but never bothered going back….may try again soon…
xx
My face turns as red as a tomato whenever the teacher call out my name.I have it bad , is there any other possible cure??
hey Paulina same my goes so red u wouldn’t believe it and i look every day for cures if i find one or find one that helps ill let u know
Hi everyone,
I hope everyone gets to read this because my condition has gotten better..
I’m so glad (not to say I’m happy you all have it), but as many of you have said, I’m glad I’m not the only one!
I was a pretty shy kid as I was growing up, until middle school, then I started being more outgoing. Then after my first year of high school, it started.. and to make along story short, I moved after my second year of high school, and it started the first day of class. I remember like a few times before I moved that I had blushed, but I’m pretty sure those were just regular blushing (being embarrassed or something) but then again, they were things that shouldn’t even be embarrassed about, so sometimes I think maybe that was the early sign of this condition.
I’m so glad I’ve finally found an actually name for this too now..
SO I went through this throughout high school, then decided to come back to my hometown for college. and thought maybe being in a familiar place and/or with old friends would help. it both did and didn’t.. in some situations it got worse (and I’m also pretty amazed about how similar all our “triggers” are). and because of this my first year of college was pretty much isolated, which is such a shame, because it is really a wonderful experience.
So I randomly decided I would go see a psychologist, and did..but she wasn’t much help so I think it also depends on the care you get. Some just don’t understand, which some of the doctors mentioned here on this forum, was just ridiculous! what kind of doctors and medical professionals do we have……….
Anyways..
So, I got really fed up at one point (even though I already was, I felt I had enough “freedom” and didn’t need to rely on parents for these medical things, and felt I just really needed to do something. because like i said i became a lot more outgoing then suddenly this happened, and it made me waste so much of my time and worry about this, unfortunately some of you many more years than me).
SO, moving on …. i started doing more serious research, and decided to just go to a doctor, well nurse practitioner anyway.and explain symptoms, and even other things that was going on in my health(both psychologically and physically), just in case if they were associated with one another). She did the regular check-up, and checked my thyroid, my blood count..and i Believe one other thing, but i can’t remember at the moment, and said there was nothing bad with the tests, and recommended I see a counselor..or psychologist..or therapist..etc.
I got an appointment with a counselor on campus, which was nice because it was both effective and cheap..(haha)
I went to go see her, and thought she wouldn’t understand when she started saying things like “You know, in some situations it shouldn’t seem so bad, because it would think that you might be attracted to the other person when you are blushing” (which i was like whoa, I don’t want to be blushing weather i am or am not attracted to this person. and how about the people that are like yeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaars older or younger than me, or even of the same gender (in my situation because I’m not homosexual). i wouldn’t want them to think that i am attracted to them, that’s insane! so..i started worrying about that).
She also related other symptoms plus blushing, to Anxiety,(though she couldn’t quite point out which one, because my situation is so random and can be associated with any of the Anxiety types i guess). which makes sense.
But then she started asking me about trauma in my life, and I told her one of the things i went through, and it is amazing how much opening up and some one just listening really helped.
then during our last session before classes got out she asked if i was going anywhere, and at the time we were going to where i had moved to before, to see family and friends during the summer. and she said “just remember, put on your crazy,wild, side, and have fun!”
and that’s what i did during the summer. and before it i started getting so anxious about how i might not be able to, and if i didn’t that summer, how this would once again happen the following year in college again).
that summer, i rarely remember being red or splotchy, all of the above? and it was great. and I LEARNED that even when it did happen, by just trying your best to IGNORE it (even though i know is really hard), eventually the temperature you feel and the redness others see starts to fade as you try your best to carry on the conversation, or whatever it is. it’s basically just trying to run through a war ground with your sword out and your mind not caring (even though that sounds kind of violent), it’s basically just pushing through whatever you have to.
So after the summer, i started my second year, and it was amazing how much it had gotten better, (although not totally gone), it had improved and gone towards more “normal” situations of blushing.
It’s not totally gone, it sometimes comes back and the anxiety just hits and I’m afraid of turning red, but that’s the thing, you have to focus your attention on something else. and keep going. Sometimes I can’t even do this myself when I get hit with the worry of “oh my gosh I’m going to go meet this person” or “this person just said something that’s about me, or asked me a question, what’s my face and body going to do?” but I’m, so happy that’s the redness has decreased in certain topics/places/people.
so what i would recommend aside from seeing someone (doctor,psychologist)?
-I’m not sure if being spiritual has anything to do with this, but If you do believe in a higher power, then I would definitely ask for help..maybe worshiping or doing certain things in your belief, might help you be more accepting in yourself.
-do muscle relaxation techniques associated with Anxiety; what I found helpful was this book called “The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook” fourth edition, by Edmund J. Bourne,Ph.D. (definitely go check it out a bookstores or wherever)
-try to keep your focus on something else during conversations, maybe keep a rubber band around your wrist, and snap it when it starts to happen( a little weird but I’ve read it works, I’ve tried with a hair band,eh, it’s 50-50..i just don’t remember to do it sometimes, but it may work for some of you)
-try to be someone else, or someone you would like to be, or were before this awkward blushing started. especially in places that you don’t know people (cashiers, info. desks, bus stops, or even just on the telephone when getting technical help or customer service! etc..).
-herbal stuff. i had so idea that coffee could help before this forum, because coffee tends to make your nerves all jittery so i was always that it would make it worse in social situations, but who knows! for me herbal tea (especially things with berries worked pretty good). but I’m willing to give that coffee a try (it’s here somewhere in this forum up there..)
-what does not help for me is making eye contact, which i really wish i could do more often, because i wouldn’t want people to think i am not being sincere, or lying , or not listening. but making less eye contact, and even better looking a different direction helps me…like if someone is standing by me and i am sitting, i face the same way they are facing and once in a while look at them to acknowledge them that i am listening)..
-if you’re up for it go take a DANCE CLASS! you already get read and a little sweaty, and plus you don’t talk as much, you just move, it’s great.
I’m trying to remember things, but this is all i got for now, hopefully this somewhat helps. i find that just trying your best to ignore it helps so much. i wish i knew the term for that type of therapy..
I also remember reading somewhere in here about hypnosis (which would be so awesome if there was something like that out there that would help with this thing), like how this person said they turned red just by listening to the tapes, if you’re reading this, did you continue listening after realizing your red, or just quit? if you just quit go on and see what happens? especially since your by yourself, just accept what is going on with your body that moment and just see what happens.
So like I said, just by these simple? maybe not so simple things I’ve been so much better, (it’s not completely gone, but I’m hoping it will be!) it might be a little lighter on your shoulders…and on your face (haha).
i really wish i could remember anything else right now..but can’t..
if you can..go take a vacation and be show your “crazy, wild, side” =) ..and forget about your worries. and that biggest worry….might be the blushing.
let’s at least all be grateful we don’t have anything worse..
please let me know if this has helped you or if you have any questions. and even better if you have any other solutions to be completely “cured”!!
realdumblilblub@yahoo.com
and..don’t mind the e-mail name..it’s my crazy side =P
Thank you for reading, and good luck to you all!!
I have experienced this for many years. Mine is so severe that the flushing occurs even when I am alone. Sometimes I am aware of it and other times I am not.
I am a teacher and speak in the public ALL the time. This has never helped alleviate the flushing. I just tell people it is because of a medication and carry on with my problem. Worrying will make it worse, so I just try and relax and get on with
my life.
I never knew this existed……I’ve always complained to my doctors about getting hives on my chest and neck when I’m in social situations, drink alcohol or in the sun. They said there was nothing that could treat it and didn’t even tell me about this phobia.
I’m a red head so I figured that was part of having fair skin. I do have bad anxiety about large social gatherings with people……even people I’ve known for years. I’ve had bad anxiety my whole life.
I have to put makeup all over my neck and chest when I go to social gatherings.
I’m on anti depressants so you think that would help…..but the older I get the worse it gets.
Has anyone tried Hypnotherapy for this?
P.S. It’s so nice to know I’m not alone!!
I’m in 8th grade and i have to be dealing with the blushing problem.I hate speaking in front of people because i know I’m gonna blush and at the end someone’s gonna tell me about it.I just wish i didn’t have to blush and that would make my life a little easier.When someone tells me I’m blushing it just makes it worse =(! People always make fun of me and tell me i look like a tomato! I hate my life when that happens.And its sooooooo embarrassing!!!!!!!!
So I stumbled upon this site while doing some homework for human anatomy- Ever since I can remember, I have always blushed- at everything, and just like all of you, someone would mention it, and it would get worse. Now I’m 25, and I still blush occasionally. But I have it under control. The best thing that helped me- was in 7th grade my older sister convinced me to take drama! It forced me to get up and not only talk in front of people, but actually perform. It turns out it was something that I enjoyed. And all through High school I performed. It taught me not to be so self conscious! and to be goal oriented. I realized there was more important things to worry about than my face. And Surprisingly- once I stopped thinking about it,it wouldn’t happen so much. This is something that you will have to live with your whole life- So don’t waste it by worrying. You have the ability in you to change how you think, and how you react. With a positive attitude, and some hard work- you’ll have this phobia licked in no time. Believe me, I was there once. And you know what they say- it takes an addict to cure one.
Hello my blushing buddies:
Since last I wrote many things have changed. My face still gets red, so don’t get your hopes up yet… BUT, the feeling of wanting to be a total recluse in order to avoid social situations has abated.
At the beginning of the year I began to feel myself gravitate towards agoraphobia. I didn’t want to be around anyone or do anything because I was so afraid of being stuck in a situation where my face would get red, and then if it turned red all I would do was think about how much I hated it being red, thus perpetuating the cycle of redness. I finally broke down and found a psychologist who specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Right now I am in my 9th week of therapy and I am being exposed to all sorts of interesting modes of treatment.
Because my anxiety stems from and is directly linked to whether or not my face is red, part of the treatment is to purposely make my face red and do different behavioral tests. For example, one of my fears was of being in a room with bright lights and having to hold a conversation with someone b/c at any moment I knew my face would turn red. So for therapy, the Dr. had someone come in and I had to have a conversation with this stranger under the glare of bright lights. During this time I rated my anxiety level and how much I thought I was blushing and so did the person who I was having the conversation with. Interestingly enough, the majority of the time the person commented that she didn’t think that I was blushing.
I chose this example of my therapy b/c it’s important to recognize that the heat sensation that we feel does not always mean we are blushing. But, if you are like me and have had people in your life who comment (sometimes rather rudely) about your face being red, it’s hard to break the association between the heat sensation and the actual blushing. Make any sense? So that means, there are some times when we feel a little warm in the cheeks, but it may not be recognizable to others. Unfortunately, that warmth often increases as we begin to worry about the horrible feeling of the full-on redness, which in turn makes the redness inevitable.
So first, stop doing safety checks. An example of a safety check would be checking in the mirror to see if you’re blushing. Once I stopped checking all the time I realized that if no one said anything to me, there was no way that I could actually KNOW that I was blushing. If I didn’t have actual concrete evidence of my face blushing (and the heat feeling is not evidence) then who was I to say if I was blushing or not? By NOT looking in the mirror, I stopped mentally beating myself up. I stopped disappointing myself when I saw two fire red cheeks, and a ruddy nose and chin. If I didn’t see it I couldn’t 100% say that I was blushing.
Second, stop avoiding situations. By avoiding you are teaching your brain that those situations are “bad” and that there is reason for panic. I know this one is hard. It is still really hard for me, but getting better. I find the more I suck it up and do whatever it is I am avoiding, the more I realize that I can make it through the situation without completely falling apart. For me the anticipation of the event creates more anxiety then the actual event that I’m anxious about.
Third, if someone comments on your red face, just act as if it’s the most normal thing in the world. At first it will be really hard. But the more often you say “Oh, my face is red? I didn’t notice” the sooner you’ll believe it yourself. I know this one can be particularly hard for high school age kids. Your peers are so insensitive at that age and making fun of others is the ultimate defense mechanism. But at least as you get older you’ll run into people who are more understanding and less likely to make fun of you. Some are, but not all;)
That’s all the advice I have so far. I’ll keep posting about my experiences of my therapy if it’s helpful to others. And if you feel you need therapy I would definitely recommend CBT (feel free to ask questions). I think we have all been trained to think so negatively about ourselves when our faces turn red. But the more we can normalize it, the better it will become! Like so many of you have said, it’s nice to come to this website and share stories and read about other experiences. When you get down about your facial flushing, just remember there are so many people in the world that feel the exact same way. I know it makes me feel a little bit better.
Cheers,
M
My fellow blushers: SO GLAD I FOUND YOU….It’s worst when you know you’re blushing but no one around you will tell you because they’ll feel uncomfortable in the first place probably thinking they did something to cause it. I can’t even have a normal conversation with my professor without blushing! (even if all we are talking about is a paper and he makes a joke) Running into someone I know, and have you noticed it’s easier when you’re out in the cold….you just are able to control it so much better and also when it’s dark too
if anyone has a technique of decreasing thier incidences, PLEASE share with us…i’d love your input…thanks and talk to you soon
i have this problem when i was younger but as i aged, it was just gone naturally… Facing and talking to a lot of people helps…
omg! i have this and I’m only 16…i get it a lot at school. when a boy speaks to me, even if he is just a friend, or when a teacher calls on me in class, I feel like the entire world i focused on me. i don’t get it! i feel my face hot, but i never know if it is…can someone please tell me if there is a way to cure that???
you know Hanna, i dont know of a cure for this. i know that it happens to me daily and all i want to do is run away if it is in front of a group of people or boy i like or dont like! i think it’s all in our head and when we feel it coming on when the teacher calls on you, dont get negative. think positive and think “why am i worrying about it?” if you think about it that way, it’ll usually get better but that has been my problem. i try to think positively about it. its just so embarassing!
I think no one has explained WHY that happens… i mean, if it comes by fear, the body tends to drain blood from the stomach area or so I’ve heard, is a reaction from fear or the get stricken (something like a primitive defense mechanism to prevent loss of blood when attacked). i might be wrong but that fear is a blast from the past… something left in our DNA and some of us humans react or are more afraid..
now…. in most situations… i don’t feel fear, that just might be subconscious like someone said.. i wouldn’t know if my face is red if ppl in the same room haven’t told me.
i wish i didn’t get it… is like giving away stuff… is a lill depressing but i get by
i cant believe there are alot of people that get this aswell , i go bright red so randomly infront of close friends and family , and even having conversations makes my face turn red even if im not embaressed ?????? is there a cure
it helps to know that there are people out there with this aswell !