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!

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!

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 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…

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?