Fear of blushing

LegacyUser

Has anyone suffered from blushing, over blushing and it ruining social situations?

I have and have for a long time dealt with this but it only seems to be getting worse. I am a very outgoing person but there are certain situations that cause me to blush and its quite noticeable. I cant have a one on one conversation with anyone without becoming conscious of my tendency to blush. For no reason, I'll just blow up like a tomato and it causes great embarrassment and fear of other future situations. I cant go to a meal with anyone without going red in the face. One on one social situations are horrible for me as I feel all the attention is on me and away I go with redness in the face. The other people must think I am weird. I have many friends and am very outgoing but I just fear one on one conversations in well lit up areas, like work.
If I'm going into a room to have a one on one conversation with anyone, social or work I always try put myself at the window, so the light is in the other persons eyes, it deflects the attention away from my face, they cant see my face in clear light of day so to speak... I try open windows even if its freezing outside because I feel if Im cold, it doesnt affect me as much. I have fans blowing into my face etc ... its mad, typing this out I can see how much this does actually affect me Pubs and clubs are fine cause its dark'ish, but any bright areas, I'm screwed.

If anyone has any experience with this, plz give your thoughts. This is a phobia more than anything now, I avoid some situations nowadays which aint good!

ihsb

Both my mother and myself have suffered with this.

Mam went to the doctor, it was anxiety and blood pressure. I think she was given something to clam her down in stressful situations like interviews so she doesn't go red.

I still go red. Most people find it endearing. It is something that pale skinned people have to put up with. So therefore in Ireland it seems to happen a lot more then in most places.

With mine I can feel it all over my body. I try to take a few, not noticeable, deep breaths. This calms down my heart so my blood isn't going around too much. Layers means I get warm so maybe take of your cardigan to try to cool you down so that you give yourself a chance to go a bit paler.

Also it gets worse when you worry about it. I don't anymore. It is me so I deal with it. No one will care, no one will think you are strange, they might slag you but it is light-hearted. The less you care about it and are comfortable in your skin the less it will happen. If this is not the case then try the doctor! Good luck!

Arequipa

Hey! Ya poor thing! I have suffered from this and still do a bit from time to time.
The thing is you have to learn to go through this fear and out the other side.
You have to look yourself in the mirror and say; i am going to go and if I blush so what? I would even go so far as to try and make yourself blush...completly give in to the anxiety and say, 'Yep I am blushing: so what!'
Even say to people: bloody hell, I am feeling hot etc,...
Most people really dont car or really notice.
truth is most people are more worried about themselves than u blushing.
Some might notice & probably think: u are a nicer, kinder,person!

Thing is; when you fear blushing you can control the blood vessels in your face and when the anxiety builds the balloon bursts and the vessels fill your face with blood: so you have to accept this fact and completely give in to the anxious attempt not to blush!
If you feel yourself blushing, think yep, I am blushing; so what and continue to focus on the present moment:
1) look people in the eye.
2) listen to what they say
3) observe sights, sounds, smells around you; Be Mindful!!

when you blast through this fear and out the other side: u will go out with the attitude that; yep I may blush, but who cares...then u will conquer the phobia!
Truth is at some point in your life, whether u like it or not, u will blush.... dont try and stop it or hold it; go out and live your life!

Mink

+1 to the poster above.

I used to get this awful in school (I'm very pale), mega redners, and kids can be cruel and it set me up for a phobia of it also.

Girls have a bit of an advantage in that they can wear their hair down & wear make up.

I've found that it rarely happens now as I don't fight it, if it happens when I'm talking to someone (& it'll just happen sometimes, I might think of something stressful or I'm too warm, or have had a glass of wine etc) I just ride over it. If I don't draw attention to it, they don't.

I'm late twenties and I'm now at the point where I really don't care what others think if I blush (I generally am not interested in what others think of me), therefore I rarely blush now.

It was a real pain in the arse when I was younger, I feel for you, it's crap and a lot of people don't have an inkling of what it's like or how it affects you.

PammyD

You should definately look into Hypnotherapy.. It can help all sorts.. My Dad is a Hypnotherapist and had helped people with lots of ailments.. Worth a think anywayz

Ironmaiden11

You may need a trial of a ssri- like prozac an antidepressant/ antianxiety medication as it sounds like you have some social phobia- fear of being judged etc. Consider it an option.

Ardennes1944

I had this problem majorly throughout secondary school OP. Im ginger too so i looked like a tomatoe! It only took the slightest thing out of the ordinary such as someone calling my name in a place with a few others etc. I thought i would never stop blushing so essily but yano what....i just kinda grew out of it. I still do blush now and again when attention is drawn my way in front of many but it happens to most.
You'll grow out of it i have no doubt