Fear of blushing

[katem723]

Hi, does anyone else have a debilitating fear of turning bright red in front of other people? I am so embarrassed of showing emotion in social situations. I have done this before, like when the attention is suddenly put on me or someone says something I don't agree with or something that embarrasses me, I turn bright red and people have actually said something about the fact that I am so red. This makes me even more embarrassed and fear social situations and avoid them if I can. Is there any medication that would prevent this from happening? Does anyone else go through this?

[Nel01073]

Hi katem. I can totally relate. It started happening about a year ago and I just want it to go away. It happens even when im not embarrassed. I just start to think what if it happened right now what will they think of me if it did etc. Even though it still happens its not as often as it used to. I just decided that no matter what happens I wont beat myself up for it. I try even if its hard to just focus on whats happenin g around me and on what im doing. If it happens it happens. I know its easier said than done but if I hide and dont expose myself to those situations it makes it worse. Its kind of like a panick attack if youre not scared of it it wont happen.

[perspectivegirl]

Hey Katem, I can also 100% relate. I have rosacea, so when I blush it sort of looks like this crazy almost rash on my cheeks, then it spreads down my neck as well. It's really embarrassing to me, but usually people don't even notice. Or they laugh lightly and call me a cherry-face or strawberry. They laugh at it which makes me think I should just laugh about it too. You can't help that you're going to blush sometimes. It's not going to hurt you, it'll be alright. If it happens, oh well, you'll be blushing. That's all.

[katem723]

Today, I had to go into the office (I usually work from home) for a meeting and was super anxious about turning red. Then, with the help of Lucinda's tapes, I decided that I needed to tell myself over and over in my head that it's ok if I turn red. And that totally took away my anxiety. I slept well, wasn't shaky while getting ready, didn't even take a Klonopin. And I didn't turn red the whole time I was there. It was amazing! ) I feel so free and like I want to be around people more now.

[Nel01073]

Thats great katem that you got out there and didnt let fear paralize you. Im sure if you keep practicing those feelings will go away.

[Iwillbebetter]

Way to go Katem!! And no meds either!! Congratulations!! As you said the feelings you get from it make you want to just do it again and again!! You should be proud of YOUrself!!

[Gigi123]

I dealt with this for a loooooong time. It still happens on occasion but really not that often. It's easy to get wrapped up in the "are they judging me, they can see I'm blushing, what if they notice?...." Something that helped me was changing my thoughts so that it wasn't all about me. So if I felt like someone was avoiding looking at me because I was blushing I would think "I feel sorry for her that I've made her uncomfortable," by making it someone else's problem, it'll take the pressure off of you. I would also try working on your self esteem, that's really where this stems from. Have you noticed that when you're feeling confident, it doesn't happen as often?