Blushing Advice

I went to the doctors today and filled her in about my social anxiety stemming from my severe blushing, and she said something which though sounds obvious to some, it has really helped me cope through the day at uni, she said most of the time when people blush the people that see it don't care whether you or don't and that they won't percieve as any less or weaker of a person. So just then in my mind it felt okay either way, if i did blush or if i didn't, because i lacked the fear, i found i focused less on it, and was able to throw myself in situations which i would otherwise i would not felt comfortable with.
Though it's simple to say, it has put things in perspective in my mind, and hopefully it will to those who read it

I think blushing is cute!! Don't sweat it and she's right. You are no lesser of a person just because you blush in these situations. If anything it makes you more aware of what is going on .

There's no problem with blushing. Lots of people with no SA problems do it. Is kind of think you can't do nothing about : ( Although can be quite sexy!

I really agree with this. Blushing is not bad to others, only to us blushers. At worst it may make some feel awkward, maybe as if they said something wrong, but that's it. People are naturally drawn to those who are sensitive and show their emotion either in a physical way or verbally.

tgates209 said:

I really agree with this. Blushing is not bad to others, only to us blushers. At worst it may make some feel awkward, maybe as if they said something wrong, but that's it. People are naturally drawn to those who are sensitive and show their emotion either in a physical way or verbally.

Click to expand...

you could be right,but your not especially if it happens in completely random or normal situations everyday life,then it sorta kills you everyday bit by bit,its cute if its natural,but totally awesome when someone starts asking are you feeling ok because you look like having a heart attack

You are absolutely right! I find blushing very difficult to control and cannot see how it could be considered cute in situations where it's just 'irrelevant'!
I'm glad to find other people who live with the same problem, I thought it was just me!

Yea, i haven't met a single person whos had a problem with a blushing person. Yea most people don't even care, so don't worry ^^

doesit said:

you could be right,but your not especially if it happens in completely random or normal situations everyday life,then it sorta kills you everyday bit by bit,its cute if its natural,but totally awesome when someone starts asking are you feeling ok because you look like having a heart attack

Click to expand...

Trust me, I know all too well those feelings. The best part is when I blush and people are looking at me like something bad happened. the worst is when people I regularly interact with begin to blush slightly when they get around me. Imagine, I blush so much it causes others to blush! Joy. Still, I do think that at the end of the day, people remember your traits and what type of person you are. I believe they view the blushing as a positive thing because they view you as a sensitive person. Even if they don't consciously think it, subconsciously they will feel more comfortable with you.

Blushing ruined my middle school years. I tried to ignore it, but people always commented negatively, "You're SO red!" Eventually, I gave up. Just tried to hide.

I felt it was an invasion of my privacy, the blushing. Like, I couldn't have a secret crush on a boy, as my blushing gave it away. For me it felt like my pants were randomly being jerked off in front of everyone all the time.

Basically, all I had to think was, "now would be a really bad time to turn red"
and I would.

I took Fs rather than speak in front of the class and when a couple of boys told me that they liked me, the blushing ruined it.

As I got older, I felt more judgement. Like, why aren't you over this by now?
I became a recluse, as much as possible.

Now that I am almost 50, I rarely blush. It's not that I'm less sensitive, or care less it just doesn't happen (one good thing about the aging process)
BUT I've gone a long time without socializing much, so I am awkward as hell.
The damage is done.

I always HATED to hear people say blushing was cute or sexy. It ruined my life.

inderal will help you guys..its a beta blocker and works great..

bsammy said:

inderal will help you guys..its a beta blocker and works great..

Click to expand...

Works great to reduce blushing? I might try it. Willing to try anything.

^^yes it works very well, easy to get online or from a doc..

Thanks, I'll try it soon.

Ugh, I can't speak to someone that isn't close close family without blushing, and I'm a guy. Sucks, doesn't it.

Perseids said:

Ugh, I can't speak to someone that isn't close close family without blushing, and I'm a guy. Sucks, doesn't it.

Click to expand...

Agreed.

I never knew there was a fear of blushing because I actually find it very attractive.

aquarius86 said:

I never knew there was a fear of blushing because I actually find it very attractive.

Click to expand...

its not seen as attractive to someone who has a severe blush due to nerves

It might be helpful to try what I recently discovered after suffering from uncontrollable blushing for around 30 years. It is simple really. Foundation to cover the face. A high-pigment foundation really does conceal the blush. Knowing that my blush will not be conspicuous and make me look like I'm panicking gives me the confidence to do what before gave me moments of terror and panic. Now I can teach my classes and talk to people in social situations much more easily than before. Ironically now that it won't be obvious when I blush, I hardly blush at all - it still happens now and then but I don't beat myself up about it because I know it is not making me look abnormal. I still feel uncomfortable talking in front of people to some extent but doing so is much easier than before. And the makeup actually makes my face look better in a way - though I believe it is quite evident to someone looking at me that I'm wearing it. But I don't mind because - well it's considered normal for a woman. I don't know why I didn't think of this method of dealing with blushing earlier (I'd tried beta blockers, cold water, wearing light clothes to make my body feel cold - but either there were disadvantages to these things or they didn't work that well). I have to thank this website where I saw a thread about it. It's not an understatement to say this use of foundation has been revolutionary for me.

There are a small number of researchers who study blushing in order to help people who suffer erythrophobia. A really good book to go to in order to discover what is known currently is Crozier, W. R., & de Jong, P. J. (Eds.). (2013). The Psychological Significance of the Blush. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. It will give a good overview on all the research by those researchers working in the field. In our university we are also working on research, with the current study (if you are interested) accessed via the Facebook page " Erythrophobia / érythrophobie " .