Blushing (Red Face) ruined my life, Any Thought?

6 comments

1. Hey man, don’t go hard at yourself, it happens coz of so many reasons, but you can’t just ask for a solution without knowing why and what you were thinking at the moment it happens , I advise you to do some therapy, it’s not a big deal trust me and if you want any help just dm me 🤜🏼🔥🤛🏼

2. I don’t have this and don’t struggle with this, but I do have a thought. If you can trigger it by an embarrassing thought or something similar, what if you learned to work through it? So this would look like working on a speech or presentation alone, imagining you’re in front of a crowd. Then jump to thinking about an embarrassing memory. When you feel the reaction starting, keep talking. Pretend to look at your crowd and continue the presentation. My thought is you will be able to start getting embarrassed less, and when you do get embarrassed, you’ll have the mental strength built up to talk right through it, whether you’re red or not. Because people can get past that. Stuttering and going silent because you’re embarrassed, not so much.

3. I blush a lot, too! And I have my master’s and I’m working on a PhD! People don’t care as much as you think. The psychologist who made you doubt yourself is wrong. The more you practice presenting, the better and more confident you’ll get. Try practicing in front of a mirror or recording yourself.

   I do know how embarrassing it can be. My whole face turns red, even my ears turn red! Many people have commented. And getting embarrassed just makes it worse! But I don’t let it bother me because it’s not something that will make people look negatively on you.

   You can do this! Don’t let blushing keep you from advanced education! 😊

4. Sounds like the reactions of others is what’s stopping you from progressing in life and that the specialists you went to haven’t helped. Sucks. Feedback loop. The more you care the more likely you’ll turn red during stressful situations. The more situations you become embarrassed about because you blush the more anxious you become with future incidents.

   Solution:

   1. Progressive desensitization.

   2. Manage stress levels before presenting or other triggering situations

   The fact that you’ve reached out tells me you’re open to remedying this. It won’t be easy but it’s doable. DM me or continue this if you need to talk through this more. If not then use the info to dig into this. It’s likely you’ve been coping in unproductive ways. I used to care so much what others thought because i stuttered so i avoided talking but the only way I got through it was by managing stress and putting myself in more situations that involved speaking. It’s possible. You just need to want it more than staying stuck because staying stuck has its perks, like safety and comfort. Hope you can see this is not a good way to live long term.

5. I’m absolutely amazed that a psychologist can say they’ve never seen a case of someone blushing when they’re in a stressful situation. Unless there is more to it, that’s bordering on ridiculous, as it is extremely common. I had the same thing myself when I was younger. It didn’t matter if I was giving a speech to a large group, or paying at the supermarket and saw there was a queue; I would feel my self heat up and turn read, and soon I’d be perspiring and having to wipe my forehead, which only draws even more attention to the matter.

   For me, it was tied heavily to social anxiety, and as I became more confident in myself, the issue subsided. It still creeps up in extreme cases but it is so rare that it isn’t even on my mind.

   It was actually the public speaking which helped me get on top of it. One thing that really helped me with large groups was to acknowledge the issue straight away. As soon as I got up to the front of the room to speak I would tell them, with a smile, that I was going to start blushing now, but that I was going to do this talk regardless. Each time the group would smile and laugh in a reassuring way, and then it felt like the entire room was on my side and were rooting for me. I still blushed to begin with, but it quickly resided, and then I found that happening more quickly each time.

6. Hey there fellow blusher! I’m 28M and had blushing (facial flushing) since grade school.

   It’s like being held upside down feeling my heart pound in my face in any social situation where any focus was placed on me. It was socially disabling for years and had a significant impact socially, professionally, and academically.

   I am not a medical professional and the following is not medical advice. It is simply what worked for me. Consult a medical provider with any medical decisions.

   Possible solutions:

   Propranolol, it is known to reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety.

   Gabapentin, helpful with anxiety.

   SSRIs and SNRIs are also generally helpful for symptoms of anxiety.

   Botox, in small quantities can reduce facial flushing and sweating.

   Pharma Gaba, a supplement that helps calm the fight or flight symptoms that flare during anxious events.

   Possible supplements that may also be helpful I will list below. Everybody’s body and brain is unique so please discuss with a medical provider with any medications or supplements you believe might he helpful. There are neurotransmitter lab tests that a provider can order to gain specific insight into possible imbalances and helpful solutions.

   – Omega-3
   – Vitamin D
   – B vitamins
   – Probiotics and prebiotics. Serotonin, a major hormone is highly involved with gut health. It’s important to maintain good GI health. Serotonin imbalances can have a significant impact on facial flushing.
   – Amino acids can be precursors to chemicals in the brain. The amino acids you would need is highly specific to your body. Lab tests can determine any deficiencies.
   – Ginko biloba
   – Ashwagandha KSM-66
   – Kava
   – Valerian root
   – Melissa (lemon balm)
   – Skullcap
   – Gotu Cola
   – Magnolia bark
   – Phellodendron bark

   Do not take supplements without discussing it with a medical provider. I am only providing possibly beneficial solutions so you have information to discuss with your provider.

   In my experience doctors don’t have immediately access to all possible solutions during a visit. Having a conversation with suggestions is helpful, it’s important to ask questions. Coming off as a WebMD self diagnosing person doesn’t go well with medical providers. It’a a collaboration on your health so you are both acting in good faith for the sole benefit of your health.

   Some medical providers are terrible and have no business practicing medicine, just like in your experience, they can do a lot of damage emotionally. However, there are amazing providers that will change your life. Finding the right one sucks and is draining but ultimately a necessary evil to getting proper compassion and care.

   Therapy, focus less on the blushing. This is a somatic response to the initial issue. It’s important to deal with the anxiety itself. Either the cause in relation to mental health, and or past life experience. Anxiety won’t disappear, so you must change your relationship with anxiety. A good therapist will equip you with tools on how to manage anxiety. It’s definitely a journey but ultimately worth it.

   Be well my friend.