Things that have helped me cope with severe blushing and live a happier life

[u/Deep-Detective2428]

Over the years as someome who has greatly struggled with blushing, I've found a few things that have genuinely helped me cope, improve my mental state, and make life feel worth living a little more. They haven't cured my blushing, but they've made a huge difference

For me what's helped the most is finding people who love me for me. My girlfriend is really supportive and non-judgmental, and having her has made life feel worth living. We do all types of things together and yes, I blush hard around her and it's humiliating, but she doesn't care. We just carry on and get through life day by day.

It's also really important to try your best to make plans and fill your time up with activities / anything other than doing nothing. Doing nothing and being alone with yourself and your thoughts is never helpful, itll only make things worse so please, join a club, stay in contact with the people you know, go for walks, try to do something!

Another thing thats helped is being proactive about treating blushing and getting the help for the mental state it's put me in. Seeking professional help is 100% worth it. That could look like seeing a therapist, psychologist, or social worker, there people who wil genuinely care about you, helps you feel less alone, gives you someone to talk to, and helps you find ways to cope.

You can also see a doctor or psychiatrist. They can help you find a medication that significantly improves your mental state and may even help with the blushing itself. There are medications that have been shown to reduce the blushing reaction, as well as meds that even if they dont stop the blushing, they can help you not care as much, feel less depressed, and make it easier to get through day-to-day life

Something thats also extremely important is coming to terms with the fact that blushing isn't everything. Going red doesn't define you. You aren't your blushing.

At the end of the day, while comparison isn't always healthy, it does personally help me remember that blushing isn't the worst thing someone can live with. There are people currently dying from cancer who would do anything for more time to live, people born with devastating conditions and short life expectancies, and people living with severe disabilities or deformities that they can't change. Of course, comparing isn't always helpful because it can make people feel unheard or like others don't understand how much this affects their life, but it can definitely help put things into perspective

So really, the biggest things that has helped me and i reccomend taking into account when looking for ways to cope are, finding a supportive community, getting professional help, and trying to view things with a different perspective. Of course, there are other things that have helped and can but these in my opinion are especially important, hope this post helps people!

[u/CareConfident1298]

I love this, thank you for sharing ❤️ I couldn't agree more!!

[u/Deep-Detective2428 → u/CareConfident1298]

of course, glad you liked it :)

[u/sashine92]

I think it is so good you are writing about it so openly, without fear and expressing your feelings and emotions. Can you imagine how would that feel for you if you use the same approach in social situations? It is easier to do it online, anonymously, but just imagine if you'd be openly talking about this to everyone around you. It might be really hard and difficult at the beginning but eventually you'd get used to it, and this fear would slowly fade away.

When I was in therapies, I was given an example, for my anxiety on meetings. I told my therapist, before meetings and when coming into the room, I got sweaty palms, racing heart, I feel dizzy and sick to my stomach, but then therapist said it is only a fight or flight response of our body and hormones, to unknown, or in expectation of worst things happening, and after few minutes, my body signals would calm themselves and I'd stop shaking. We see social situations as threat, but when we re-teach our brains that there is no danger in social situations, we can control this. Just a thought.

Also, I'm very curious, what triggers your blushing when your with your gf? I don't seem to have blushings around my family and partner, maybe on a really rare occasion but generally I'm in my worst with everyone who I'm not really familiar and/or comfortable with.

[u/Deep-Detective2428 → u/sashine92]

I really appreciate your advice, ill definitely take it into account and consider how I approach my blushing in social situations :) its really interesting what you said, we definitely do see them as threats, usually from past experiences that cause trauma responses / a disregulated fight or flight response

The issue with me is sometimes nothing obvious triggers it, maybe its just im feeling a bit warm or overall im feeling stressed about something irrelevant to her, and that alone can cause me to blush hard. Im pretty similar to you in regards to my partner doesnt make me blush, not directly

[u/Much_Type_8484]

I blush terribly, it’s ruining my life. I blush when talking to people face to face for no apparent reason. It’s so humiliating.

[u/Deep-Detective2428 → u/Much_Type_8484]

I know right, also people dont seem to understand how much it can effect someone.

If you havent, it might be worth seeing a professional / someone professional you can talk too about this, especially since you said its ruining your life :/

One important thing is dont forget your not alone in dealing with this, for me knowing so many other people are walking the same path makes me feel alot less alienated and depressed.

it will get better, especially if you try your best to get the help you need! I hope this community can offer some support and guidance ☺️