What is Chronic Blushing?
For most of us, blushing when we’re embarrassed or anxious is a common occurrence. But for those who suffer from a stronger type of blushing, or blush more easily, also known as pathological blushing, this abnormal facial reddening can become physically and psychologically tormenting. Blushing is abnormal if it occurs as a response to minor psychological signs or for no apparent reason, if it causes the person to suffer, and if it interferes with his or her usual level of performance and/or social interactions.
Turning red in certain situations is not only appropriate, but expected. This is normal blushing.
Blushing is generally trivialized and nearly always assumed to be a normal experience when, in fact, that experience can actually become a symptom.
People who suffer from Pathological Blushing seek help not because of normal, occasional facial reddening, which we know is a natural part of life, but because they blush excessively and at socially inappropriate times. They turn bright red when they least expect it: when running into an acquaintance on the street, talking on the telephone, or even in front of family members. Blushing is better tolerated when it seems socially appropriate, such as when people receive public recognition or have Happy Birthday sung to them. It is turning red for no apparent reason that causes such distress. Blushers may fear that others believe they are hiding a misdeed (e.g., blushing when they are teased about something they have ostensibly done in private), or they may worry about seeming to lose their composure in non threatening situations, thus being considered shy, awkward, or, in today’s jargon, a loser.
-Text above is directly from When Blushing Hurts by Dr. Enrique Jadresic
In order to understand better, contemplate this:
Think of all the cues that normal blushing in someone sends to their audience, of one or many, when embarrassment is clearly not the cause: "They must be..."
- Shy
- Nervous
- Lacking confidence
- Lying
- Hiding something
- etc.
Next think of yourself going through an entire day sending the wrong message dozens of times in every conceiveable situation. Would you feel frustrated, maybe defeated, exhausted and possibly even suicidal? To be misunderstood at such a basic human level may be hard for people to grasp.
It is possible many have overcome the effects of this condition but everyone who has it has had entirely different experiences. Many have been shown grace while others have been tormented or just mildly teased. We have to be careful not to group everyone with this condition as experiencing the same level of severity (Frequency of episodes, age in which the condition manifested itself). While there can be different triggers for each individual experiencing this condition, there are similar triggers that almost all experience. Emotions such as anger, surprise, laughter, frustration are ones that almost always trigger a blush due to the heightened sympathetic nervous system. However, it is as unique to every individual who is dealing with the condition.
Most of the stories shared have said their life has not reached the potential it could have. Nearly all who suffer with this condition expressed similar feelings: shame, lack of happiness, monetary impact, and general fulfillment in life.
A good take away would be to extend grace and to not draw conclusions about people with frequent blushing episodes. Be compassionate by all means and if you are in a position to impact whether someone promotes within your organization, remember that their blushing may not represent their inward emotions. Things are not always as they appear.
The development and impact of this condition as we understand it, from the stories shared by others:
Typically, at around puberty, but sometimes later, the symptoms of an overactive sympathetic nervous system begin to become apparent. However, the sufferer is not aware until someone else points it out to them. “Why are you so red?”, “Look at how red your face is.” Or “Look at _____, she is embarrassed”. Of course, the sufferer is very confused as they have no idea why this has happened as they are not embarrassed.
The episodes continue to happen as the physiological aspects of the overactive sympathetic nervous system continue to be triggered by a range of emotions; laughter, anger, surprise etc. (emotions that do not illicit a blush in most people). Additionally, extreme physical activity, significant change in temperature such as coming in from the cold, or alcohol and spicy foods can also cause blushing.
Because of the response from others; teasing, simply pointing it out innocently, and in some cases purposely embarrassing the sufferer in front of others can lead to anxiety. Now the sufferer is likely to blush more as there is a psychological element that is beginning to develop. The frequency of events throughout the day increases. This is why nearly all sufferer’s state they wish people would stop pointing it out.
Most will never speak of their condition to anyone, including loved ones and doctors as they are ashamed. They think that they are the only one dealing with this and do not know that there is a physiological element to their condition. This results in their confusion and inability to understand why they are dealing with this. By this time, erythrophobia (fear of blushing) has likely developed followed by Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) making it more difficult for the chronic blushing sufferer to treat. Often withdrawal from friends, family and social situations begins and accelerates.
Some may resort to the internet to find answers, but answers are hard to find as each site does not comprehensively cover the subject. People may then bring it up to a doctor, but that doctor may diagnose it as only an anxiety condition or misdiagnose it entirely. Ultimately this can become discouraging and many give up hope or resign themselves to living with this condition while changing their behaviors in order to cope.
The goal for any chronic/pathological blusher should be to seek treatment before the condition becomes life-consuming. It appears that the longer a person goes without understanding and treating the condition, the more difficult it can be to treat the condition due to the psychological impacts. We have heard from people who state that their blushing improved with age. This leads one to believe that acceptance and ones perceptions of life and its battles may help reduce the anxiety reaction that this condition causes.
Conditions Linked to an Overactive Sympathetic Nervous System
Raynaud's disease is a rare disorder of the blood vessels, usually in the fingers and toes. People with this disorder have attacks that cause the blood vessels to narrow. When this happens, blood can't get to the surface of the skin and the affected areas turn white and blue. When the blood flow returns, the skin turns red and throbs or tingles. In severe cases, loss of blood flow can cause sores or tissue death. Cold weather and stress can trigger attacks. Often the cause of Raynaud's is not known. People in colder climates are more likely to develop Raynaud's than people in warmer areas.
Hyperhidrosis is a hereditary condition caused by an overactive sympathetic nervous system affecting an estimated 7.8 million Americans. Symptoms include excessive sweating of the hands, armpits, face, head or feet. It is associated with Raynaud's Disease (cold hands that often change colors because of hypersensitivity to temperature change) and facial blushing.
Chronic Blushing and Shame
Shame is a common feeling shared by chronic blushing sufferers. This was the most difficult for us to understand as we began compiling information from sufferers. It wasn’t until we read that victims of crime often feel shame due to feeling that they should have been able to control or prevent the crime perpetrated upon them. Now we could understand, as most chronic blushing sufferers think they are the only one dealing with this condition and that they should be able to control it. Unfortunately, the physiological aspect of having an overactive sympathetic nervous system cannot just be controlled.
No chronic blusher should feel shame due to their condition. It is the genetic card you were given, not something you have control over. You did not create this condition. Do not allow others to make you feel ashamed and do not impose shame upon yourself. Do not allow the ignorance of others to harm you. Shame can quickly destroy the human spirit. This is extremely important. To treat this condition you must recognize that it is nothing you are doing or have control over. All you can control is how you treat the condition and how you manage it.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.