Since blushing is instantaneous and uncontrollable, it is a huge issue for many with social anxiety disorder.  Not everyone with social anxiety blushes and not everyone who blushes has social anxiety. However, for a majority the two do go hand in hand.

The element of surprise can often trigger blushing in people who are pre-disposed to it as a result of their social anxiety.  Being put ‘on the spot’ or made the center of attention unexpectedly can have a serious detrimental effect on you.  The resultant blushing then further embarrasses you and you wonder what people must think.

Since the physiological responses to blushing are devastatingly real to those who suffer from social anxiety, it is important to note that it is often set off by situations that aren’t rational.  Our perception is what causes our response, and not reality.  If we view the situation as embarrassing, that determines why we blush, and everyone has his own triggers for when they blush.  Some people only blush when made the center of attention in a large group, others may blush even when someone says hello to them.  It is this type of strong fear of blushing that often brings it on in very minor social situations, since we are worried and obsessive about it, which causes our brain to focus on blushing. So, you see that worrying about blushing feeds our fear and causes further blushing.

Learning that blushing is just something that happens and will pass is paramount in conquering your fear, and your ANTs.   Automatic negative thoughts (ANT) are unfounded, and generally incorrect. Not everyone notices you blush, judges you, and feels poorly about you because of it!

People with social anxiety often have difficulties with how they see themselves and how they’re seen by others. In other words, they think they’re just a big mess and everybody knows it, and that everyone is judging them based on this blushing issue. In reality, those things couldn’t be more inaccurate. Most people scarcely notice if someone has a blushing problem, and if they do, they really don’t think much of it. On the other hand, constant fretting over your perceived problem will intensify it.

Constantly having thoughts like:

• I must look stupid
• That girl must not criticize me
• I shouldn’t blush

can definitely contribute to the problem. Most of the time, we have thoughts throughout the day and don’t really even notice them, but when it comes to this issue, people often work themselves into such a state that they cannot control their emotions and their blushing. Those types of thoughts are not only a problem, but they are also inaccurate. Being criticized is a part of life, people just need to learn to deal with it, and blushing does not make anyone look stupid!
Positive affirmations on a daily basis can help to balance out the negative self-talk. However, sufferers need to realize this may take some time, because they are attempting to undo years of negative self-image.

Since blushing can be emotionally debilitating for some people, scientists have worked to better understand the physical process involved so that they can help sufferers alleviate the worst symptoms.  The psychological side of blushing, however, remains a mystery.

Here are the physical reasons why we blush:

Your body’s sympathetic nervous system controls your fight-or-flight response to situations, and works instanteously and involuntarily.  When you get embarrassed your body releases adrenaline, which is a natural stimulant- it speeds your heart rate and breathing, slows your digestive system, and enlarges your pupils.  These effects all prepare your body to fight or run, and they account for the instant of shock you feel when you’re embarrassed.

The adrenaline release also dilates your blood vessels, called vasodilation, to improve oxygen and blood flow to the cells.  This is what actually causes you to blush.  Your facial veins respond to a signal which allows adrenaline to dilate the veins, increase the blood flow, and causing the red cheeks that show others you are embarrassed.

Of course, there are other ways that our cheeks become flushed as well:  being in an overly warm environment, drinking alcohol, and sexual arousal.  These forms of flushing are different, because blushing is only phenomenon caused by adrenaline.

So, why do we blush? Scientists can’t answer definitely, but there are some theories:

Psychologists in the United Kingdom have posited that blushing is one way of enforcing social systems that people have established over the years. Our blushing shows others that we know we’ve made a faux pas, and we are suffering for it. It serves as a physical, though non verbal request for forgiveness. The theory is that being embarrassed shows emotional intelligence, since in order to be embarrassed; you need to have empathy and intelligence to be able to feel how others do.

For a much more detailed guide to why people blush check out Blushing Breakthrough. Blushing is treatable.

When trying to consider what caused your redness on face ask yourself the following questions: What was I doing beforehand? Who was I with? What situation or location was I in? What were my thoughts? Had I consumed any unusual foods? Was I applying some unusual creams to my face?

Asking these questions should help you to break down your problem and allow you to see what is causing your redness on face. If however you’re still unsure as to what it is that might be causing the redness on your face then look at the following list and think about whether one of the following applies:

• Sun burn: on the previous day did you lay out for an extended period of time in the sun and did you forget to apply the sun cream and so now you have redness on face.

• Rosacea – is the redness on face constantly with you? If this is the case then you may have rosacea and should contact your local doctor.

• Facial Blushing – did you feel emotional and were you in a social situation when it occurred. You may have been blushing.

• Acne – Are there red dots on your face which come and go. If this is the case then you may be suffering from acne and should contact your local doctor.

Hundreds of years ago water was not safe to drink. People lived in unclean societies where sewage would spill out onto the street, filth would be everywhere and because of this disease easily spread throughout the population. This meant the people did not drink water as it was full of bacteria and if drank, it could lead to illness or even death. So humans had to develop an alternative drink to quench their thirst.

European cultures adopted alcohol beverages as their substitute to water. This killed off most of the bacteria in the water making it safe to drink. Because Europeans consumed lots of alcohol over the centuries they ended up developing an enzyme in their bodies which made them more tolerant to alcohol.

Contrast this to East Asian cultures where drinking boiled water with tea became the substitute. Like adding alcohol, when you boil water you manage to kill off the bacteria in the liquid. However because of this, East Asian people never managed to develop the enzyme which would have enabled them to tolerate alcohol.

Even today some Asian people will still blush fully red in the face with only the smallest amounts of alcohol. So next time you see a red faced asian at a bar, you’ll have a good idea as to why.

So if blushing is good for us this begs the questions, why is blushing good for us? Well let’s have a look at the following situations and see how blushing may help us:

Embarrassment – if you blush when you’re embarrassed, people will know that you’re feeling uncomfortable about the mistake you just made and so will be less likely to attack you  as they already know you’re down (if they’re your friends that is).

Guilt – if you’re blushing whilst you’re apologizing then people are more likely to forgive you as they know you’re really feeling guilty about what happened.

Anger – red faced anger is a warning sign to others which let’s people know that they shouldn’t provoke or attack you. Red faced anger says you’re not messing about and really will put up a tough fight if someone attacks you.

Love – displaying your true feelings by blushing lets the other person know how you really feel. If you’re too shy to tell the other person yourself then blushing is a good way of letting that person know you’re interested and this can be good as the other person may feel the same way.

So the time you blush think about how your blushing might actually be good for you.

“Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is”

- German Proverb

“We have nothing to fear but fear itself”

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

How true would you say this is in relation to your blushing? Is your fear of blushing actually more scary than the blushing itself?

This list gives the 5 best books that I have found most useful when trying to stop blushing.

1. Coping With Blushing (Paperback)

Coping with Blushing

The top seller on the Amazon.com bestselling list, and for a good reason. Written by a clinical psychologist from the University of Surrey this man knows his stuff and gives excellent relaxation exercises and confidence boosters. Buy this one if you don’t buy anything else on the list!

2. Blushing and the Social Emotions (Hardcover)

Blushing and the Social Emotions

Recommended if you’re looking to investigate the more scientific reasons for blushing. A synthesis of ground breaking research is piled into this book and by the time you’ve finished you’ll know all of your reasons for blushing and how to stop it.

3. Dying of Embarrassment: Help for Social Anxiety & Phobia (Paperback)

Dying of Embarrassment

Focusing on Social Anxieties and Phobias in general, this book will not only help you to stop blushing but also help to cure any other problems you may have. Giving practical guidance on everything from public speaking to answering the telephone. Don’t let your god given talents hold you back because of your fears!

4. Painfully Shy: How to Overcome Social Anxiety and Reclaim Your Life (Paperback)

Painfully Shy

Social anxiety and blushing can be emotionally crippling for sufferers. This excellent resource provides advice for those who are, those who know and those want to help sufferers. Methods of therapy are examined including a self help option as well.

5. Living Fully with Shyness and Social Anxiety: A Comprehensive Guide to Gaining Social Confidence (Paperback)

Living Fully with Shyness and Social Anxiety

Written in a friendly tone by a therapist who has led social-anxiety support groups. It starts off by providing small and achievable goals to help kick start you off on your journey to recovery. Before you know you’ll be overcoming your biggest fears such as public speaking and dating. Also provides a informative guide to anti-anxiety medications.

Buying any one of these these books, reading it and then applying it’s advice WILL help your life. What are you waiting for? Get one of these books NOW and stop blushing!

• Acipimox
• Adenosine
• Ambrisentan
• Amlodipine
• Aspirin
• Betahistine
• Bosentan
• Bromocriptine
• Cabergoline
• Calcitonin
• Caspofungin
• Chlorpropamide
• Cyclosporin
• Danazol
• Dinoprostone
• Epoprostenol
• Ethanol
• Felodipine
• Fenoldopam
• Gemeprost
• Gestrinone
• Glatiramer acetate
• Glyceryl trinitrate
• Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor
• Isosorbide dinitrate
• Isosorbide mononitrate
• Isradipine
• Lysuride
• Methionine
• Nicorandil
• Nicotinic acid
• Nifedipine
• Nitrendipine
• Pergolide
• Piribedil
• Protamine sulfate
• Quinidine
• Reboxetine
• Regadenoson
• Reproterol
• Ropinirole
• Salbutamol
• Serotonin
• Sildenafil
• Sodium nitrite
• Sulprostone
• Tadalafil
• Tamoxifen
• Thyrotrophin releasing peptide
• Trilostane
• Vancomycin
• Vardenafil

Hope this helps you stop blushing!