Blushing bother
Question
I think I've developed a fear of getting embarrassed, because every time I get self-conscious my face goes really red. I don't think this has helped in previous circumstances with people telling me how red I'm going. I've now started to avoid situations where I could potentially go red. I really lack confidence, and the thought of going to a meeting or talking in public scares the life out of me. My main fear is of messing up, stuttering and, of course, going red.
My employer wants me to go for a more senior role which will involve attending meetings and giving presentations this is making me dread the thought of making mistakes and going red so much that I'm not sure I can do the role properly. Is there any help out there for me?
Answer
Fearing you'll go red in the face must be difficult to deal with, especially if it's affecting your daily life and work prospects. However, you're not alone in your experience of going red (also known as facial blushing). The fact that you lack confidence in doing activities like speaking up in meetings may be causing you a lot of anxiety, particularly if your promotion relies on you doing this kind of thing more often in future.
It may be worth speaking to your employer about the pressure you feel. This will broaden their understanding of your worries. There may be ways they can support you more effectively, to help you reduce some of your anxiety and take on the promotion with greater ease.
While psychological triggers (such as anxiety, stress or low self-esteem) may be responsible for frequent blushing, physical reasons such as diet, exercise or illness may also be to blame. Because of this, it may be worth discussing your problem with a doctor (GP) who will be able to assess the possible causes and options of treatment. For example, you may benefit from a talking treatment such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which could help to identify any underlying factors causing your fear and affecting your self-esteem. It's also possible that you could be prescribed medication to reduce the redness of your skin.
If you'd like to find out more information about panic, anxiety and phobias you could visit No More Panic. This website also hosts a message board where you can discuss your feelings with those who have been through similar experiences.
Good answer? Bad info? Want to tell us what you think? We'd really like to hear what you've got to say about this answer so please click here to take the survey. Your feedback is confidential and as anonymous as you like.
