Erythrophobia
Erythrophobia is a phobia of blushing. People with this conditions are often excessively fearful of blushing or concerned that they blush too much. Erythrophobia is also sometimes used to denote an excessive fear of the color red.
What is Erythrophobia?
Blushing is a reaction in the sympathetic nervous system that causes the cheeks to redden. Blushing is particularly common when people are feeling anxious, and people with social anxiety sometimes blush more frequently than other people. Because blushing is a physiological reaction that is not under conscious control, erythrophobia can be crippling. While a person with needle phobia or snake phobia might be able to avoid their fears, a person with erythrophobia is constantly faced with the prospect of blushing excessively. This can contribute to social anxiety and general nervousness. There is some correlation between erythrophobia and social anxiety, and people with diagnosed anxiety are more likely to experience erythrophobia.
What Causes Erythrophobia?
Mental health professionals are uncertain about what precisely causes erythrophobia. People who blush easily and frequently might become self-conscious about this tendency and ultimately develop a phobia. Fear of blushing could also have a genetic element, and children raised by anxious parents or parents with erythrophobia are more likely to develop the phobia themselves.
How is Erythrophobia Treated?
Like most other phobias, erythrophobia responds well to treatment. Desensitization treatment can be helpful, but establishing proper conditions for desensitization can be challenging since blushing is not under conscious control. Clinicians might instead encourage people to think about blushing or anxiety-inducing situations and gradually desensitize them to these situations. Medication, particularly anti-anxiety medication, can be helpful in some cases, particularly if the phobia interferes with a person’s ability to engage in normal daily functions. Therapy aimed at helping erythrophobics address social anxiety can also be helpful.
Reference:
- Erythrophobia. (n.d.). Excessive Sweating. Retrieved from http://www.myexcessivesweating.com/erythrophobia.php
Last Updated: 08-7-2015
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Sam
February 22nd, 2017 at 4:28 AMHi I’ve had this for years and now my son has it. I’ve tried everything I think apart from the surgery. I’ve read of really bad side effects. What are your thoughts? I’ve tried lots of different anti anxiety, beta blockers and anti depression drugs and they have all worked for a little while and then stop working. Plus I don’t like the side effects of the drugs. I also did hypnotherapy with a professional for nearly a year it cost me a fortune. How can I help myself and my son who is 13 now?
The GoodTherapy.org Team
February 23rd, 2017 at 3:38 PMHi Sam,
Please note that GoodTherapy.org is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, treatment, medical treatment, psychotherapy, counseling, or mental health services.If you would like to get in touch with a therapist about the issues you’re describing, you can search our directory for mental health professionals in your area: goodtherapy.org/find-therapist.html
Thank you for your comment! We are thinking of you and wishing you all the best.
Kind regards,
The GoodTherapy.org TeamSam
February 23rd, 2017 at 6:56 PMHi thanks for your reply. I understand no problem.
I’ve already been to a doctor and a couple specialists but i just found another person who has this problem to i will give there ideas a go. There story is exactly the same as mine howtostopblushing.net/how-to-stop-blushing-true-story/ . This makes me think that it is actually a pretty popular problem to have. Ill will try these methods and let you know how i go :)
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