Something to consider (for flushing/blushing/redness):

There are no real satisfactory treatments for this disease and there are so many triggers for different people it is ridiculous. I have been fighting this disease for probably about 2 years and at times it has exhausted me mentally and physically. I kept hoping for a cure and focused all my energy on that. My counselor has been talking to me forever (4 months) about “letting go of the rope.” She used an analogy of my playing tug-o-war with the disease and really there is no need to fight (certainly in large part because I cannot win).

A large portion of this disease is mental. I am certainly not trying to insult anyone, but certainly being hypersensitive to the redness triples (I just made up a number) ones chances or being/turning red. I was searching on the internet for social blushing and I found an article about the psychological aspects of blushing in public.

The problem with fighting the disease is two-fold. One, it can’t really be beat (ok some of you may have success with treatments but personally I have had very little). Number two fighting the disease implies something bad about the redness. The problem with this is that the redness is a part of me. I used to “become a different person” when I was red. This was because I didn’t accept myself. Also, with the self-consciousness of the social blushers described in the article, it hit me … this is all about self acceptance all of the time, it shouldn’t matter there is no reason not to love myself.

There is no need to freak out when I feel a flush coming on in public. I just tell myself, “I accept myself exactly the way I am, I accept myself …” I just try to relax as much as possible and realize that it is only a big deal if I make it out to be a big deal. If someone mentions it I can either shrug it off or tell them (“I have a skin disease, its no big deal”). As a result I become more of the (my idea of the) ideal person when I am red and when I am not very red. I am more social, nice, fun, etc. I almost like flushing at night in bed because I have removed so much of the negative feeling of the flushes. It gives me a chance to focus my energy on positive things. Along with self-acceptance comes the realization that I am not perfect, but no one is. Also, with more self-acceptance, comes more positive thoughts. I tell myself positive things throughout the day and I believe them because I am slowly gaining more confidence.

Of course we all want to look our best, but that doesn’t mean constantly buying new products, placing all of our faith that we will magically be healed one day. Remember that you take good care of your skin and so you accept the way you are. I will try Sansrosa when it comes out but I really am not counting on it or thinking about it. If it works great, but if it doesn’t nothing negative has happened. I do not want to give away my power to an external control of the treatments and truly I am finding more power each day. I can (and so can everyone else) choose to accept myself (acknowledging the redness) and not allow the redness to affect my life. I accept myself for the amazing person I am with red cheeks.

So as a “treatment plan,” I would focus on three key areas (involving affirmations): self-acceptance, positive thinking, and relaxation. It makes it so much easier to stop treating the disease and focus on being positive. Of course, I believe it is possible to treat the disease without it affecting your mindset but it is very difficult. With the spring coming in our KPRF will be improving anyway, so why not stop treating and start thinking positively about yourself. Become powerful and stop allowing the redness to control your life. Just a suggestion

For positive thinking I recommend telling yourself affirmations in the morning and before you go to bed (out loud if possible). And of course you can tell yourself these things throughout the day. Personally I say stuff like “I am becoming more social,” “I becoming confident, relaxed, and powerful.”

For self acceptance (could be a part of positive thinking), I usually just say “I accept myself,” or if I am flushing I say “I acknowledge this feeling and I accept myself.” Whenever I think about the redness it is a cue for me to say “I accept myself.” I repeat this many times throughout the day. I look into the mirror and say good things to myself. Also it is good to be positive and accept that you are an amazing person just the way you are. “I am a relaxed, positive, amazing person.” Give yourself reasons to feel good about you. If you don’t like yourself work on self acceptance and give yourself a reason to like yourself. Work out, do community service, whatever makes you feel good about yourself.

For relaxation: remember it is ok to feel nervous. If you feel nervous, say to yourself “I acknowledge this nervousness and I accept myself.” Also just work on relaxation in general. Eventually you will become less and less nervous. Change your relationship to fear. It is ok to be afraid, everyone is at some point, but it doesn’t have to be disabling, in fact it can be empowering.

For those of you will constant bad redness I really do feel for you. It must be hard to deal with it. So maybe start with the self-acceptance (although you may not believe what you tell yourself) then get PDL and stop treating and start accepting. It was ok if you feel you have been too hard on yourself in the past, you are ok (self-acceptance) not perfect but there is nothing wrong with you.

Of course I have only been doing this for a week but I think that over time I can really become a better and better person despite of this disease.

Thanks for reading. This is obviously just my opinion so you can take my advice or not, whatever you choose to do with your life I hope you are happy with and have not allowed this disease to control you. I have been overcome with many positive thoughts lately and I just hope I can continue it.

So remember look at your redness in the face and let go of the rope. You may soon feel so much more relaxed and your blushes may not feel so painful (believe me I have been there).

Sorry in advance for any grammatical errors or any place I used “you” when I was referring to my own person experience; also if there is poor flow to this “article”, I do not feel like checking my “paper,” thanks again. There is so much more I could have written about and maybe I will get around to it later.

Paxil 20mg is extremely effective , for me a cure, for flushing and blushing. and it would help u with ur other issues, instead of going to counselers.

that was very good insightfull information twid. i myself have been trying to let go of all of the anxiety that comes along with our disease for some time now and i definatly agree with you, it does help. Not only with the psycological part but with the redness too.

Twid,

I really like your attitude. I hope it inspires others. Many disorders are due to stress and changing one's outlook can reduce stress, possibly reducing the symptom or disorder. A better attitude doesn't cost anything, doesn't have side effects, and you can use your mental adjustment anywhere, anytime.

kebod

***** when I turn extra red in public. People look at me like am some type of freak. Which just makes everything worst. Am tried of that. So I make a mad face at them. Thats like *** you looking!
Then I get home and go to my room,and think about how much my life sucks.

Hey I havent been on here in a while because I dont like to think about all the negative aspects of this disease. I dont know if it is just coencidence but the past two weeks my face has been great. Maybe I am just losing hypersensitivity with self acceptance but my redness is down 50% and my flushing is down by 50% in frequency and power. Of course I am going to blush easier than your average person but thats ok. I have only turned very red 3 times during these two week (when it used to be a daily occurance).

In the past I have tried to think positively but I was never able to sustain the positive feeling because underlying I did not truly accept who I was. Having a better relation with ones redness will no doubt be empowering in so many ways.

Twid,

I think it is more than coincidence. If meds can reduce anxiety, and thereby reduce blushing/redness, why can't a change of attitude reduce anxiety, and also reduce blushing/redness? Good for you and thank you for sharing with us.

kebod