Erythrophobia is the fear of turning red.
Many people who suffer from chronic blushing and skin flushing develop this phobia.
It's an endless cycle of fearing turning red, which in turn ramps up your nervous system and ultimately makes you turn red.
If you've found yourself in this debilitating loop, you are not alone!
Although there is not a lot of research on blushing, the last studies showed that between 5 - 7 percent of the world's population experience excessive blushing.
So why is no one talking about it?
Shame, guilt, fear, not knowing how to articulate the words?
All of the above.
I, like you, have suffered from this debilitating condition of erythrophobia. Although I was obtaining worldly successes in my life and come across as a very social person, I was slowly wilting with each flush (that happened multiple times per day).
I've been on this journey of healing this condition for almost 5 years. I'm so relieved and excited to tell you that I DID overcome erythrophobia. The redness is not completely gone but reduced significantly.
My healing journey started with exposure. I started a Youtube channel so that I could speak about my experience in hopes that it would adjust my nervous system to being seen in a vulnerable state, but also so that people could find the information and know they are not alone on their journey.
The channel grew. People messaged me from all over the world to share their experiences. I grew more confident by simply knowing I wasn't alone.
I realized that most (if not all) of us are Highly Sensitive People. We have strong intuition and most are empaths. I've also found that many of us have a history of codependency.
When you are codependent you connect to someone on an unhealthy level. You learn to "read the room" and predict their thoughts, feelings, etc. If this codependent attachment happened with a parent or caretaker in your younger years, your nervous system was wired to constantly interpret what the world around you was feeling and thinking more than what you were thinking and feeling.
Actually, you might have numbed your own thoughts and feelings altogether.
Your body has a reaction at odd moments. Sometimes there's a reason to turn red and sometimes there is not. This can leave us confused because we don't see any external threats but our body is picking up on danger.
I want you to know that you are not alone. You are not losing your mind. You can move through this redness and live your best life.
Unfortunately, I do not have a one-size-fits-all answer. I just know for myself it took time, exploration, grace, and ultimately changing my beliefs about blushing.
My beliefs were dictating my thoughts and feelings and ultimately causing me to sink deeper into a pit of depression.
I hope you're reading this blog because you are on a journey to find healing.
You're tired of suffering alone and you're ready to take your life back from the blush.
You are welcome here just as you are. Feel free to explore the Youtube channel for over 200 videos.
If you don't have time to look through all the videos, check out the resources page for quick references.
You are so much more than redness, my friend!
April