Posted by bulldog2 on August 25, 2008, at 18:52:08
In reply to Help for anxiety-related facial blushing, posted by jwpaine on August 24, 2008, at 20:00:00
> Hello,
>
> for about two years now, I have faced a specific anxiety: fear of facial blushing. It's not the normal blush someone gets when they're slightly embarrassed, rather, a severe blushing onset in almost any circumstance, most often in a social context. My anxiety or /fear/ that blushing will occur holds me back from both things I'd like to be more comfortable doing, like having a conversation with someone, and is the catalyst, that is me worrying, that educes a blushing "attack".
>
> I have been to a psychiatrist and tried several different SSRIs, at various doses, and nothing seems to be helping. If at all, only a slight reduction in anxiety levels.
>
> The meds that I can list off the top of my head are: Fluvoxamine, Serequel, Prozac, Lexapro.
>
> I am currently taking 75mg/morning of Lexapro to try to treat this specific anxiety, and 25mg/night of serequel, now only to get to sleep.
>
> I have an appointment with my doctor, tomorrow afternoon, so I am writing to see what research I can do with the help of this board, to be informed of other options before sitting down.
>
> My University is starting up soon, and I would like to finally get this under control.
>
> I have not tried Paxil. For some reason I just thought of this and googled it with the keyword "blushing" - some people say this has helped. A friend of mine recommended I go up on the serequel. Any thoughts / recommendations?
>
> Thanks!
> JohnHeard Nardil is very good for that kind of anxiety. Clonodine and inderal good for times when you know you will need it.
Also cbt is something that may be useful as it's the secondary anxiety (fear of blushing) that's the culprit.Many people blush but aren't concerned about it so there isn't a problem with it. What's happening is the blushing triggers a panic attack in a social situation. That's why I mention nardil as it's supposed to be good for that kind of anxiety.
I to have this phobia and it can be quite disruptive to college and later on one's professional career as you always have to avoid talking in front of groups of people. Unfortunately when I was younger I had no awareness of meds for this or there may not have even been any at that time.
poster:bulldog2
thread:848076
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080822/msgs/848284.html