The blush, why?

Blushing is an exclusively human phenomenon. No other animal presents this state and that is why Darwin himself defined it as ‘the most human of expressions’. It is an involuntary, physiological reaction, but with psychological and social implications.

Sometimes blushing represents a passing episode without major consequences. Other times, it constitutes a frequent response that comes to condition people’s lives. In the most severe cases, the conditioning is such that a phobia of that blushing that is frequently experienced develops. People have been known to completely isolate themselves due to this extreme fear called erythophobia.

Although everyone, or almost everyone, has experienced blushing, it is not a widely discussed topic in medicine or psychology. In general, It is considered an unimportant expression and, in fact, attractive to many people.. However, in some cases it would warrant further examination.

When we blush there is an increase in blood flow.

Blushing from a physical point of view

In principle, blushing is explained as a physiological manifestation. The brain and skin are closely interconnected. Many of the phenomena that take place in the mind end up manifesting through the skin. This is largely due to the fact that the skin has an infinite number of nerve endings.

There are social situations and emotions that lead to increased blood flow in the skin.. It occurs when we feel shame, regret, guilt, nervousness, but also anger or obfuscation. This leads to a change in skin color. The phenomenon, of course, is more noticeable in people who have a lighter skin tone.

Blushing is usually accompanied by a feeling of heat. It is a completely involuntary reaction and is considered part of non-verbal body language.. Redness of the face is also present during sexual arousal and when performing some demanding bodily activity. The physical reason is the same: an increase in blood flow.

Blushing and the social situation

Blushing is much more common in social situations, although it can also occur when a person is alone. Many times It appears in those who have a certain degree of shyness and suddenly feel very exposed. Like when someone receives public praise, they are looked at by a large number of people and this makes them nervous and uncomfortable when they feel the center of attention.

Other times blushing appears because a person feels embarrassed or ashamed, because some error or shortcoming that they have, or think they have, has become evident to others. For some experts, this blush is a physiological state that a person experiences when private information is discovered, or there is a threat of this happening.

One of the people who has studied this phenomenon the most is Peter J. de Jong, who presented his conclusions in the book The Psychological Significance of the Blush. There he points out that, based on several experiments, it can be concluded that People who blush are more trustworthy and attractive to others..

Blushing is seen in many cases as a sign of honesty and nobility.

When there are problems?

Blushing in itself is not a problem. It becomes one when it causes psychological suffering to the person who presents it.. In this case, we are no longer talking about temporary embarrassment or nervousness, but rather a state of anxiety that increases when the blush appears. In extreme cases, this leads to erythophobia, or intense or irrational fear of blushing.

In this condition, the quality of life is seriously affected. So, It is considered a manifestation of severe social anxiety. From that point of view, blushing is no longer an expression of a temporary mood, but rather the symptom of a deeper psychological problem. It is an avoidant behavior that prevents a person from feeling comfortable in the company of others.

If left untreated, this type of problem can lead to isolation or deprivation of social experiences for fear of the reaction of others when blushing occurs. It is a situation that could well be solved through psychotherapy. that allows you to explore the meaning of that fear of others.

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