Will Citalopram stop me feeling nervous & blush constantly?

Hi there,

I too suffered a lot from blushing. Citalopram helped a bit but didnt get rid of it completely. I think age helps as you start to not care what other people think! I still blush sometimes though, its very embarrassing isnt it?

Maybe cbt or counselling?

Ye it is very embarrassing & when I do it I think "why did that even happen cz I was only asked a question!" Haha. It's like I'm constantly feeling nervous & that's why I blush. I can't approach anyone as I don't have the confidence. Was your blushing due to being nervous?

What's cbt? X

Hi Louise. Blushing blighted my life for so long, up to about 8-9yrs ago. Beautifulday is right saying it can go with age. I had the same problem as you. I couldn't approach girls even at work. I was so lacking in self esteem that I thought they would laugh at my blushing behind my back. I did eventually get married, but the blushing still persisted. My wife & I split up 10yrs ago & I was left to fend for myself. I met someone else & we were together for over 2yrs & although it didn't work out, I started to feel more confident about myself & could start up casual conversations with people men & women, at anytime. Like beautifulday said, you reach a point where you just don't care what people think. I still blush now & then, but I don't let it bother me, I just try & make a joke out of it. Try & strike up casual conversation with people in supermarkets, just to get used to hearing the sound of your own voice. Over time I think it will help, as you are unlikely to see those people again. A lot of people think it's "sweet" that people blush in this day & age. It is a distressing problem. Keep in touch with us & let us know how you are doing.

I'm sorry to hear about that Lee, you sound like a much confident person now which is great! I'm looking at trying 5-htp first to see how I get on as it's really pulling me down at the moment & this is herbal. Thank you so much for your comments. It's appreciated x

Hey Louise. What is it that causes you the most trouble? Is it the blushing or the medication? I started taking St Johns Wort 20yrs ago & felt it did help a little, but when I started taking meds for my other problems, I was told the St Johns would have to be stopped. You will try anything if you think it will help. Take care.x

CBT is Cognitive behavioural therapy, a type of counselling which tries to change the way you think about things. There is a bit of a waiting list for this on NHS though.

Yes, my blushing was caused by being nervous about what others thought of me, I used to blush constantly, especially when talking to people I regarded as superior, eg teachers, doctors etc.

Dear Louise,

I just want you to know that it is possible to rid yourself of the blushing without citalopram. As a child I was

abused by my mother and grew up to be very shy and anxious and would blush even if a stranger spoke to me.

It was very disabilitating and was a massive problem for me. I started to deal with it by breathing deeply and slowly whenever i thought it was going to happen. Do you know what, I don't know if it was taking my mind away from the situation or the breathing itself but it gradually faded away until I rarely blushed!!

Alas!! Then after my sister died I was advised to take citalopram to help with the insomnia and depression. I took it for eight or nine months. 20mg and then 40mg. What a complete mistake!!! After two months my sexual desire disappeared and my desire to continue my relationships.

When I stopped taking them i started getting massive panic attacks, 5,6,7 times a day. my anxiety got so bad I couldn't walk my dog around the park for fear of other dogs. My thoughts were irrational and I had severe palpitations. The worst thing for me was the blushing came back ;( That was two years ago now...

I'm now over the anxiety and the palpitations have stopped. The blushing is far worse than ever and I'm sad my good work went to waste.

Furthermore, I now have no sexual desire for men at all. My relationship ended and I feel Citalopram is to blame. It did not help me at all and I advise serious caution if you enjoy a healthy sex lif