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Ask Dave and Luke: Why is blushing so serious?

July 12, 2012 @ 11:41 am (Updated: 1:04 pm - 7/13/12 )

A University of Washington student who jumped from his dorm to his death on May 29 may have killed himself because of his uncontrollable blushing.

The parents of 20-year-old Brandon Thomas are speaking publicly for the first time and they say the condition consumed his life and made him depressed.

"He would wake up in the morning and think about his day and the routes that he needed to take and how he needed to try and focus on his breathing and pulse to try and get himself out of those situations."

His mother, Dawn Thomas, tells MSNBC in her son's suicide note, Brandon asked his parents to spread awareness about the disorder, which is triggered by an overactive nervous system.

Amy in Orting writes...

I blush all the time. If someone I don't usually talk to comes up to chat with me, instant red. Sometimes walking through the store I get really warm, sweaty, and red, for no reason whatsoever. I have taught classes, spoken at events and no issues. Turning red and getting sweaty are totally random and happen to me daily. In high school, another teacher was hanging out in my band class. My band teacher said, "Want to see something funny? Hey Amy, turn red." I did instantly. It's something that has always been a part of my life and I just ignore it.

Luke: In reading this story of this young man who killed himself at the UW and in hearing Amy's email I think one of the big parts of this that is so problematic is that everybody thinks it's a big joke. Nobody thinks of it as a big negative, so they think it's fun to say 'check out this blushing.' But to someone who has this condition, it's obviously pretty devastating.

Spring in Everett writes...

I'm in my thirtys and never knew that my blushing problem was a disorder and that there are cures/medications available. I know that this has affected my life and job. My friends and family know and expect the constant blushing, but at work I hide away in my cubicle and shy away from social events. I blush at the slightest thing whenever someone at work asks me something and then I get even more nervous and upset as I feel the blush. I feel that my bosses and coworkers see me as incompetent or insecure in my job skills.

This report has brought me to tears to know that I am not alone in this issue.

Thank you for sharing!

Dave: That's what Brandon Thomas' parents wanted.

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  • ron prevost wrote...
    from the other MYNW post, by the News Chick, we leard this kid suffered in silence .
    July 12, 2012 5:42 pm
    What he didn't realize is thatusually - no matter the problem - the worst thing is doing nothing about it. If there is anything to learn, it's that you should tell someone. Telling and talking don't assure help, but not telling or talking cetrainly assures there will be none.
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