Embarrassment

My health question today is – can you literally die of embarrassment? I did something epically dumb this morning that may cost me a new job. I confused a no email for a role at a company for a role where I am 2 rounds of interviews deep in the process with final interviews pending. A role that I have been pursuing for 11 weeks and think I could be a rock star in. And of course the person who has been my contact and could potentially be my boss is the one who pointed my error out to me. In my defense, the role titles and req numbers are very similar – I just didn’t check my job application spreadsheet before I leaped into disappointment. I would like to die of embarrassment this morning,

So I asked Chat GPT if you can die of embarrassment. The odds are low, but yes you can. Here’s what I got:

Yes, in rare cases, embarrassment can be fatal. For example, in 1860, a housemaid who was caught stealing food from a larder died suddenly after the incident, and doctors were unable to determine the cause. However, it’s likely that a sudden rush of adrenaline, similar to the one that occurs during stressful situations, was a factor. Another way to die from embarrassment indirectly is by not reporting a medical condition until it’s too late. For example, some people may be embarrassed about getting a colonoscopy, which can cause discomfort, but almost all patients don’t remember the procedure. 

Embarrassment can also trigger self-destructive behaviors and suicidal thoughts and actions. Men may be especially vulnerable if they are confronted with evidence that they aren’t as smart, powerful, or brave as they think they should be. 

Here are some tips for coping with embarrassment: 

• Practice self-compassion 
• Stay calm and take a deep breath 
• Laugh it off 
• Confront the situation 
• Learn from it 
• Treat yourself with grace and compassion 
• Acknowledge what really happened and own the situation or mistake 
• Spotlight levity 
• Remember that you are not alone 
• Distract yourself 

I’ve definitely learned something from this. I need to learn to curb my tendency leap into disappointment during this job search. I’m trying to treat myself with grace and compassion – hope my potential new boss will too.