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I don't stim, but maybe I should start

Nessie

I've read a lot about how stimming is a common—almost universal—autistic behaviour, but it's not something I've ever done (to my knowledge). Depending on the situation, either I get quite OCD about cleaning and tidying everything around me (it has to be absolutely spotless and aligned perfectly parallel), or I self-harm, but I don't stim in the traditional sense (or maybe I'm misunderstanding the term).

Given that my education, career and general life keeps getting interrupted with stress-induced illnesses, I'm wondering if I need to find a suitable stim to help me cope in daily situations rather than holding everything in until I meltdown, shutdown or completely burnout.

  • Can you remember a time when you didn't stim? If so, when did you start and how did you settle on the stim you now use?
  • Or, have your stims changed over time? If so, why did you choose one in preference to another?

Any insights and advice welcome. Thanks.

Parents

  • I've always been a picker. The skin around my thumbnails is a mess and constantly bleeding. I used to pick my earlobes until they bled but people noticed it too much. I wasn't allowed to deviate from the norm as a kid so everything I do is discrete and usually harms me.

    During the assessment they noticed an eye twitch, pushing my toes into the floor, touching my face a lot. 

    Since diagnosis I have noticed I will make a fist in one hand and slap it with the other hand a lot. Only in private but it really helps relieve something.

  • in reply to Fraiselongue
    Fraiselongue said:
    I wasn't allowed to deviate from the norm as a kid so everything I do is discrete and usually harms me.

    I can really relate to that. Thank you for sharing this with us. As sad as it is, I'm grateful to know that I'm not alone in this.

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  • in reply to Fraiselongue
    Fraiselongue said:
    I wasn't allowed to deviate from the norm as a kid so everything I do is discrete and usually harms me.

    I can really relate to that. Thank you for sharing this with us. As sad as it is, I'm grateful to know that I'm not alone in this.

Children