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Can we change our stims?

Mantra

Hi, I've noticed that when I'm trying to focus hard on work or when I'm stressed... I scratch my skin. I've done this since I was a child. When either the work or stress (or both) get really intense, the scratching can intensify until I'm bleeding. I'd really like to scratch something other than myself to stop hurting myself, but I think the scratching sensation really helps drown out other background senses.

Is it possible to channel this destructive scratching into something, anything, else? Has anyone ever managed that?

Or.... what stims help you focus AND drown out background distractions?

(Tempted to wear gloves haha!! It's not that bad yet, though!)

Thank you in advance :-) 

Parents

  • Thanks, everyone, for your replies and ideas!

    Great to hear quite a few of you have changed stims and found other things to explore.

    Fascinating that the skin picking thing is so common.

    My scalp seems to have got the worst of my habits lately. I think it's because the sensations feel 'closer' and drown out the further away sensations in the rest of my body. I'm wondering if I can find something else head-based like massaging my head or hair... That tiny sensation of pain that comes with scratching feels so good though.

    Will explore objects in my hands a bit more as well. I have a tiny seashell about the size of a baked bean that I found with a crinkled edge that my nails can just fit around, so that's been giving my nails something else to explore. Hopefully that helps, too.

Reply

  • Thanks, everyone, for your replies and ideas!

    Great to hear quite a few of you have changed stims and found other things to explore.

    Fascinating that the skin picking thing is so common.

    My scalp seems to have got the worst of my habits lately. I think it's because the sensations feel 'closer' and drown out the further away sensations in the rest of my body. I'm wondering if I can find something else head-based like massaging my head or hair... That tiny sensation of pain that comes with scratching feels so good though.

    Will explore objects in my hands a bit more as well. I have a tiny seashell about the size of a baked bean that I found with a crinkled edge that my nails can just fit around, so that's been giving my nails something else to explore. Hopefully that helps, too.

Children
  • in reply to Mantra
    Mantra said:
    My scalp seems to have got the worst of my habits lately. I think it's because the sensations feel 'closer' and drown out the further away sensations in the rest of my body. I'm wondering if I can find something else head-based like massaging my head or hair... That tiny sensation of pain that comes with scratching feels so good though.

    Yes - direct connection to the brain - feels sooooo good.