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Stimming

Orangegnome

Hi I’d like to ask a question related to stimming. Is it something you feel you consciously or unconsciously  choose to do? I do find myself rocking or stimming with my hands without even thinking about it, but also will reach for my favourite cuddly toy as the material feels so nice to me, and that one is definitely consciously choosing to do it. I know that I have always stimmed a lot but sadly mask when with others as it makes me worry what people will assume about me. No one thinks it’s normal for a 50 year old woman to suck her thumb but it just feels so good. As someone who isn’t diagnosed but I score very highly in every test I’ve done, this is all new to me as I just thought it was how I was, but adding a lot of things together and researching shows I am definitely on the spectrum and my mind has been crying out for help for a long time. 

Parents

  • It came up at my assessment, they noticed I would start to rock back and forth, this would stop as soon as I became self aware of it. I would then switch to a less noticeable stim. I’m more comfortable stimming at home, I wouldn’t in public unless it was something unnoticeable. I read one of your earlier posts, my wife is a nurse in her 50’s, she worked in endoscopy for quite a long while, for the last 6 years she has worked in the community as a Community nurse.

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  • It came up at my assessment, they noticed I would start to rock back and forth, this would stop as soon as I became self aware of it. I would then switch to a less noticeable stim. I’m more comfortable stimming at home, I wouldn’t in public unless it was something unnoticeable. I read one of your earlier posts, my wife is a nurse in her 50’s, she worked in endoscopy for quite a long while, for the last 6 years she has worked in the community as a Community nurse.

Children
  • in reply to Roy
    Roy said:
    my wife is a nurse in her 50’s, she worked in endoscopy for quite a long while

    I had an endoscopy last week in hospital. Up the nose and down the throat, this had always been a fear of mine as I struggle with panic attacks which makes my throat feel restricted and in turn feel like being sick. Needless to say I felt ashamed having 4 or 5 people in the room watching a 50 year old have a panic attack and in tears whilst having a complete meltdown.

    I am quite proud of myself now though for managing it in a fashion. 

  • in reply to Roy

    Yes I am a community nurse too, it’s much easier for me cope being out and about. So it’s not just me that feels the stimming thing can be toned down or up depending on location or company, I’m glad to hear that. As I don’t have a formal diagnosis I wondered if I’m making it up and I’m not autistic enough, but reading here I feel very much the same experience as others! Do you stim for comfort and fun as well as if you are stressed?