Stimming

Oopy said:

I definitely can relate to that out-loud reminders thing... I do it most when I'm very stressed, near meltdown stage. It's worst when I have a lot of things to do at once, eg. if I'm getting ready to go to out. I remind myself over and over things like "I need to get my bag, I need to get my bag" until I've done what needs to be done. I rock too. This one caused the most problems with my family when I was younger because (although sometimes they were sympathetic) they usually saw it as an attention seeking behaviour. Strangely my friends have had no problem with it. I flap my hands when excited or afraid. I didn't know I did it that often, but my best friend and girlfriend both insist I do it all the time. I pace a lot. It's very difficult for me to not be at home because I have to stop myself from pacing everywhere else. Not sure if this counts but I always touch (scratch... Rub?) my neck when I'm nervous. I'm pale with sensitive skin so I have red scratch marks often! I often outline things in my head, for example if someone has writing or a logo on their shirt. If it's someone I know well I might reach out and trace the outline with my hands without thinking. I usually do that until whatever is causing me stress has passed or I've calmed down. I also hit my head if things are very bad, but thankfully this has because less common as I've gotten older.

By coincidence, I was repeatedly scratching my arm when I was being diagnosed by a Psychiatrist!  

 when i begin to stim i find that i also get a a strange sensation in my ears almost like they are tightening up, i  then  hold my head side ways ( normally always specifically to the left )  and rub my middle nuckle on my left hand along the lower part of my right arm, whilst doing this i also rock slightly back and forward. But when i stim there seems to be no variation it is always the same, also whilst this happens it is impossible for me to talk coherently or make sense when i am speeking and i cannot keep eye contact at all. 

for me it would be interesting to know how you stop stimming since once i start i cannot stop it and i never know how long they will last for. if you have any answers to this please reply...

My stimming often revolves around hand flapping, pacing in circles when I really need to think, rocking backwards and forwards, and fiddling with my hair etc. I am not as self-conscious about this as I used to be whereas in the past I was on small doses of medication to make the symptoms less common in order to cope with school life. Stimming can take many different forms and like some of you have said most of the time we're not aware of it.

Hi,

The best advice i can give is get a PUPPY yeh you can play with it all day long,go for walks and best thing is talk to it and nobody will know weather you are talking to your self or the Puppy.

As for picking my nose ive tried it and given up i kept getting nose bleeds when i did it.

Stimming:

I pick my nose, only in private. I used to do it in front of parents but don't anymore, only by myself.

Rocking when excited, stressed, or thinking deeply.

Pacing room and/or walking on tip-toes

Running, skipping, jumping when excited or when I have a momentary relief from anxiety.

pressing neck

rubbing eyes

playing with hands and fingers

When sitting down I swing my legs if there is room

Giggling and talking aloud. Like you I sometimes verbalize my thoughts.