Stimming in non-autistic people?

[valerian moon]

(The only reason I didn't say "neurotypical" is because I am not. I have mental illness too, so my neuro is definitely atypical.)


My question is this: if somebody uses self-stimulating behaviors (such as chewing their lip, flapping their hands, or making noise to stop ringing in their ears when there's silence) is that "normal" or is it a sign of something like anxiety, or just part of borderline personality disorder? (which I have)

[Holdasown]

My brother has a ringing in his ear from a head injury and needs noise to drown it out. I know it sounds strange. Most people have things they do to relax. If the behavior is hindering them seeing a doctor would help. There are techniques to reduce those things in autistic kids so I could work with anxiety. Many autistics have anxiety too so it makes sense.

[citrine]

Actually, if the medical issues have been sorted out with the specialists... and the ringing still continues... The cause could be spiritual as well. For me, about six-seven months ago, it was a sign from, literally, other dimension (long story). Constant ringing in the ear... When I started to pay attention to synchronicities and other signs it stopped and never came back. Just two cents here, also been diagnosed with high-functional autism, ADHD and PTSD officially.

[RosieMoonflower]

Actually, if the medical issues have been sorted out with the specialists... and the ringing still continues... The cause could be spiritual as well. For me, about six-seven months ago, it was a sign from, literally, other dimension (long story). Constant ringing in the ear... When I started to pay attention to synchronicities and other signs it stopped and never came back. Just two cents here, also been diagnosed with high-functional autism, ADHD and PTSD officially.

My diagnosis is non-verbal learning disorder on the spectrum of aspergers. But, now a days they says aspergers IS autism, so who knows? But, I also have the ringing and often feel pressure in my ears. It's not all the time and I've never had a head injury. Mostly when I'm laying down about to sleep or when I'm meditating, praying, or concentrating on spiritual things. I'm clairaudient so I can actually hear spirits' different voices, so I know the ringing isn't them speaking to me. I've wondered if it just means they are ear as I've read online that the ringing can be my ears adjusting to other frequencies brought on by spiritual entities in the vicinity.

Rosie

[citrine]

Yeah, that's what I meant by "long story" as well, the spirits usually communicate what they intend to me directly too, it's very distinct but happened only two times so far. As far as I understand this ringing is the adjustment, "jumping dimensions" basically, some sort of "push notification" from beyond Presence of spirits though... not sure if it's particularly connected to the spirit communication. Could be, yes, signs of further awakening or an "energy upgrade" rather. When it happened to me I just had to look around very carefully... started noticing things like number plates, random graffiti and ultimately some weird patterns on the walls around. Switched off judgement and just journaled everything. Then, the supposedly "necessary" information was just imprinted deeply within the subconscious within few months from that moment (and life finally started to improve radically since then), and... in the end, I'm still pondering, maybe that was this "Wave-X" upgrade they talked about last year? It happened during August / September mostly (at its peak). When did it start happening to you?

Actually, if the medical issues have been sorted out with the specialists... and the ringing still continues... The cause could be spiritual as well. For me, about six-seven months ago, it was a sign from, literally, other dimension (long story). Constant ringing in the ear... When I started to pay attention to synchronicities and other signs it stopped and never came back. Just two cents here, also been diagnosed with high-functional autism, ADHD and PTSD officially.

My diagnosis is non-verbal learning disorder on the spectrum of aspergers. But, now a days they says aspergers IS autism, so who knows? But, I also have the ringing and often feel pressure in my ears. It's not all the time and I've never had a head injury. Mostly when I'm laying down about to sleep or when I'm meditating, praying, or concentrating on spiritual things. I'm clairaudient so I can actually hear spirits' different voices, so I know the ringing isn't them speaking to me. I've wondered if it just means they are ear as I've read online that the ringing can be my ears adjusting to other frequencies brought on by spiritual entities in the vicinity.

Rosie

[RosieMoonflower]

I would say this has happened to me my entire life, however, it wasn't until about a year ago that I really believed what was going on. I had mostly told myself that all the thing I would hear or know was just my imagination. But, when I began to believe what was happening was real, the experiences began to happen more often.

Rosie

[Becks]

Bringing it back to the original question-I think that the answer depends, and is best asked of a healthcare professional.

I will say that to some extent everybody has sensory needs that differ. I have behaviours that I do to help me focus or dissipate excess energy. I do have a touch of anxiety and feel the need to dispel excess energy that comes to me from being stimulated and so I'll fidget with pens, wiggle my feet, as you say-chew my lips by pressing my lips together.....

Everybody has normal self regulatory behaviours. When watching tv my foot is always wiggling. Where "normal" and "abnormal" intersect would be a matter of professional opinion, and it probably has something to do with these activities impeding one's ability to do what they have to without the behaviours, and resulting thoughts, getting in the way of functioning. Again, a professional would best answer this one.

[Floyd Pinkerton]

I do this. As far as I know, I'm not on the spectrum. But I play with/chew on my lips, flap my feet, play with the skin around my nails, play with the curls in my hair and twirl my hair, etc. I think it's a way to help me deal with my anxiety. Oddly enough, it calms me down.

[jaybirdblue]

I think that a lot of people do self soothing actions, especially in times of stress. I think that is normal. My brother constantly chewed his nails and every chewed pencil eraser and pen cap in the house. As far as I know, he has no mental illnesses.
But yea, it is often symptomatic in nature if it either interferes with daily activities or is accompanied by other symptoms of mental illness. It really depends of the severity. I personally stim almost constantly. Pinching myself, popping my knuckled and other joints, and I have texture specific stim toys on hand at all times. When my service dog isn't in reach, I pretty much go into sensory overload without something to ground me. But I'm also on the spectrum, so I'm a bad example.

[Floyd Pinkerton]

I just remembered this! For anybody who does stim and it interferes with normal activity, like work and classes and whatnot, there are websites out there that provide toys, jewelry, etc. that are specifically designed for stimming. I've personally been wanting to buy something from one of these sites for a while.
http://www.stimtastic.co/
https://www.therapyshoppe.com/category/8-fidget-toys