question about stimming

Post Reply New Topic

I know there is another active thread about stimming, but I didn't want to hijack the thread, or have my question get buried.

What is the difference between stimming and nervous 'fidgetting'? I'm not sure that fidgetting is the right word but it sort of fits. NT's do little things similar to stimming all the time such as a girl twirling her hair, or a nervous perssonchewing on a pencil, or the smoker playing with his cigarette before he lights it, and so on.

Can anybody explain the difference between these two similar behaviors?

I know that my stims and my fidgets are two totally different things. I have never had difficulty knowing one from the other. But I do not have a clue how to explain the difference. e someone else does.

The difference for is that a fidget type thing is something I usually do when I am impatient or a little nervous. I might tap my fingers or something like that. When I stim, it is more of a response to sooth the effects of over stimulation from sensory overload. I rock a lot or headbang sometimes depending on the stimuli. Sometimes I rub my feet together or rub my eyebrows or the bridge of my nose. I will rub smooth objects too or knead my thigh or calf muscles. I sometimes stim when I am anxious too but it's different from a little nervous fidgeting because the anxiety is coming from a different place. It's more of an anxiety from an inability to cope rather than just being a little nervous about something. Like I might get nervous about a difficult ski run or a difficult obstacle on the BMX track or on a mountain bike trail or nervous that I might not make it in time before the store closes. But I will get anxious if I can't cope in a social situation or if I am suffering from sensory overload and then I will stim.

Thanks skibum. That helps a lot.

I remember up to the age of six blowing spit bubbles, and being in a different state of mind. From what you describe, I fidget a lot these days. It sounds like I used to stim as a young kid.

You are very welcome FallingdownMan, I am glad to be able to help.