Just realised I’m a bit odd....needing to touch the wall

[Sebo]

I’ve always known that I can’t sleep unless I’m touching the wall or bedside table with my fingers but I’ve only recently realised that I unconsciously seek out physical pressure in my fingers and thumbs. Examples are:

When I’m on the train, I have to have both thumbs pushing hard on the edge of the table.

When I hold my phone, I hold it with my thumb and index finger far harder than needed (to the point of fingers aching after 5/10 mins).

When I drive (automatic car) my left thumb is pushed into the side of the centre console.

Why do I do this? Should I consciously try and stop? (When I do consciously stop myself, I feel uncomfortable and a bit anxious until I resume applying pressure through my thumbs / fingers)

Yep.. bonkers I’m sure but there we go

[ReallyReallyGood]

Don’t be so touchy about it.

[CAPP0]

Can't immediately think of anything physical which would cause this, and it's different types of pressure in different situations by the sound of it? Could me more of an anxiety/OCD issue. Worth talking it through with the GP for starters.

[RTB]

I'm no expert but it sounds like mild stimming behaviour. My eldest son used to clasp his hands together really tightly when he was anxious or excited about something. I was really worried at the time, as it can be indicative of autism spectrum disorder. He just sort of grew out of it after a few years.

From what I can gather providing it's not impacting other activities then it's a relatively normal thing to do. Lots of people tap their feet, or jig their legs about, other people tap pens or play with their hair when anxious or concentrating.

Have a google for stimming.

[Sebo]

Thanks for the feedback, I do feel it's related to the crushing anxiety I get from time to time and some of my behaviours which could be described as "rigid" by some and odd by others (only ever wear the same clothes (not literally the same, I have multiple pairs of the same clothes)).

Stimming - very interesting, I watched a documentary on Autism last night and heard this spoken about.

I suspect / hope that my odd quirks will come to nothing and it's simply a case that they've always been there and I am merely becoming more aware of them - my fear is they debilitate into some kind of full on OCD sufferer, unable to leave the house without turning every light switch on and off 109 times and locking and unlocking the door 25 times

[BorisJ]

Is it worth trying hypnotherapy? I found I was very relaxed after each session almost ethereal.
Between times the relaxation techniques I learned really helped.