The need to headbang...?

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so ive been doing so well with no headbanging, mainly because i noticed i was seriously injuroring myself, losing my vision, dizziness, detachfullness, crazzzy , but i noticed i started having siezures like crazy, had weird headaches and became more irritable, not myself. Its been for awhile like couple weeks with only few minor slip ups(was so proud of myself), and then last night i freaked out big time, first i punched my head, then used my home phone to slam against my head, then my cellphone, then finally the wall and my solid metal pan i slammed big time against my head . Afterwards, i felt so much better, felt like a huge cloud has been lifted like all the pain jus disappeared, i didnt feel in a fog, wasnt upset or irritable, starting humming again, my headache disappeared, it was amazing. swear it felt like i was all of a sudden cured from this pain that just took over my whole entire body, if i could call it anything literally felt like somebody took a needle and suck out all my pain and frustration . Does anybody know why this happens, why after i headbang im so much better, basically i need to headbang, think its sensory related, any insight or advice or even opinions is greatly appreciated

No idea why, other than for me too (I feel this uncontrollable urge to hit my head), I feel better after I've hit my head with my fist or banged my forehead against something when I'm overwhelmed or something similar.

Probably comes under the "self-destructive" heading, even if it does make us feel better ("sensory seeking").

I'm also very curious about why this is.

In times of severe stress or sensory-overload, I will also hit my head. I usually just do it with my hands, and it can range from hard tapping to full-out punches. And yes, for some reason it does seem to alleviate some of the negative feelings.

My thoughts are that the physical sensations of being hit in the head are so arresting and overwhelming, that they drown out other thoughts and feelings. Also, I would imagine that extreme head-banging would trigger the release of endorphins, which would account for the change in mental state, amongst other things.

I just always feel self-conscious when hitting myself in the head... behaviors like this remind me of my autism, just when I felt like I was doing really well and not being affected by it.

yea its weird isnt it? im so much happier today especially im actually giving hugs, actually very giggly enjoying, humming, flappy, all because i slammed my head, its just complete mystery idk.

I do this sometimes, it feels good, like against people, I think it's both a form of stress dissipation and a (primitive) way of making contact (I do it only with people I feel comfortable with).

I would think it the same as any kind of self injury. Any kind of cutting or headbanging makes things feel better for awhile.

I do that when I'm very frustrated or angry, I punch/slap my head to "knock" the anger out of me, it does work for a short time. I only do this when alone though, and my own family don't know about it. Also if I have a thought, like something from the past that makes me cringe, I have to shake my head and hands (once again when alone) to shake the thought out.

I am also a headbanger and I notice the same thing too. I know it's a self destructive habit, but it's very hard to break. The moment I begin to experience sensory overload or stress I will very often hit my head against something hard like a wall, a desk or a table, or I will hit my head with a heavy object. For some reason this is more effective than other types of self injury and it usually doesn't leave marks like cuts, burns, or self-inflicted bite marks if I hit a part of my head covered with hair (unless I crack my head open, which I usually don't). Sometimes I'll get a big bump and a bruise under my hair that will stay sore for a few days, but other than that they usually don't cause headaches or dizziness...not sure though if it isn't causing long term damage....

For me physical pain can be comforting during a meltdown. I think it's due to the flood of endorphins that physical pain causes. It is more effective than a klonopin or a xanax and kicks in within about 30 seconds as opposed to 15-30 minutes (by which time the meltdown or panic attack has subsided anyway) and it has less side effects. However just like klonopin or xanax....this can also be addictive. I haven't found a way to break the habit.....I just am better about doing it in front of people now.

I'm a headbanger too. I do it when I feel very stressed out about one thing or another. However, it doesn't necessary make me feel better, and I've been trying to stop.

I bang my head when overwhelmed or stressed, with my hand or against something. It feels good, though it can hurt quite alot and cause problems

I just remembered hitting myself on the head with my notebook in 2nd grade...

Every now and then when I'm really frustrated, I bang my head on the head rest of the car seat or the wall or the elevator door...I don't know that I feel significantly better afterwards, it's just a way for me to cope.

As for headbanging in concerts, I don't like that very much.

it just removes stress for me

That makes a lot of sense to me. I'm not a head-banger, but when I think about something from the past that makes me cringe, or feel really bad about something and need to get it out of my system, I brush my face and forehead with my knuckles, like I'm brushing it all away. Sometimes I'll brush my hands, too, or run my fingers through my hair as if I'm trying to get a bug out of it.

The physical sensation (mostly pain) that I get if I accidentally bump my head on something is so unpleasant, and not satisfying at all, that I can't imagine myself doing it on purpose.

it's because your brain produces dopamine when you do this.... this makes you happy...

otherways to get the same result are:
* Shaking your head, like in a concert (your neck will hurt)
* Eat lots of chocolat (you will become fat)
* Smoke a joint / take some mescaline (but you`ll go to jail in some countries)
* Sports (you`re not in the mood for this )

Maybe also videogames will do ? Isn't videogame addiction related to the dopamine pathways ?

having fun creates dopemine, but it's hard to have fun when you are pissed off