Do you stim or are you more still than usual when depressed?

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alexi
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08 Jul 2011, 3:27 am

I stim (mostly rock) a lot. More or less whenever I am sitting down. I've noticed though that when I feel depressed I stim less. And when I am extremely depressed, not at all. It is surprising to me as I always assumed that I rocked whenever I was upset, but apparently not.

I noticed it recently when I was seeing my psychologist and I was sitting very still (for me). I felt very depressed. But because I was not rocking excessively like usual I think that she probably thought that I was doing really well.

Anyone relate?

ZakFiend
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08 Jul 2011, 5:16 am

Yup... it has to do with the amount of energy expended. Stimming required energy, depression means you're drained.

The literature confuses stimming as something we do to calm ourselves down and in some circumstances that is true. But often we stim just because we like the positive feeling we get from doing it. There are different kinds of stimming for different reasons.

purchase
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08 Jul 2011, 10:49 am

ZakFiend wrote:

True! Even family members still haven't gotten it that I pace because I like pacing. It doesn't mean I'm nervous. 80% of the time I'm not.

abyssquick
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08 Jul 2011, 2:15 pm

purchase wrote:

ZakFiend wrote:

True! Even family members still haven't gotten it that I pace because I like pacing. It doesn't mean I'm nervous. 80% of the time I'm not.

I pace like crazy, it makes people nervous. But I have to move in order to think clearly. My whole being becomes kinetic when I am thinking and talking. All or nothing.

purchase
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08 Jul 2011, 3:54 pm

abyssquick wrote:

I pace like crazy, it makes people nervous. But I have to move in order to think clearly. My whole being becomes kinetic when I am thinking and talking. All or nothing.

Yes that's true for me too! Good explanation! That phrase applies to so much in my life actually. "All or nothing."

kittie
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08 Jul 2011, 4:54 pm

Ah, I understand everyone on the pacing!! ! I often pace or just run from wall to wall.
I guess I rock and tongue click and press my fingers and nails a lot though.

But when I'm depressed, I'm the opposite - I just stop stimming, and become very still...

MakaylaTheAspie
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08 Jul 2011, 5:14 pm

Whenever I'm not walking, I wiggle my toes. I don't know why, but i guess it maybe lets me know they're still there.

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kittie
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08 Jul 2011, 5:31 pm

MakaylaTheAspie wrote:

Whenever I'm not walking, I wiggle my toes. I don't know why, but i guess it maybe lets me know they're still there.

I do that!! !

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