Stress causing stimming?

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So in the the last month my stimming habits have changed. I just use to bounce my leg and tap a pen. But now I am rocking when sitting and standing and sometimes hitting my chest repeatedly with my arm. Everybody tells me that it is stress related and that it's not a big deal. But it is for me since I am the one having to deal with the stress and the resulting stimming.

So my question is can stress cause a change in stimming? If so how does one decrease stress when it's just normal life that is causing it?

I didn't even know that stimming was a normal autistic thing until recently and I had no idea why I did it. Every time I tried to stop it something else started, and some of them were annoying to others and/or self-injurious. The only way I have ever successfully stopped a stim is by replacing it with something else.

Yes stress can cause stimming but that is also normal for NTs too. But foot tapping is more common and finger drumming, or pacing. Those are the things they usually do when they are anxious. But autistic people just tend to do other things for stimming under stress like rocking or self injuries or head banging.

Mine is worse with stress.

Stress definitely can cause an increase in stimming. It does for me. When I start doing a new stim, it's usually during times of particular stress.

I hear you about life in general causing stress. I have generalized anxiety disorder, and anything and everything can be a trigger anytime. I can't avoid the majority of my triggers, so for me it's about finding things that are relaxing that I can do to decompress and recharge, and finding strategies to help deal with the anxiety when I have to do something that is triggering.

Different things work for different people. To relax and decompress I might snuggle with my cat, sit in my rocking chair and watch my favorite TV show, color, do a puzzle and listen to an audiobook, or research my special interest. To deal with stress in the moment, I use grounding and relaxation techniques I learned in therapy, play with a fidget (I use a hair tie or bracelet that I wear on my wrist all the time, so I always have a fidget available when I need one), or use my weighted vest. Another thing that's helped reduce my stress is learning how to manage my sensory issues really well.

I've destroyed so many pens and paper clips as they are handy to fidget with. I'm usually swinging a leg if sitting.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Yeah I was wondering if that could happen. I rocked a little bit as a kid but not excessively like I am now.



I have an anxiety disorder but which one I am not sure. Each doctor I have seen over the years has a different opinion. I have been diagnosed with PTSD, Generalized, Anxiety NOS, and Panic disorder with agoraphobia.



I just bought a weighted vest and it seems to help. But my biggest problem lately have been completing ordinary things I normally do. I got so worked up today that I was pacing, rocking, hitting my chest, and crying all because I was trying to do the dishes. Now I normally hate doing the dishes since I hate the feel of the wet dirty dishes but I normally can do it. Did the same thing last week at work with a daily task. Sigh I have no idea what is going on with me.

I have my initial assessment appointment this week and am scared about that. I think I might have autism but I am not sure. Scared to get a diagnosis and scared to not get one. All I know is that she will see me in a bad week because I doubt things will get better this week.

Yeah, anxiety disorders are really not clear cut. I have generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety disorder NOS, and trauma related anxiety but I don't have full blown PTSD. I used to have a dx of Panic Disorder too, but lost that dx a couple months ago since my panic attacks have gotten much less severe and more manageable.


I'm sorry things have gotten worse for you lately. It's never fun when that happens. I can't tolerate the feeling of sponges and dishwater either. Have you tried rubber kitchen gloves? That's what I use.

Getting a dx of autism can be a positive thing. It was one of the best things that's ever happened to me because it opened up a whole new world of understanding, support, and resources. It can be scary though.

I stim constantly for no reason so it is more like stereotypies or stereotypical movement disorder.
It's patterned rhythmical hand, arm, foot movements, head nodding, rocking.
Not attached to a particular emotion.
All the time I'm in my own world thinking and I have rhythmical stereotypies but I don't self harm.
If I try to stop I become conscious of my breathing and I can't think and it automatically starts again without me being aware of it.

Stress does not cause stimming. The stimming behaviour is a response to stress, not a result of it.

Thanks for saying this. ^

I was going to say that I wouldn't try to stop stimming, because it's like saying I'm starving so the solution is to stop eating. The stimming is helping you to survive the stress. I would try being more mindful of the everyday things that are causing you stress so that you can narrow down what about it is bothering you. Like the gloves for washing dishes idea- that's a great solution.

If you can figure out what little things in all the things you do that are causing the problems, I'm sure there are people here or around you in real life who have workaround solutions to help.

Where the hell was this thread three months ago?!?!? LOL

It took me three months to put it together for myself and a few questions here and there on the forums....

One corollary I would like to add that I discovered in myself.

Suppressing the stimming can elevate my stress levels. When out, I am conditioned to keep it mild (hands in pockets, constant finger fiddling, gentle swaying, etc). It carried over to my home life. When I caught myself starting to stim more, I would suppress out of training (usually violent from my stepfather and not as violent from my dad. Remember, the times were different. My Dad was about the norm for the time and sometimes a bit more. But the stepfather was beyond the pale). Now that I have let things go at home, as it were, it has helped with the stress.

Now my struggles are to be rid of that training and replace it with proper activities through better means. Find that real balance.