Congratulations on earning your degrees.
Ear rubbing sounds like a form of stimming a natural behavoir for autistic people. Since this
form of stimming is causing discomfort it might be advisable to find another stim. You probably do other forms of stimming without realizing it, so you can identify them and use them to calm when stressed.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stimming
_________________
Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity
“My autism is not a superpower. It also isn’t some kind of god-forsaken, endless fountain of suffering inflicted on my family. It’s just part of who I am as a person”. - Sara Luterman