Hand wringing episodes.

[Achán hiNidráne]

Hey all:

I need a little diagnosis. Since I was a child, when I was excited, angry, or agitated, I would start to violently wring or rub my hands, arms, face, head or any other surface (e.g. a pillow or desk) I could get ahold of. Sometimes I'll start to make noises such as growls or squeals as I'm doing it, and it is accompanied by a general feeling of extreme emotion and tension. It can be very disturbing to watch for someone who doesn't expect it.

For instance, I could be reading a magazine article or watching TV and I come across a quote that I disagree with. I'll suddenly feel very, very angry and start to wring me hands. Normally, I'll catch myself, try to calm down and hope that no one saw me doing it.


This has been freaking me out for years and so far no one has every given me an answer as to what's wrong with me. Is it a symptom of bipolar disorder or autisim? Has anyone seen or heard of anything like it before?

 

[emperorchaos]

You are actually not a member of the human species. We are aware of this and someone will be by to capture you shortly.

Actually, as a child and teenager I used to shake uncontrollably when I got angry, even from something as unimportant as something someone says.

But, as I grew older, the frequency of this happening has diminished significantly, no matter how angry I get. I don't know how old you are, but maybe you too will have the same luck?

 

[aggle-rithm]

Hey all:

I need a little diagnosis. Since I was a child, when I was excited, angry, or agitated, I would start to violently wring or rub my hands, arms, face, head or any other surface (e.g. a pillow or desk) I could get ahold of. Sometimes I'll start to make noises such as growls or squeals as I'm doing it, and it is accompanied by a general feeling of extreme emotion and tension. It can be very disturbing to watch for someone who doesn't expect it.

For instance, I could be reading a magazine article or watching TV and I come across a quote that I disagree with. I'll suddenly feel very, very angry and start to wring me hands. Normally, I'll catch myself, try to calm down and hope that no one saw me doing it.


This has been freaking me out for years and so far no one has every given me an answer as to what's wrong with me. Is it a symptom of bipolar disorder or autisim? Has anyone seen or heard of anything like it before?

Sounds a little like a mild form of Tourette's syndrome. I've heard sufferers say that the urge to "tic" or cry out is as great as the urge to breathe would be if you held your breath for two minutes.

It's also a little reminiscent of the "stimming" behaviors used by people with autism. In this case, there isn't an uncontrollable urge to engage in the behavior, it's just an attempt to calm themselves down.

 

[aggle-rithm]

You are actually not a member of the human species. We are aware of this and someone will be by to capture you shortly.

Actually, as a child and teenager I used to shake uncontrollably when I got angry, even from something as unimportant as something someone says.

But, as I grew older, the frequency of this happening has diminished significantly, no matter how angry I get. I don't know how old you are, but maybe you too will have the same luck?

When I was pre-school age, my sister was studying to be a nurse. One day she saw a film on autistic children, and immediately recognized the "stimming" behaviors -- arm flapping, rocking, etc. -- because that's what she had seen me do when anxious or upset (which was virtually all the time). She told my parents that I might be autistic, at which time they told her sternly never to mention this screwball theory again.

When I got to school, this changed to throat-clearing, eye-blinking, and other compulsive behaviors. Today, it consists mainly of (very energetically) tapping my feet or drumming my fingers whenever I have to sit still for long periods.

The important thing to note is that the behavoir itself can be learned and unlearned, it's the compulsive repetition that's the common element.

 

[Vorticity]

I have a rather similar thing. Whenever I get upset, I feel an uncontrollable urge to repeat a random word several times in a loud voice. What the word is changes from time to time. For instance, for a long time when I was a teenager, the word was "three". I'd shake my head and repeat "three" over and over. Right now I'm going through an odd spell where the word is "Kalashnikov", for some reason. I'll hear something that upsets me and go into "Kalashnikov. Kalashnikov. KALASHNIKOV!", accompanied by head jerks.

I've never seen anyone about it because I can generally control it when other people are around, although if I hold it in for too long it sort of builds up and becomes more difficult to deal with. This is somewhat of a problem right now because I'm sharing an office all day with another guy. I've learned to wait until I'm alone (e.g. the drive home) before letting out a few "Kalashnikov"s.

I've often thought it might be a form of Tourette's.

 

[Gravy]

Hi Mark.
While I think you can potentially get lots of good advice here, I don't think it's the place to come for a diagnosis of a condition that's serious enough to be worrying you this much. You may anecdotally share similar symptoms with someone on this forum whose medical diagnosis is very different from yours.

If you're not satisfied with your local health professionals, there are lots of resources available to help direct you to someone who does have the answers. I would start by calling my local health department and/or mental health dept. You can also email the NIMH at nimh.nih.gov (sorry, can't post links yet). They've got lots of free publications and advice. There may also be a moderated anger management support group near you...a great source of information, as long as you don't say anything to piss them off.

The important thing is to not quit until you're satisfied.

BTW, that's the first time I have ever used a smilie (or freaky) emoticon, anywhere. I've been waiting until they evolved enough to meet my needs.

 

[epepke]

Hey all:

I need a little diagnosis. Since I was a child, when I was excited, angry, or agitated, I would start to violently wring or rub my hands, arms, face, head or any other surface (e.g. a pillow or desk) I could get ahold of. Sometimes I'll start to make noises such as growls or squeals as I'm doing it, and it is accompanied by a general feeling of extreme emotion and tension. It can be very disturbing to watch for someone who doesn't expect it.

I rub my nose, with the flat fingers against my nose.

I don't worry about it. Other people think it's funny, but that's their problem. My fiancee's even picked up the habit from me.

 

[Achán hiNidráne]

I rub my nose, with the flat fingers against my nose.

I don't worry about it. Other people think it's funny, but that's their problem. My fiancee's even picked up the habit from me.

You haven't seen me do it. The people who have tell me, in no uncertain terms, that it scares the hell out of them. Also, can you imagine what it was like for me in school?

 

[emperorchaos]

I have a rather similar thing. Whenever I get upset, I feel an uncontrollable urge to repeat a random word several times in a loud voice. What the word is changes from time to time. For instance, for a long time when I was a teenager, the word was "three". I'd shake my head and repeat "three" over and over. Right now I'm going through an odd spell where the word is "Kalashnikov", for some reason. I'll hear something that upsets me and go into "Kalashnikov. Kalashnikov. KALASHNIKOV!", accompanied by head jerks.

I used to randomly say "Avtomat Kalashnikov" when I learned what AK stood for a few years ago from my Russian friend. There were some other sayings I'd repeat over and over again but I very much doubt I could spell them.

About two years ago I went through an "Australopithecus" phase where I repeated that word often.

 

[Soapy Sam]

I liked to repeat phrases with "f"s or "v"s in them, which makes me slightly surprised to find others doing it. I even used "Kaslashnikov" at times. I wonder if there is a common neural mechanism at work here?

This habit faded sometime - you know I really have no idea when it faded.

I think everyone has tics or physical habits of these sorts. Yes, the degree of it varies. I think if you can consciously stop it, then it's a high level thing- an acquired habit. If you can't stop it , the mechanism may be deeper seated- I'm thinking of stuff like OCD or Tourette's. Sound to me like Mark's is more a habit than anything- too much nervous energy. Get tthee to a gymnasium, mate. Or go dig old ladies' gardens. Being physically exhausted fixes most stress related stuff. You also lose weight, get in shape and meet people. Trite, but true.

 

[Elind]

Hey all:

I need a little diagnosis. Since I was a child, when I was excited, angry, or agitated, I would start to violently wring or rub my hands, arms, face, head or any other surface (e.g. a pillow or desk) I could get ahold of. Sometimes I'll start to make noises such as growls or squeals as I'm doing it, and it is accompanied by a general feeling of extreme emotion and tension. It can be very disturbing to watch for someone who doesn't expect it.

For instance, I could be reading a magazine article or watching TV and I come across a quote that I disagree with. I'll suddenly feel very, very angry and start to wring me hands. Normally, I'll catch myself, try to calm down and hope that no one saw me doing it.


This has been freaking me out for years and so far no one has every given me an answer as to what's wrong with me. Is it a symptom of bipolar disorder or autisim? Has anyone seen or heard of anything like it before?

Honestly, my question is why, if you have a problem with this, you seem to suggest that this is the first time and place you ask for advice?

It suggests that either the "problem" is as managable as a nervous tick might be (probably will pass eventually), or that you have a problem in getting help for obvious problems.

Which?

 

[Achán hiNidráne]

Honestly, my question is why, if you have a problem with this, you seem to suggest that this is the first time and place you ask for advice?

Because I don't have medical insurance and this seems to be a forum chalk-full of well educated people?

It suggests that either the "problem" is as managable as a nervous tick might be (probably will pass eventually), or that you have a problem in getting help for obvious problems.

Which?

The latter.

 

[Psi Baba]

I had several odd ticks and habits which may fall under the umbrella of Tourette's or minor OCD, or a little of both. A few of them involve reading. One thing I do almost continously is jigger my up/down arrow keys while reading web pages or documents, especially message boards like this (I'd be doing it now, except that I'm typing). Note: I am not making this up; please don't anyone think I'm making fun of them! While I'm reading, I literally bounce the page up and down on the screen, which seems like it would make it maddening to read like that, but my eye easily stays focused on the correct line, even more so than if I were to let page sit there static. I don't know why I do that. Often while reading books I wrinkle my nose for no reason.

Other strange tics: When I'm planning something I want to do later that day or that week...say I'm on my way home from work or lying in bed and I start thinking about the next stages of some gardening project or something similar, because I'm not in a position where I can act on it immediately, my left arm begins to jerk--folding at the elbow, bringing my hand toward my chest.

Here is one my wife gets a kick out of: If I pass by the microwave oven and time is left on it from having been stopped before the timer ran out to zero (in other words, instead of the clock being displayed, it shows, say, 3 seconds), I have to press the Stop button to clear the remaining time and bring the clock back on. If I notice the microwave in this state from across the room it bothers me until I can clear it. I can't walk past it without clearing the unused time. And because it emits a beep when you do this, my wife hears it and just smiles because she knows what I just did.

 

[Complexity]

Psi Baba - Welcome to the OCD Society.

I won't catalog my oddities at the moment, but my erstwhile partner does the handwringing thing when he gets excited.

 

[Hellbound]

I have some mild things, but more habits than obsessions (I think).

The microwave thing drives me nuts too. In the same vein, my wife has a habit of not fully closing the door, so it looks closed but the light is on. Drives me nuts.

Light switches are my other thing. We have multiple switches for the kitchen/living room lights (each has two or more exits, and switches near each exit). They're in banks of two to four switches. I hate it when, say, the four-bank has two switches up and two down. I have toi get all the switches in the same direction. So, I'll turn off the light at one place, walk across the room, flip it, then back to flip the original switch so they're all even.

 

[Soapy Sam]

Tangled telephone handset cables. You know, the coiled one between the base and the actual bit you hold? (What's that called, anyway?)

I have to straighten them. Phone off hook and dangle to untwist the torque. I'ts like a telephone prion disease. Unfold those proteins!

I'm going all twitchy, just thinking about it. Where's the nearest phone?

 

[Hellbound]

Tangled telephone handset cables. You know, the coiled one between the base and the actual bit you hold? (What's that called, anyway?)

I have to straighten them. Phone off hook and dangle to untwist the torque. I'ts like a telephone prion disease. Unfold those proteins!

I'm going all twitchy, just thinking about it. Where's the nearest phone?

AMEN!

 

[Achán hiNidráne]

Psi Baba - Welcome to the OCD Society.

I won't catalog my oddities at the moment, but my erstwhile partner does the handwringing thing when he gets excited.

Out of curiosity, did it disturb you the first time you saw him do it?

 

[flume]

Mark, it sounds like you think this behavior is a little stranger, more disconcerting, more of a problem than what most people would consider normal behavior. OTOH it sounds like it isn't that far over the line, that you've lived with it reasonably well so far. So it's your judgment that's important. If you talk to a doctor about the problem, you might get a recommendation for drugs or therapy or both. So what you need to think about is how you feel about taking drugs. I don't know if prozac would be a choice, but imagine that that's the advice. Is it worth it to you to take a drug like prozac and pay the money for the drug? Is it worth it to do some talk therapy if that's the suggestion? You're the one who knows what the behavior is actually like, and you're the one who is carrying the weight of this. So you have to decide whether it's worth it to you to try some medications for it, if that's the medical advice.

 

[athon]

Tangled telephone handset cables. You know, the coiled one between the base and the actual bit you hold? (What's that called, anyway?)

I have to straighten them. Phone off hook and dangle to untwist the torque. I'ts like a telephone prion disease. Unfold those proteins!

I'm going all twitchy, just thinking about it. Where's the nearest phone?

I think that must be a McRae thing, ol' buddy. I suffer from that in the worst way. I can't leave tangled cords alone, ever! When I eventually get a place of my own, and hence a phone, it will have to be cordless, just so I won't waste my life untangling it.

My only 'habit' that somebody has noticed has been the fact I sit and play with one of my ears. I fold it over or play with the lobe whenever I'm concentrating on something. Not sure if it has some sort of erotic fix for me...

Hopefully it won't fall off when I've folded it one too many times.

Athon