Sensory processing, is this be considered stimming?

[Hazel87]

Hello! I'm new to this forum and I will post more tomorrow but I was wondering about a couple of things. 1.) I have sensory processing issues, some more mild and others really bad, and have since childhood although I never had a name for it until recently. In my experience though, I have some sensory problems that are still going strong and have been since I was a child, but others have eased up and although still uncomfortable or unpleasant, they aren't so intense like I almost can't control myself from reacting, literally unbearable like they once were. However, I also seem to have had some worsen and what seems to be new issues come up that never used to bother me. Is that normal or common? I worry about it getting worse because its to the point that it can make it difficult to have a social life at certain times...

2.) Ever since childhood, I can't remember when I started doing it but for as long as I can remember, I have repetitively and basically compulsively, rubbed the ends of my nails along my lips or against other fingers and kind of dig them in. My mom used to think I was biting my nails but I wasn't haha. Ive done this my whole life and never really gave it much thought but I do it everyday and am doing it as I type this. I also press on the ends of my nails often too. Its like a release maybe? I have no idea but I do know it feels really relieving to do. I have done it to the point of my lips hurting before. Would this be considered stimming?

 

[PurityOfChaos]

I can't answer the first part, sorry.

The second part, I do something very similar. I rub my nail along my lips but don't press, I also run my thumb along the tops of my nails in a rapid repetitive motion. I touch my lips a lot, especially when preoccupied. From what I have read this is stimming, until I did some research I thought I didn't stim, but I was just being subtle about it.

 

[Chance]

I am ASD and I have SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder) which overlaps into much of the spectrum to varying degrees from person to person. I have SPD bad its maybe the worst of my issues. My skin often feels hot or on fire. I hate stuff or people touching me. I have just deal with it mostly. I have super overactive hearing and smell. My hearing actually hurts at times depending on the frequencies of the noise.
Things are really bright to me sometimes and I get eye strain pretty bad, but its just part of me being me.

The finger/lip thing not sure... If its repetitive and done second nature its maybe some form of stimming/release thing...
I cant hardly sit still without bouncing my legs, messing with my fingers, tapping... moving something...

For me its mostly unnoticeable these days, unless I get upset. I see people doing it all the time. I used to be wildly out of control of my own body movements. When I was little it was bad. I was the dork of dorks. I was a hand flapper. I would pull my ears constantly. I walked in circles... I even knew I was messed up because no one around me was doing what I was doing...

That ONE THING is what made me want to change I guess. So over years of just concentrating on every move I make... Literally looking at my hands to notice what they are doing, watching my posture, watching my walk, watching that I am not dragging my feet or walking stilted... All this had to become manual where it is automatic for others... Today most is very well within what most people would call "normal" these days... Maybe with the exception of my social interactions. I don't like to talk, so that causes some issues right out of the gate... Its just another mass of energy I have to expend, then I have to look at people and I don't do that well either... ASD sucks, but it gives us a chance to feel more and possibly experience more than "normal" people.

However, It all comes at a cost though... I have to notice and be on guard at my every move... My old ways are there. I was born like that, so they are still there, and when I get deeply upset is when I have to be very on guard. I thank GOD that I just shut down and don't start doing things out of control...

So with all this extra mental and physical domination over our being to try and fit into any realm of normal... It starts explaining why so many of us ASD people run out of energy... Why we need to just go off and be alone, or take a mid day nap, or just go sit off somewhere and be left alone. We use our energy up just keeping control of how we have learned to look and act "normal". Whatever the hell that really is? : )

 

[OkRad]

Hello! I'm new to this forum and I will post more tomorrow but I was wondering about a couple of things. 1.) I have sensory processing issues, some more mild and others really bad, and have since childhood although I never had a name for it until recently. In my experience though, I have some sensory problems that are still going strong and have been since I was a child, but others have eased up and although still uncomfortable or unpleasant, they aren't so intense like I almost can't control myself from reacting, literally unbearable like they once were. However, I also seem to have had some worsen and what seems to be new issues come up that never used to bother me. Is that normal or common? I worry about it getting worse because its to the point that it can make it difficult to have a social life at certain times...

2.) Ever since childhood, I can't remember when I started doing it but for as long as I can remember, I have repetitively and basically compulsively, rubbed the ends of my nails along my lips or against other fingers and kind of dig them in. My mom used to think I was biting my nails but I wasn't haha. Ive done this my whole life and never really gave it much thought but I do it everyday and am doing it as I type this. I also press on the ends of my nails often too. Its like a release maybe? I have no idea but I do know it feels really relieving to do. I have done it to the point of my lips hurting before. Would this be considered stimming?

Hi there. I have excruciating SPD. All sense are effected and it does get worse at times. If you are exposed to certain meds or stuff, that can make it worse. If you get a head injury or something like that, it can get worse. Mine has never gotten better. It seems to be a part of my faulty neurology . But I have a genetic duplication, so that may be to blame. Many c-6 ers do.

 

[WittyAspie]

Welcome Hazel! Be sure and do an introduction post so we can get to know you. Everyone is friendly here. We don't bite. Well, those that do have been muzzled.

It is entirely possible that your sensory issues could evolve over time. Have you had any changes in your environment lately or increased stress? Your body is probably reacting to something. What is it?

Almost everyone on this site has trouble with their social life. Hence why a lot of us wound up here. Don't be afraid to make us your social circle.

 

[onlything]

Hi there Hazel.

1) I'd say that sensory issues can change through years and from what I read it's not uncommon for ASD people. Just like in your situation, my sensory processing changed many times, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. I don't think it's something you can do anything with. I would advise you not to exhaust yourself through social life or you'll get 'burnt'. Burn out is a time of unbearable processing difficulties and I wouldn't wish it on you. I personally think that it's connected to the adrenal gland and, possible, adrenal fatigue syndrome due to prolonged, sometimes even years-long, time of high stress and mental exhaustion exposure. What's important is not to push yourself too much, drink a lot of water and eat healthily. If you feel something is wrong, leave if possible. Don't push yourself - it's simply not worth the multiplied problems in processing sensory department. Just be careful.

2) Does it give you relief? Makes you calmer? Makes things easier to cope with? If yes, then I'd classify it as a stim.

Cheers.

 

[ZebraAutismo]

They do sound like them could be stuns.