Constantly moving and fidgeting?

[Ashley0323]

Yes, I am constantly moving. Whether it be my arms, fingers, legs, feet, shaking my body in general.. I can NOT stay still, ever. Is this just me or does anyone else notice this too?

 

[Aree Wongwanlee]

No, I don't do that. However, I have seen other people doing that. Some of them do it so violently that they may shake the table they are sitting at. However, from what I have noticed, no harm is done. The person doing it is doing it out of habit and seems to be total oblivious to what he is doing. One thing, though, it might be a good idea to try to control this constant moving and fidgeting. If you attend an interview and you keep on doing that, the interviewer might interpret it as a sign of nervousness.

 

[misszerable]

When I was younger, I did move and fidget a lot. I would always shake my leg. I noticed that a lot of people do that, too. I have outgrown that, though and I am often annoyed when someone else does that and shakes a bench or a table. But in your case, have you been diagnosed for ADHD, nerve disorder, or perhaps extreme panic attack? I have a nephew, 5 years old, who was always moving about. He was a confirmed ADHD case. I suggest you go for a check up to know for sure what has been bothering you.

 

[pwarbi]

I always found that if a person is moving more than they should, it's just their way of releasing some of that nervous energy that they have built up, and so it's not that much to worry about significantly. On the opposite end of the scale, I've known people that are able to sit still for hours on end and not even move and I would have thought that is maybe a little more worrying as it seems unnatural to me. Fidgeting and moving about is usually something that we grow out of and you'll often find that children are constantly moving because of the amount of energy they have, and also as a way of seeking attention, so if your still doing that into your adult life I don't think that there's all that much to worry about unless it's affecting your everyday life.

 

[CT422]

I sometimes, in my most anxious moments, feel like I'm not doing enough with my hands, so I find myself cracking my knuckles, rubbing my neck, and just generally moving my hands a lot. I also shake my leg, to the point where if a close friend or relative notices, they'll grab my leg to stop me. One thing that helps me with this is doing something that requires concentration if I'm concentrating on a task at hand, I'm less likely to be in my own head and less likely to fidget.

 

[fuzyon]

I don't know if it's related to anxiety but I'm like this too. I can't stand still for example when I'm waiting for the bus to arrive, I'm always moving back and forth for no apparent reason. When I'm watching something on TV I have to do something with my hands otherwise I'll be moving around constantly. I don't think it's related to anxiety because waiting for the bus is not the scariest thing, I think it's just something in my brain.

 

[Panic57]

Oh yes, even if I try, I'm always fidgeting. I usually twitch my foot and leg when I'm thinking about something deeply. The faster it moves the deeper I am in my head. It gets so bad that I'll vibrate the table. I'll be unaware of it until my mom decides to put her leg on mine to stop it. It usually jolts me out of my mind. Even when I'm not full on bouncing my leg, I'm always adjusting in my seat because I never seem to be comfortable. Plus, if I stay still to long, one of my legs or arms ends up falling to sleep.

 

[CT422]

I don't know if it's related to anxiety but I'm like this too. I can't stand still for example when I'm waiting for the bus to arrive' date=' I'm always moving back and forth for no apparent reason. When I'm watching something on TV I have to do something with my hands otherwise I'll be moving around constantly. I don't think it's related to anxiety because waiting for the bus is not the scariest thing, I think it's just something in my brain.[/quote']
It's not always anxiety for me either, I just am a naturally fidgety person I guess. I have the same issue when i'm waiting for buses or watching TV, I fell like I have to be multitasking, even when it makes no sense at all.

 

[kgord]

Sometimes I will do these types of behaviors but I can control it, and I always know I am doing it. It isn't like I am oblivous to it when it is happening. I am one who likes to be fairly active, and if I am in a sitauion where there is not much activity being provided ie in class, watching TV or something, I am always doing something with my hands, feet or something so I am not sitting perfectly still. I am not sure if it is anxiety related or not actually.

 

[HappyKoi]

I used to do that when I had my eating disorder, on the notion that it would help me burn calories (it didn't). I fidget a lot when I'm nervous, or on the opposite end, when something good happens and I'm really excited. Sometimes I do it when I'm sitting- I just noticed that I was wiggling my toes while I was writing this. My ex used to "bounce" his leg all the time, and it would always shake the table or the couch or whatever was nearby. I couldn't concentrate when he was doing that and it drove me absolutely nuts.

 

[explorerX7]

I have seen this behavior many times but mostly in children with folks referring to these children as being hyper. I assure that your condition affects many persons I know that this condition can be disconcerting to you but I doubt that it's something that you could easily rid yourself of, therefore, I think you should just try to manage and cope with the situation the best you can.

 

[Ashley0323]

Yes I do this as well. I cannot ever stay still for awhile, I am always moving around. Even while I am in bed, before falling asleep, I am moving my legs around, or my arms, toes. etc. It annoys me, so im sure my fiance feels the same. 

 

[sidney]

 

[Aree Wongwanlee]

I think this fidgeting habit can be changed. There's something being promoted on the Web called a Fidget Box. It's a small thing with buttons and switches on all sides for you to click and press. Not sure how well it works because I haven't seen a real one in action yet. Alternatively, you may consider using what is called a rosary bead. Some people use it when they pray. You can use it to channel some of your nervous energy to counting the beads instead of moving around.

 

[Natasha0717]

That's nervous energy.


When I was in college, there was this one super-skinny girl who was always moving her leg up and down (while she had her legs crossed during a lecture,) or she'd be tapping her pen against her notebook, or re-crossing her legs/switching them back and forth the entire time we were in class.  I was convinced the reason she was so skinny, was because she was constantly moving.  At that time, I wasn't very thin or nervous myself, and I really wanted to be thin...I remember that clearly.  So I would try to copy this girl, and try to remember to move around all the time like she was.  But eventually, I would just forget to do it...because it just wasn't in my nature at the time to be so fidgety and active.


But now, I am thin....AND nervous....and guess what, I move around just as much as that girl did in college, without even trying.  I don't need to remind myself to do it, because I just do it.  Now I am full of nervous energy, just like that skinny girl in college was. I always think of her when I catch myself pacing around the house, tapping my pen, or constantly moving my legs around or switching positions, even when I'm just trying to sit still and watch TV.  I can't even talk on the phone while sitting.  I absolutely MUST pace around while talking on the phone, can't sit down and talk for even 5 seconds.  Impossible. 

 

[jy76]

Sometimes this condition can be scary.  For instance, the symptoms you describe are similar to those experienced by those with Parkinson's Disease.  On the other hand, less scary sources of shaking hands include essential termors, low blood sugar, and thyroid disorders.

 

[emily]

If I'm feeling moderately anxious, I shake my foot or fix my hair or clothes. However, if it gets really bad, I either pull back on the cuticle of my left thumb to the point where it bleeds or I push/pick on the acne on my forehead. This doesn't let it ever heal, so my forehead is constantly red and my left thumb always has a bandaid on it.