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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on May 8, 2003, at 11:05:52
NO, I'm not talking about the genital type, but rather the more mundane things that one does to stimulate oneself. I've noticed that I do a lot more of this on my medication (40mg Celexa) than before. Leg rocking, stroking my head, and running my index fingernails in circles over the pads of my thumbs, over and over for hours. There's also the assorted rocking and tight postures to round it all out. It's not a big deal beyond that fact that I'm doing this almost all the time. Not much about this on the Internet. Mostly about kids with autism or tourette's or whatnot. Anyone else identify? Is this a known SE?
Posted by Ritch on May 8, 2003, at 12:02:52
In reply to Self stimulatory behaviors, posted by Eddie Sylvano on May 8, 2003, at 11:05:52
> NO, I'm not talking about the genital type, but rather the more mundane things that one does to stimulate oneself. I've noticed that I do a lot more of this on my medication (40mg Celexa) than before. Leg rocking, stroking my head, and running my index fingernails in circles over the pads of my thumbs, over and over for hours. There's also the assorted rocking and tight postures to round it all out. It's not a big deal beyond that fact that I'm doing this almost all the time. Not much about this on the Internet. Mostly about kids with autism or tourette's or whatnot. Anyone else identify? Is this a known SE?
Could be mild SSRI-induced akathisia (restlessness). I've gotten restless legs, pacing, posturing/dystonic tic-like things from SSRI's. Some were worse than others. EPS/dystonia/akathisia are listed SE's for some SSRI meds. They do reduce dopamine in areas of the brain. Maybe you could talk to your doctor about cutting the Celexa in half and adding a non-serotonergic AD to augment?
Posted by Dinah on May 8, 2003, at 12:16:49
In reply to Self stimulatory behaviors, posted by Eddie Sylvano on May 8, 2003, at 11:05:52
Have you looked into the possibility of mild Asperger's? I've looked into the possibility for myself, and while I don't think I have it, I do think I've got some characteristics, including that one. From way way back. I'm also a toe walker. Social rhythm is difficult for me, as is actual rhythm. I can't recall now all the various indicators, but it was enough like me to intrigue my mental health providers. You might want to check it out.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on May 8, 2003, at 15:17:25
In reply to Re: Self stimulatory behaviors » Eddie Sylvano, posted by Dinah on May 8, 2003, at 12:16:49
> Have you looked into the possibility of mild Asperger's? You might want to check it out.
---------------I actually had a girlfriend once that I was convinced has Asperger's. She was terribly clumsy, aloof, unable to empathize, irritated by varied stimuli, self-stimulating, narrowly very intelligent, good at puzzles, emotionally flat, etc. After that caused me to read up on the syndrome, I could see obvious parallels within myself. What was even more interesting is to read the writings of someone with Asperger's.
I think if I am affected by something like that, though, it's probably to a pretty small degree. I'm more ADD mixed with Avoidant personality type (and a dash o' asperger's).
Perhaps the one obvious Asperger characteristic I demonstrate in this area is the tendancy to write in overly long, pedantic sentences as if lecturing. Here's a good link of descriptions, for anyone else reading this...
http://www.aspergerinfo.org/ASCharacteristics.htmAnother obvious one as I work...
--Avoids socializing, "hanging out," or small talk on and off the job--Man, do I ever.
Posted by Dinah on May 8, 2003, at 16:45:47
In reply to Re: Self stimulatory behaviors » Dinah, posted by Eddie Sylvano on May 8, 2003, at 15:17:25
So much of it applies to me. But not all of it by any means. And while I don't think of myself as having Asperger's, I do use a lot of the management principles in my life.
But that list made it sound so negative. There are lots of positive aspects to Aspergers too.
I know we have compared notes in the past about perception and sensory stuff. I wonder if it's possible that there is some neurological basis to all of it. Something that may not quite be Aspergers but is related in some way.
Posted by noa on May 8, 2003, at 19:29:26
In reply to Self stimulatory behaviors, posted by Eddie Sylvano on May 8, 2003, at 11:05:52
I find that also, and I am certain it is from my meds(probably the Effexor).
Posted by leeran on May 9, 2003, at 14:56:36
In reply to Re: Self stimulatory behaviors » Eddie Sylvano, posted by Dinah on May 8, 2003, at 12:16:49
Oh my gosh. Does "toe walker" mean that you literally tiptoe around? If so, I used to do this as a child. I don't think I do it anymore, unless I'm walking through the garage without my shoes on.
Dinah, if this is the case, I learn SO much from you!
Posted by Dinah on May 9, 2003, at 21:31:21
In reply to Re: Self stimulatory behaviors » Dinah, posted by leeran on May 9, 2003, at 14:56:36
Oh yes, I walked almost solely on my tippy toes till my mid thirties when pregnancy (followed by weight gain) and gravity forced my heels down. :)
Even now, my heels touch the floor in a mainly perfunctory way. All the propulsion comes from my arch, most of the weight is borne by the upper part of my foot. Accordingly, my gait is quite inefficient. I go more up than forward. And my calves are nearly as large as my thighs. Sigh. I've had people swear they can train me out of that, but all have given up in despair.
It was really kind of funny when I was younger. When I outgrew my shoes, the heels were like new. They didn't even look dirty. But the toes were worn, and what's more, I had a habit of rolling my feet out while I was standing so that I rested my weight on the sides of my foot. So the outside sides of my shoes (at the toe area) were far more worn than the heels. I was also a jumper. I would bounce up and down wherever I stood. Even in school I would stand quietly beside my desk and bounce up and down every so often.
Really when you think about it, my status as teased kid wasn't all that hard to understand. (blush)
I've read that toe walking is a sign of neurological immaturity. And honestly, neurological immaturity explains a whole lot of what goes on with me. But at forty someodd, when am I going to mature already?
Posted by leeran on May 9, 2003, at 22:15:20
In reply to Re: Self stimulatory behaviors, posted by Dinah on May 9, 2003, at 21:31:21
Hi Dinah,
I don't think I did the toe walking thing at school but I think I did it quite a bit at home. Trying to be quiet? Hating the feel of old linoleum underfoot? Who knows.
I do know this - last year my former chiropractor (former because he would have me coming every single day had I continued) felt that my "gait reflexes" were off. He is a kinesiologist/chiropractor and this all went along with the kinesiology portion of his practice. He would exert this pressure (with his hand, thumb on the top, the other fingers underneath) on my bare feet (more or less the area where the small bones of the foot meet the toes) and it hurt like &%$#. Sometimes I would have bruises after he was finished.
He felt that I had "neurological disorganization" or "disorganized brain function" due to a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure that resulted in a scar from my right ear to my left ear (or vice versa - lol) across the top of my head. He didn't know that I was a tip-toer around the house as a child. Additionally, there was always one position I couldn't do in yoga - and after reading up on "tip toe walking" I'm wondering if those leg muscles (too tight) might have impacted my ability to get into that position (that and fortyodd years on this end, too!).
Hmmmmm, interesting.
I hadn't thought about my tip toeing around in years until you mentioned it in your post.
Lee
p.s. Your posts are ALWAYS full of such wisdom, tippy toes or not! It's hard to think that the words "neurological immaturity" could ever be used in the same breath with your name!
This is the end of the thread.
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