Is it okay?

[EricJones]

If I move my body and react to other people's movements is that okay? If I flinch a little bit is that okay? If I move my head in a quick and jolty motion around others, is that okay?

[Alpakka123]

Yes to all these questions. These are tics that you have, right? You can't control them, so yes, it's perfectly okay. Even if you could control them, it would still be okay. You are okay just the way you are.

[EricJones in reply to Alpakka123]

People won't look into them and try to unpack why I move the way I do?

[Alpakka123 in reply to EricJones]

They might do that, but only because humans are naturally curious. Don't you sometimes look at others and wonder what they're all about, where they're going, etc? I do. In fact, looking around and wondering about others (where they're going, etc.) is one of the things my doctor suggested I do as a way to get out of my own head. But why would you care what others might or might not be doing?

[EricJones in reply to Alpakka123]

I wouldn't look into someone else's body language even if they looked like they were copying me.

[Alpakka123 in reply to EricJones]

So, are you worried about people copying you? If so, please don't worry about that because they aren't doing that.

[EricJones in reply to Alpakka123]

I'm worried about copying other people and them noticing me doing it.

[Alpakka123 in reply to EricJones]

Ah, I see now. Thanks for explaining. People won't know that you're copying them. I mean, not unless you go up to them and say "hey there! I'm copying you"

[EricJones in reply to Alpakka123]

Why do you think that is? Why do you think they can't tell? Is it simply too hard to spot?

[Alpakka123 in reply to EricJones]

I have no idea. Unless your either psychic or go up and ask someone "what are you thinking?", there is no way to know what each other is thinking.

[EricJones in reply to Alpakka123]

but couldn't they tell from my movements that I'm paying attention to them, or no?

[Alpakka123 in reply to EricJones]

no, there is absolutely no connection between your movements and paying attention to them.

[EricJones in reply to Alpakka123]

What do you mean? Don't quite understand what you mean by that.

[Alpakka123 in reply to EricJones]

Your movements are not related to them knowing that you're paying attention to them. One does not cause the other. Your movements are entirely separate from your thoughts/their thoughts.

[EricJones in reply to Alpakka123]

Do you mean to them? They won't associate my movements as correlated to what I'm thinking. They'll just see movements, and nothing more? My movements will never be attached to their own even if it seems like I'm matching their movements?

[Alpakka123 in reply to EricJones]

Right!

[EricJones in reply to Alpakka123]

Do you mean that you can't tell by someone's body movements that they're paying attention to you? You need other indications?

[Alpakka123 in reply to EricJones]

Right. I'm going to point out at this time that we are going in circles.

[EricJones in reply to Alpakka123]

No need to point that out. Just respectfully end the conversation.

[EricJones in reply to Alpakka123]

Do you mean that you can't tell by someone's body movements that they're paying attention to you? You need other indications.

[catsrock]

Yes, it is all ok.

[EricJones in reply to catsrock]

How do you know it's okay?

[catsrock in reply to EricJones]

Because it's just part of who you are. If you're worried about what people will think, are you comfortable explaining to them about why you do the movements?

[EricJones in reply to catsrock]

I doubt it lol. Then they would know about it. Most of then already know about it. But the one person I move my movements to the most doesn't know about it and I'm too uncomfortable to tell him about it.

[catsrock in reply to EricJones]

That's fair - it's your decision whether to tell people or not.

[EricJones in reply to catsrock]

So, you don't think anyone will call me out on it, do you?

[catsrock in reply to EricJones]

I don't know, but I don't see why they would. Are you ok if they ask you about the movements?

[EricJones in reply to catsrock]

Not, really. I believe me and my movements are a private thing that I do. I wouldn't want someone pointing it out to me.

[Gramas]

Have you ever explored these movements or your feelings about these movements with a doctor? I think its something you have no control of physically or psychologically and am wondering if medication could help. From reading your posts I feel that this is overwhelming you and not letting you lead a more normal, peaceful life which you so deserve.

[EricJones in reply to Gramas]

I don't like using the word "normal", but I get what you mean. My doctor isn't the best one. She listens to herself a little too much in my opinion and doesn't listen to my concerns so, I go to my therapist, and he helps me some. Talking about it with people helps me (no matter who it is). Exposure therapy is the biggest thing that will be beneficial. I believe.

[Gramas in reply to EricJones]

Right, I agree I don't like the word normal either but you get my intent. How long have you had these distractions in your life and do the doctors/therapists know what may be causing them? I also agree exposure therapy will hopefully be beneficial.

[EricJones in reply to Gramas]

I really don't think medication can change my focus off of the movements. I obsess over whether someone can see me moving and whether they care that my movements follow theirs. I think my therapist can help more with that because they doctors haven't found anything so far that helps.

[Gramas]

Now when you're talking about movements are you referring to regular body movements that everyone does (moving an arm or leg to a different position or maybe turning your head to look at something)? Or are you talking about involuntary movements like tics? If you react to someones body movements is that consciously or unconconsiously?

[EricJones in reply to Gramas]

Good questions. When I react to others body movements, they were involuntary, but I wouldn't say they're ticks. I'd say they are split-second reactions, and I don't have enough time to respond and gather myself, so I flinch with my head a bit.

[Gramas]

Right if they were tics they would happen at any time not in reaction to someone elses body movements. Theres something thats going on in the brain thats causing this to happen. Do you have a psychiatrist or have you visited a neurologist?

[EricJones in reply to Gramas]

No. I don't think I need all that. I think it has to do with me being afraid with what others are doing. So, I watch out for their movements and when they move it triggers me, to involuntarily move my body.

[Gramas]

Right, something in your brain is triggering you to watch other people and their movements and then respond. Most people do not do this. Secondly when they do move you have an involuntary response to stimuli. There are conditions that cause this. Even anxiety. If this is affecting your life to such an extreme degree I would certainly have at least a consult with the physicians I mentioned. You don't need to live like this as I can imagine how hard it is.

[EricJones in reply to Gramas]

I don't think there's much a doctor can do. I have to no longer be scanning my surroundings. Until then I'll pay attention to the little things people do and that will cause a reaction.

[Gramas]

Right. Do you think you can just make yourself stop paying attention to other people and what they do and how they react to you? That sounds much too hard to do without professional help. If you don't want to go to doctors then is your therapist helping you get through this with actual exposure therapy or some other similiar treatment? Something in your brain is making you think this way/act this way and thats what needs to be explored. Its a terrible way to live.

[EricJones in reply to Gramas]

No one said I was opposed to go to my doctors. I only have encounters with my doctor over the phone, every two months. I don't have a PCP. It's not as bad as you seem to think it is. I'm not lost or in deep trouble or something like that. It is troublesome but it seems it can be managed through being around people more and seeing that they don't care about my movements. I may always do it, but if I learn that others don't seem to feel disrupted by it, it might help me stay around people, and that's the most important part.