Rock when agitated?

Does anyone else rock when they are agitated (or anxious)? Even when I don't (or do in very small motion) for fear of making it visible to others, I have a strong compulsion to do so. (Maybe it's ignorance, but I think of rocking as being an autistic spectrum thing, and I really don't have that going on, so it confuses me.) It's like a strong mental discomfort that overwhelms just staying in the mind and needs physical motion. Thoughts? Anyone relate?

I don't rock I pace or am always in motion. If you look up psychomotor agitation that might be what you are looking for. Sounds like it to me. Sorry I'm not more help.

I rock but I am autistic. I do it more when I am anxious. Sometimes I just do it a little bit and other times people do notice. I also do weird things with my hands and have to keep on moving. I am seeing a new psychologist tomorrow and am scared to death. I am scared that she will say I am NOT autistic (I am far less autistic than when I was a child) or think I am doing everything for attention. I've had idiots who thought this. I just smile too much.

it could be a comfort thing, self soothing, did you do it when you were a kid?

I rock when I am in bed and have racing thoughts/anxiety. This way no one will see me. I wring my hands or rub the bottom of my shirt between my finger and thumb other times when I am in public

i rub my hands on my legs

Hmmmmm........this is interesting. I rock and make figure 8's on my thighs and I don't even have to be agitated to do it.

W/ Anika...Psychomotor agitation... thanks for the reminder, I've read about it before and definitely do that. (I pace when on the phone, and amusingly, would do so in a corded phone parameter when first using cell phone, lol.)

W/ Firebird... I would hope no one would think you were doing something you are compelled to do would be for attention... it's not very helpful to say the least! Hope your appt. goes well. I've got one tomorrow too, but there's something else that will take up all the time.

W/ Ryask...It is comforting as an outlet for that which cannot be contained internally. Don't remember if I did it as a kid or not. Did have an obsession with the Sit 'n' Spin toy then though...

W/ BNLsMOM... I'm pretty self-concious of doing it too.

W/ greylove... Can totally relate to other motions. You do 8's, I do 9's. With my fingers. Start pinky. Tap 1,2,3. Back one. Tap 1,2,3. Back one. Tap 1,2, and fold thumb in for 9 ("my number"). Over and over. Don't have to be agitated or anxious to do that either, but it seems to be related to my OCD. It definitely increases in frequency and speed when agitated/anxious though. (Among other hand things... tracing alphabet on w/ thumb, and less often, running through the manual alphabet -- did that as a kid too.

My mom says I've rocked since I could sit up, & still do. Sometimes I don't realize I'm doing it & someone say's something. Just say I've always done it & don't know why. Don't have to be anxious or upset. Guess it's self soothing. Rub my legs sometimes too but that is a nervous thing.
I'll be watching tv sometimes & catch myself in the mirror. Ya just have to laugh at yourself, but I still don't quit. (smile)

My hands start shaking uncontrollably, my knees bounce like crazy, and sometimes I get muscle twitches in other areas. My head will also jerk around if I'm really agitated