[ziggystarlord144]

I've recently developed a sort of obsession with flexing my wrists backwards and hitting the bases of my palms together so my hands sort of vibrate. It hurts but I do it without thinking. I seem to do it more when I feel awkward or have a bad memory. I'm not sure if it's a problem really - I'm a little worried about accidentally bruising myself, but that hasn't happened so far - I'm more just wondering why I've started doing it.

[Thunder Bow]

Anxiety. That may cause that.

[*Beth*]

I agree with TBow. Hand banging is a way to cope with excessive anxiety. I think it's important to develop a positive way to outlet the anxiety, otherwise the hand banging will become a habit that's really difficult to break.

Anxious reflex maybe, Or comfort behavior?

[*Beth*]

Comfort behavior - yes, that's the perfect term.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by ziggystarlord144

I've recently developed a sort of obsession with flexing my wrists backwards and hitting the bases of my palms together so my hands sort of vibrate. It hurts but I do it without thinking. I seem to do it more when I feel awkward or have a bad memory. I'm not sure if it's a problem really - I'm a little worried about accidentally bruising myself, but that hasn't happened so far - I'm more just wondering why I've started doing it.

if you reread your post you will see you answered your own question....

question from your post...
"Im more wondering why I have started doing it"

Answer from your post ...
"I seem to do it more when I feel awkward or have a bad memory."

my conclusion based on your post.. you started doing it because you feel awkward or have a bad memory and now its just a habit that you continue to do when you feel awkward.

habits are things we do so many times that they turn into being done with out realizing it...

examples

thumb sucking when bored or tired will result in a person forming a habit of thumb sucking when bored or tired.

Twirling hair a few times when feeling certain things will become a habit of twirling hair during those times when feeling those same things.

the good news is habits can be broken.

I used to pick at my finger nails when I was feeling uncomfortable. I broke that habit first by recognizing I was doing it and then refocusing my attention. instead of picking my finger nails when feeling uncomfortable I would write on a piece of paper ..."I am picking my fingernails because I am feeling uncomfortable, why am I feeling uncomfortable? ok now what can I do about this..

I got myself some nail polish that I loved and painted my nails. and addressed the reason I was feeling uncomfortable.

A week of noticing when I was doing it and refocusing my attention from doing the habit I wanted to break worked I no longer pick at my finger nails when feeling uncomfortable.

maybe you can break your habit. you already recognize you do it and why so now its just a matter of refocusing your attention to stopping yourself from doing it. do something positive instead like noticing when you are feeling awkward and having bad memories. maybe do some journal writing, or put on some favorite music, or other self nurturing tools that you may have learned in therapy or from your doctors.