Thumb-sucking

I still suck my thumb. Never really stopped. Only recently occurred to me that this may have something to do with childhood trauma (emotional abuse, neglect, not PA but my T says I need to widen my definition of violence).

I wondered if it was just me. I want to tell my T about it sometime, but feel really ashamed.

I never sucked my thumb as a kid.. but over the last few months Ive noticed when Im really stressed (especially when driving) I start sucking my thumb. I find it calming. But fyi this isnt as abnormal as you think. It is a means of self soothing and although it might seem embarassing if you compare it to other coping mechanisms (such as cutting or drinking or smoking ect) it really isnt that bad...

You make a good point there!

I sucked my thumb until I was 12 yrs old. I hid it from everyone. Unfortunately it did effect my teeth. I have a bit of an overbite. My parents couldn't afford to fix it, and I didn't have dental care before -- I do now, but it's a bit late. LOL

Just be careful about your teeth. It CAN damage them big time.

i suck/chew my finger when i am tired or stressed or feeling uncomfortable or in pain, it is a security thing but also takes my mind away from the pain or whatever i am feeling. problem is though i am in pain and tired most of the time, and although i try not to do it in public, sometimes the urge is just too strong especially when in meetings where i have to concentrate, so my fingers get very sore. i have to admit that to prevent them becoming too sore i have reverted to chewing a pacifier when i am home alone purely for the practicle reason of giving my fingers a break!
sucking your thumb is obviously something you do because you get some form of comfort from it, so i see no problem with that, everyone needs comfort and security in some form.

Its weird.... id never sucked my thumb before... but im 17 and ive been driving for a while and in stressful situations while driving ive started sucking my thumb a lot. its weird and I havnt told my therapist yet... im kind of embarassed.

I still suck my thumb and I'm 38. When I'm very distressed or tired it really does calm me down.

I sucked my thumb until I was about 12. I had a bad overbite and needed braces so they put an appliance in my mouth that wouldn't let me do it anymore. It sucked, if you pardon the pun. I was miserable for about a year.

When I'm tired or upset, I still put my hands on my face the same way I did back then.

I'm 23 and I suck my thumb. Have no plans to stop. It helps clams me down, I feel like I need and that okay to me.