Thumb-sucking

tinyrabbit · Mar 07, 2013 at 07:49 PM

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.

Silent_Tears_17 · Mar 07, 2013 at 11:14 PM

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...

tinyrabbit · Mar 08, 2013 at 10:07 AM

You make a good point there!

Leed · Mar 09, 2013 at 07:24 PM

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.

yellowted · Mar 09, 2013 at 08:07 PM

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.

Silent_Tears_17 · Mar 09, 2013 at 10:30 PM

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.

Nelliecat · Mar 10, 2013 at 06:12 PM

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

skeksi · Mar 10, 2013 at 06:41 PM

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.

Lilithlee · Mar 10, 2013 at 07:33 PM

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.

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Thumb-sucking

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tinyrabbit Grand Wise Rabbit Member Since Feb 2013 Location: England Posts: 4,084 11 3,059 hugs given	Mar 07, 2013 at 07:49 PM #1 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.
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tinyrabbit Grand Wise Rabbit Member Since Feb 2013 Location: England Posts: 4,084 11 3,059 hugs given	Mar 08, 2013 at 10:07 AM #3 You make a good point there!
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Silent_Tears_17 Member Chat Leader Member Since Dec 2012 Location: Earth Posts: 247 11 321 hugs given	Mar 09, 2013 at 10:30 PM #6 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. __________________ Silent
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Nelliecat Grand Member Member Since May 2011 Location: UK Posts: 960 13 1,019 hugs given	Mar 10, 2013 at 06:12 PM #7 I still suck my thumb and I'm 38. When I'm very distressed or tired it really does calm me down. __________________ "Remember to look up at the stars, not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious." Stephen Hawking
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skeksi Magnate Member Since Apr 2008 Location: N/A Posts: 2,489 16 1,145 hugs given	Mar 10, 2013 at 06:41 PM #8 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.
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Lilithlee Member Member Since Feb 2013 Posts: 42 11 3 hugs given	Mar 10, 2013 at 07:33 PM #9 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. __________________ Base on the drugs currently given to me, I other have bipolar disorder or major depression, and some type of anixity disorder.
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