Anyone else get "shake attacks"?
Sometimes when I'm feeling upset or overwhelmed, I just feel this need to shake all my limbs. My arms usually, but when it gets really bad, it's my legs too. It's not like shivering or a tremor, it's like I have to shake and flail around.
When it's just my hands, it looks like jazz hands I guess. And I shake my arms like I'm trying to get a spiderweb off. The one time I can remember that my legs shook, I was laying down in bed and I would kick my legs really fast, like trying to shake something off.
The urge to shake usually subsides after a minute or so, and depending on how I'm feeling usually I just lay there and cry afterwards. It's distressing because it always happens when I'm feeling my absolute worst and I can't control it, and I don't have a name for it.
I don't think it's just stimming. Is this part of a panic attack? Does anyone else get this?
@bandaidbear
Greetings. I read what you wrote and it seems that it may be due to the stress you are experiencing. Sometimes when I am stressed, I feel the urge to move my torso if I am sitting, like left to right or back and forth. It can be a self-soothing response. For some people, some amount of movement can also help to release stress.
I can only imagine that it must be distressful on its own. Have you heard of the term psychomotor agitation? I am not sure if the urge to movement is a type of panic attack. But also we all can have different types of reactions to stress. What are some of the things that help you calm down? Sometimes people find indulging in cardio or other types of exercises can help. What do you think about it?
@bandaidbear
I get this in moderate anxiety attacks. Full on anxiety I freeze like a deer in the headlights.
