Introduction to Ticks/Stims and OCD While Having Autism: My Personal Experience
Living with autism can be a journey full of unique challenges and experiences.
One challenge that many people with autism face is dealing with ticks, stims and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).
These behaviors can sometimes feel overwhelming and even get in the way of my day-to-day life.
I’m not a professional in this field, but I do have autism and I stim and I have OCD.
I am here to share my personal experiences in the hope that it might help others who are going through something similar.
Also, if you are in school then these things can result in bullying and the breaking down of your confidence. Have a read on my post about the effects of bullying on Autism here..
Ticks and OCD in Autism: A Common Struggle
For many people with autism, dealing with both ticks, stims and OCD is very common.
It’s a form of self-soothing and a way of handling overwhelming feelings or stress.
Autistic individuals like myself, often struggle with understanding and expressing everything happening around them.
This can lead to feeling out of control, and ticks or OCD behaviors are often ways to regain a sense of balance.
For example, when I’m anxious or facing changes in my life, my ticks become more noticeable, and my OCD habits ramp up.
It’s my brain’s way of trying to make sense of things, to feel like I have control in a world that sometimes feels chaotic.
While these behaviors can be soothing at times, they can also get in the way of daily functioning, especially when they become so overwhelming that they affect things like school, work, or social relationships.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced with ticks, stims and OCD is when they become so intense that it’s hard to focus or perform everyday tasks.
This can be frustrating and for my autistic child who is similar to me in this, it can even lead to bullying, especially for autistic children in school environments.
Being singled out for these behaviors can break down a persons confidence and self-esteem. It definitely did for me!
Disclaimer
This post is for those who feel that their ticks, stims and OCD are stopping them from living their best life.
This isn’t about changing for other people but rather for yourself.
Some people with autism might not mind their ticks, stims or OCD, and that is completely fine!
Others, however, may want to reduce these behaviors to improve their quality of life. This was how it was for me!
But the choice is always up to you.
Understanding ticks, stims and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) in Autistic individuals
Ticks, Stims and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves repetitive behaviors or rituals that a person feels compelled to perform.
For me, my ticks, stims and OCD started at a very young age, and it became particularly difficult when I began school.
The stress and anxiety of being in a new environment made my OCD and ticks even worse. I could not function properly at some point.
I remember how every time my hand touched a surface, I felt the need to touch the same spot with my other hand.
I could spend up to half an hour, stuck in one place, crying because I couldn’t get it “right.”
It felt like my body was out of control.
I would turn light switches on and off repeatedly, open and close doors, and insist that my food not touch on the plate.
These behaviors were all-consuming, and they made it hard to focus on anything else.
In those moments, I felt unbelievably embarrassed, frustrated, and out of control. My OCD behaviors made it difficult to fit in and make friends.
It was then that I decided I wanted to do something about it.
I realized that if I wanted to get through school and life, I had to find a way to stop my ticks, stims and OCD and control these behaviors.
Disclaimer
It’s important to note that OCD can sometimes be paired with intrusive thoughts, something I have also experienced.
These thoughts can be distressing and difficult to manage.
\x If you’re struggling with intrusive thoughts, you might find my post on overcoming them helpful How to OVERCOME Intrusive Thoughts
How to Manage OCD: Finding the Strength to Stop
The first and most important thing I learned in managing my ticks, stims and OCD was to force myself to stop. It sounds simple, but it was incredibly hard.
At the age of 6, I decided to start this process of retraining my brain.
I knew I hated what I was doing, and I wanted desperately to stop it. So, I forced myself to do the opposite of what my ticks, stims and OCD wanted me to do.
I stopped by forcing myself to stop.
Whatever it is that controls your OCD, as in the action that you have to do.
The action that you must do in order to feel that relief to go about the rest of your day – try to Purposely do it ‘wrong’.
For example,
- If I felt the need to open and close a door three times, I would purposely do it only once and then walk away.
- If I had the urge to wash my hands six times, I would only wash them twice and then leave the room.
It felt almost impossible at first, and the urge to go back and complete the ritual was overwhelming, but over time, my brain started to adjust.
It is one of the hardest things you will ever have to do in your in terms of personal training.
By doing the action “wrong” and walking away, I slowly began to retrain my brain to believe that I didn’t need to do these things.
Eventually, the ticks, stims and OCD behaviors became less intense and less frequent. It took time and patience, but it worked.
Now, I’m able to go about my day without feeling trapped by these rituals.
This method can work even if your OCD is accompanied by intrusive thoughts. It’s about not feeding into the need to perform the compulsion, no matter how strong the urge is.
Eventually the OCD ‘need’ will go away.
Also once your brain understands that nothing will come out of the intrusive thoughts then they will also reduce.
Just don’t feed into them.
Understanding and Managing Ticks
Ticks are another challenge that often comes with autism.
They can be small, repetitive movements or actions that help soothe anxiety or stress.
For me, I used to touch my upper lip to my nose very quickly and continuously whenever I was anxious.
It was an unconscious behavior, something I did without thinking. However, it became a problem when it started drawing unwanted attention.
My sister, worried about how my ticks might lead to bullying, tried to stop me in the worst way possible—by punching me whenever she saw me tick.
Not only in the house. At the supermarket. In school. Anywhere and in front of anyyone.
It was emotionally very difficult for me. And very hurtful. Both physically and mentally.
Any person with Autism will tell you that it is extremely difficult to stop ticks.
I could not stop it.
Her logic was that if I was embarrassed enough, I would stop my ticks and stims and OCD. Of course, that’s not how it works.
Her logic was that she did not want me to stand out and she did not want me to be the subject of bullying. Or herself the subject of bullying, for having a ‘weird’ sister.
For anyone with autism, stopping ticks is not something you can do on command.
Ticks are automatic, and they happen without conscious thought.
The only thing I could do in that situation was change my tick into something less noticeable.
Instead of touching my lip to my nose, I started tensing the muscles in my neck or shoulders—something that wasn’t as obvious to other people.
This allowed me to keep my ticks but in a way that wouldn’t draw attention or lead to me being punched.
The only thing I could actually do was change my obvious tick into something less obvious. So that I could still feel satisfied and control how I expressed my anxiety, but in a way where I would not get beaten up.
Disclaimer
Growing up in the 90s, there was very little awareness or understanding of autism, OCD, or mental health in general.
My autism diagnosis was rejected by my family, and I was told I was just a “late learner and a little weird.”
This made managing my ticks and OCD even more difficult, as I didn’t have the support or resources that are available today.
How to Reduce Ticks: A Practical Approach
If your ticks are obvious and you feel self-conscious about them, you can try finding a less noticeable alternative.
For example, if your tick involves a movement in your face, like mine did, you might try redirecting the tick to another part of your body. The best thing for me was to keep the ticks in and around my head area.
I now tense my neck or shoulder muscles, which is much less noticeable. If your tick is extremely obvious see what else you feel comfortable doing.
I now tense and un-tense my neck muscles and sometimes I tense and un-tense my upper shoulder area.
It is not obvious unless I am in a low cut shirt and someone is focusing on the muscles near and around my neck.
My sister had no idea I was doing it. Which then means that no body else could notice either.
Switching ticks is not an easy process.
It takes time, and it feels uncomfortable at first.
But with patience and persistence, you can stop stimming in ways that draw unwanted attention.
It’s important to remember that this is not about changing who you are or trying to hide your autism.
It’s about finding ways to make life more manageable for you.
I am sure, learning this skill somewhat made my school life easier because I was definitely known as the ‘weird’ kid who made weird movements.
Final Thoughts: Finding Control and Comfort
Managing ticks, stims and OCD when you have autism can be incredibly challenging.
These behaviors are often comforting, but they can also interfere with daily life.
If you feel that your ticks, stims and OCD are holding you back, it’s possible to stop in ways that improve your quality of life.
It won’t happen overnight, and it will take hard work, but it is possible.
Remember, the goal isn’t to please anyone else.
It’s about living your life in a way that makes you feel comfortable and in control.
Whether you choose to address your ticks and OCD or not, the choice is entirely yours.
In the beginning. Switching your ticks to something less familiar is not as easy as it sounds.
And purposely triggering yourself with OCD and stopping is honestly one of the hardest things you could ever do to yourself.
It is uncomfortable and the desire to go back to the original tick, stim or OCD is strong.
For those looking to challenge their ticks, stims and OCD, I recommend reading ‘Challenging OCD in Young People with ASD’, which offers great insights into managing these behaviors.
And remember, you’re not alone in this journey. I’m here to support anyone who wants to share their experiences or seek advice on how to manage life with autism.
Disclaimer: This post is based on my personal experience and is not intended as professional advice.
Everyone’s experience with autism, ticks, and OCD is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.