Does anyone else do this...

[Aisling (Ash)]

Hi, I'm ash. I'm 19 and I'm new. Only discovered the term MD a couple of days ago, absolutely shocked and overwhelmed to find out there are people out there who do the same thing as me. I call it 'rocking', I go into my room, turn out the lights, shut the curtains, plug in my music, lie down and rock my head from side to side and escape to another place. I don't usually talk about it, my entire family just see it as completely normal behaviour, for me. Been doing it since I was 3, it got much worse in my teens, when I started listening to music alongside it. It's the last thing I do at night, and the first thing I do in the morning. I stay in bed/want to stay in bed all day. For anyone afflicted with  MD, you would know it makes everyday life almost impossible. For me it's an addiction that I desperately want to stop and could never imagine being able to give up. Tried everything, even hypnotherapy. But I wouldn't have a life without it. Trying to keep this as short as possible as I never use chat rooms or anything like this, but basically my question is: does any body out there rock? Not pace or spin, which I've heard is common, but actually rock, like the way I've briefly described. And do you do it for hours on end? For me, when I spend the day rocking, time speeds up and the day goes so fast. Side note, completely damaged my spine from years of excessive rocking back and forth and side to side, and brushing out my hair is an absolute killer. Also, what are people doing to stop? It's such a conflict, MD makes me feel both unbelievably trapped, yet free at the same time. Anyway, if anyone out there can relate, that would be great.  Cheers.

[Rashomon Effect]

Hey, Ash. I never did the body rocking. There are a lot of folks who do some type of movement, but only a small number of people who do the body rocking.

I have read that some body rockers still have to contend with excessive daydreaming after they were able to stop the body rocking.

Anytime a person daydreams they are detaching from reality, even when they are driving a car, doing chores or doing their job. To go into a room, turn off the lights, close the curtains, listen to music in ear buds and body rock, is increasing the level of detachment significantly.

You mentioned that your family is aware of your behavior. I believe it would benefit you immensely for them to help you overcome this. You are still going to be responsible for changing, but having support from others is powerful. I also feel that you are going to have to have a structured plan and daily schedule. I don't believe just  making an effort to stop is going to be enough. Replacing a bad habit or addiction with a healthy alternative is the most effective way to overcome the negative behavior.

Because you have been body rocking since age three, I feel you should consult with a professional about treatment options. It may have a strong neurological component and body rocking is really not well understood. I am sure you have already discussed it with a doctor or doctors. I am sure it is frustrating that the many treatments you have tried so far have not given you any relief.

Overcoming excessive daydreaming requires a lifestyle change. It is not about just stopping the daydreaming. It does require some reprogramming or retraining of the brain. To change a behavior and thought pattern that you have had for many years, will most likely require a great deal of time and effort. There will be failures and frustrations. That is why I feel the best approach for you is to have a detailed course of action that you follow and not just a few bits of advice from folks on this forum. We can offer advice, support and understanding, but I don't want you to bounce from trying one technique to trying another suggested technique.

I feel the best approach is to work with a professional on a daily schedule and plan.

I do hope you stay with us and keep us informed. You can benefit many others by sharing your journey.

[Alta Morden]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-OCD-/Bod...

These people seem to do that as well.

My (now ex) husband would do that for hours and hours every day while listening to music.  Only he rocked forward and backwards, often hugging his arms to his chest.  I don't know if he daydreamed or not, it never occurred to me to ask even though I am a DD'er myself.

[taffle]

I do notice that when I MD, I try to make myself comfortable and that includes shifting my head from side to side. I set aside a specific time of the day to listen to music, for empowerment purposes, but now all that music is screwing up my head. When I am not listening to music, I get songs stuck in my head as if a radio is playing endlessly in my mind. It's very distracting and this triggers my MD even more! I think I need to go cold turkey. I will stop playing music today and see how it goes.

MD is like a drug, makes people feel trapped and free at the same time.

[Nicole]

I feel so blessed that repetitive movement isn't one of my MD effects. However, I have heard of this problem a lot in others.

[samurai]

Find someone who can teach you, how to meditate. Rocking is cool to keep your mind fresh after a long day work; but if it's crossing a limit- if you think so- then your mind must be restless from many days.