Facial movement compulsion

[honda1992]

Hi,
I have this issue wherein I suck my cheeks in and make a fish face. It's voluntary but it's almost impossible for me to stop doing it. I remember starting this about 10 years ago when I was 22. At that time, I didn't even know I was doing it until someone mentioned it to me. I stopped (it is embarassing) and never thought of it again. It's almost 10 years later and happening again. Like the last time ,I didn't realize I was even doing it until one day I was giving my face an inspection and noticed these wrinkles/lines UGH!! around my mouth..I made the "fish face" and lo and behold the cause of the wrinkles was discovered! That was about 6 months ago. The movements are getting worse and the more I think about it, the more I do it. It's almost as if my cheeks "tickle" if I try to abstain. What can this be? I am most concerned about the wrinkles. I have been dx with GAD in the past and do notice that I tend to do this when I am stressed but still...I don't ever remember reading about this when learning about anxiety in psych class! I am on no meds and don't do drugs. Occassional glass of wine on a holiday and I do smoke cigarettes. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I have been googling this for weeks with no similar finding. Thanks :)-

[honda1992]

Thanks so much to all of you...I feel like such a freak, u know? Funny thing is, my stress level is lower than it ever has been but historically for me this is when my anxiety can rear it's ugly head. I guess I was avoiding the dr as I don't want to deal with this issue or confirm it. But you are all correct..going to call tomorrow and make an appointment. I will keep you posted..thanks again :)

[MilMama]

I don't know if you'll even see this, but I'm almost in tears reading your op because I'm currently scouring the internet for help with facial movement compulsions. Mine has taken a few different forms over the past decade, but just like you it'll go away for a while and then come back full force, with now being a strong recurrence. I haven't told my husband, my mom, or my best friend. I feel ashamed. I'm embarrassed. I would love to talk to you more about this or hear what you learned from your doc if you ever see this message. Right now I just feel very alone in it and it really, really sucks.

[AnxiousNoMore]

His diagnosis, if there is one, will have nothing to do with yours. The advice given is to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis because no one including honda1992 can diagnose from here. You will not find anything useful on the internet to help you with this problem - for one thing your self diagnosed problem  may not even be a real problem and instead you might just be over-examining your body thinking you are seeing something wrong so only a professional can figure that out.

[Paxiled]

Is this a compulsion or a habit?  I guess meaning, as per the above response, have you been diagnosed with anything?  

[nursegirl6572]

I was first thinking like a compulsion, as with OCD, and the Tourette's possibility makes sense too, HOWEVER, it would be highly unlikely in both of those cases for it to have abruptly ceased for 10 years and then reemerge.  You have a history of an anxiety disorder, and my bet is when your anxiety is triggered more severely, this is one way it presents itself.  Just a guess, but get yourself back to your p-doc and see if he/she has some more concrete answers...he/she would be able to rule out (or in) a concurrent diagnosis (like OCD, etc)...and be able to help you address it.  Best of luck...keep us updated!

[jlroesner]

I agree with Advocate.  First things first.  Have you seen your MD about thIs?  It is so important to rule out physical causes for symptoms before even beginning to examine the anxiety component.  However, I can tell you that a lot of us here experience facial twitching or muscle movement as part of our anxiety.  To me, that's one of the most frustrating things about anxiety.  There is no set of clear and complete universal symptoms.  We know what happens in a majority of people, but it is not an all inclusive list.  The only thing to say for a fact is that anxiety does cause physical symptoms.  Those physical symptoms may find a commonality, but again they are by no means inclusive.  So, if you can, make an appointment with your doctor and maybe try some of things that we know help anxiety.  I am a huge proponent of relaxation and meditation.  It helps you find out what exactly is causing you so much stress and offers a greatly needed respite from the physical symptoms.  Hang in there.  Let us know how you are doing.  Jen

[ILADVOCATE]

   You might try asking your doctor about Tourette's Syndrome and ask if that might potentially be a tic as if there is some physical tension you have to release in this manner that might be one cause but only a doctor would understand this in full.