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shaking when excited

I have an 8 year old daughter that spasms every time she gets excited.  Her fingers stiffen and her face stiffens whenever she is excited about something.  We thought she would grow out of this, she has been doing this since a few months old.  It only occurs when she is excited, Never out of frustration or other emotions.  It looks as though she is having a seizure but if I touch her hands she will stop.  We have discussed trying to stop this behavior but she says that it is a part of her and she doesn't care who sees her do it.  We are worried that she will be made fun of at school.  Right now, she has no social problems but her friends have asked her why she shakes and does that with her hands.  Please advise, as her pediatrician has said that he is not alarmed and that she will most likely grow out of this.  
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Avatar universal
My daughter who is ten also has this. It appears that one of the responders below has been able to provide some research that has led to a diagnosis of Primary Complex Motor Stereotypies. There is also some possible treatments that include behavioral therapy and/or GABA supplements.
Here’s a copy of their posted research links.
—————————————————————————————-
I'll just leave this here after doing a little google research... will be off to the docs to talk about it more but the GAMA link could be a life line for some of you

Primary Motor Stereotypies

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/pediatric-neurology/conditions/motor-stereotypies/

https://www.johnshopkinssolutions.com/solution/the-johns-hopkins-motor-stereotypies-behavioral-therapy-program/

https://www.johnshopkinssolutions.com/treat-primary-complex-motor-stereotypies-at-home/

Motor Stereotypies And You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOJqS9tl61k


A new study by Dr. Harvey Singer and his team indicates a possible link between GABA and glutamate dysfunction and primary complex motor stereotypies.

Here is the study: http://www.ajnr.org/content/ajnr/early/2015/11/05/ajnr.A4547.full.pdf

https://www.naturalstacks.com/blogs/news/gaba-supplements-for-sleep

GABA Brain Food https://www.naturalstacks.com.au/products/gaba?_pos=1&_sid=e0e3a3b19&_ss=r

https://naturalstacks.com/blogs/news/gaba-the-inhibitory-neurotransmitter
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Avatar universal
I just searched 'arms stiffening when excited' and this forum came up. I am 38 and these symptoms have been with me my whole life. I've also dealt with social anxiety which I was looking for information about and came across late diagnosed autism. Everyone here should look it up because I was just diagnosed age 37. Some people with autism have less obvious symptoms and only get diagnosed when they get tired out as they age.

The diagnosis was a huge relief because I don't need to blame myself for my little differences. There is nothing that can be done to stop the symptoms, but loads of ways to learn to deal with life to make for a happier experience. Also one of my favourite things about myself is my excitement feeling- it's exactly like what all the other posters have experienced. Sometimes it shows and sometimes I conceal it, but I wouldn't be without that amazing feeling. It makes my life so much richer. I did it while hugging my son, and he called it a 'pleasurable moment' and he specifically asked for those hugs because he knows it's because I love him so much. The only thing I'm worried about is my heart racing is becoming more obvious to me now and one time I cricked my neck.

Sometimes I feel like I'm not really autistic because a lot of the symptoms I don't have. This particular symptom isn't really talked about when you look at 'stimming'. But I think that's what it is related to, especially 'visual stimming'.

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Avatar universal
I've had this happen to me since I was very little. It was more uncontrollable back then and still somewhat is. I'm 15 and it still happens when I'm excited or in deep thought. I start shaking and it looks like I'm screaming but no sound is coming out. I've always been self conscious about it. People thought I had turrets. I haven't gone to any doctors for it but I wish I knew if it had a name to it or not.
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Avatar universal
I'll just leave this here after doing a little google research... will be off to the docs to talk about it more but the GAMA link could be a life line for some of you

Primary Motor Stereotypies

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/pediatric-neurology/conditions/motor-stereotypies/

https://www.johnshopkinssolutions.com/solution/the-johns-hopkins-motor-stereotypies-behavioral-therapy-program/

https://www.johnshopkinssolutions.com/treat-primary-complex-motor-stereotypies-at-home/

Motor Stereotypies And You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOJqS9tl61k


A new study by Dr. Harvey Singer and his team indicates a possible link between GABA and glutamate dysfunction and primary complex motor stereotypies.

Here is the study: http://www.ajnr.org/content/ajnr/early/2015/11/05/ajnr.A4547.full.pdf

https://www.naturalstacks.com/blogs/news/gaba-supplements-for-sleep

GABA Brain Food https://www.naturalstacks.com.au/products/gaba?_pos=1&_sid=e0e3a3b19&_ss=r

https://naturalstacks.com/blogs/news/gaba-the-inhibitory-neurotransmitter
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2 Comments
Have the GABA pills worked?
Thanks for sharing.  When I was 23 I started getting sick. Stress or anxiety would trigger it. Once red wine triggered it. I would get the shakes after having fun or before a stressful event. It would only happen at night for me. I often got vomiting after that wouldn't stop until I went to the ER and got something to knock me out and anti-nausea meds. Later I was diagnosed with a positive EEG and it was a  migraine variant. The doctor gave me clonazepam and that worked.  I have been on it for years. I later started getting a migraine aura and or headache.  I now sometimes just get the shaking and rigidness .
mkh9
Avatar universal
I'm bringing this thread back from the dead in 2018 to throw my hat in the ring. 29-year old male and I find myself doing internet searches on "having moments where I'm so excited I shake". I've read in the years that people who are in their late adulthood stages still experience this. In fact, it was because I had another episode without any real understanding of it that I chose to search it on the web again, leading me here.

It just feels like a bubbling excitement that starts in my chest and almost in a way to relieve regular anxiety, I feel myself going into manic overdrive. My jaw unhinges and starts to flex as if though I'm constantly biting down using only the jaw muscles; contracting, decontracting, and so on. Other times my nostrils will flex and my face will distort in a way that it appears enraged or shocked, and sometimes my tongue will even form itself into a forward roll with the tip touching my bottom teeth and the central part of the tongue resting on the top jaw; I’m gently biting down and releasing in short bursts but never fully relinquishing physical contact between the teeth and tongue- there's something cathartic about that.  I usually engage the most into these excitements in the shower where usually an open mouth will begin drooling an excessive amount out of pure excitement. My hands will shake by rotating as far counterclock- to as far clockwise rapidly while both of my arms begin flapping in short erratic bursts like a wingless bird attempting flight. I imagine my hands becoming drills or spinning miniguns and I normally don't control the direction of my gaze; sometimes crossing, other times blurring in focus.

Making eye contact with myself in a reflection or mirror, or knowing that someone is within viewing distance of me immediately pulls me out of it. Freshkicks51 mentioned back in 2017 about it allowing them to tap into a certain creativity before performing artwork and I can completely relate. In this state it feels almost trancelike, where I don't necessarily dictate the thoughts or images I see. Sometimes the focusing of patterns in the bathroom tile make shapes like fireworks or explosions, other times it takes me to places where I feel like a superhuman giving speeches to massive faceless audiences or performing musical pieces like a renaissance-era virtuoso.

This phenomena (or not) would be an excellent source of a sociological study and the impacts and correlations shared between individuals who experience this and those who don't could be revelatory of an untapped social identity. Just my thoughts :P
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1 Comments
Just wanted to mention that staring at the TV helps. I don't know why. But if I start vomiting I can't stop it on my own. I have been on clonazepam for migraine variant for 30 years. It still works on the vomiting but occasionally I get uncontrollable shakes. It does stop if I don't get the vomiting.
mkh9
Avatar universal
I'd just like to leave a response here for all the parents that are concerned. I am 22 years old and have had this my entire life. I will say that it has not gone away I still experience it everyday. However, it has not had an impact on my social life, It only happens when I am alone. I don't think of it as a problem, I think of it as a gift. For me, it lets me connect with the things I'm truly passionate about. I would always experience it when I would draw or make artwork as a child. I would sit there staring at the blank canvas shaking, having little episodes alone in my room. That still happens today. However I will say that it helps me create things with true passion and creativity. I am working on a masters degree in Sports Product Design at the University of Oregon. These "shaking" episodes have helped me create work that is being exhibited around the country. It has helped me channel passion into a drive to succeed. I encourage you parents out there to embrace it, because it is truly a gift.
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My 5 year old girl has had “excited hands”for years. We have always thought of it as a precious part of her personality, until we recently began some parental handwringing about what it might mean for her (and maybe us?) when she gets older. So comforted by these kinds of posts, and will try to cherish her gift forever.
Avatar universal
I'd just like to leave a response here for all the parents that are concerned. I am 22 years old and have had this my entire life. I will say that it has not gone away I still experience it everyday. However, it has not had an impact on my social life, It only happens when I am alone. I don't think of it as a problem, I think of it as a gift. For me, it lets me connect with the things I'm truly passionate about. I would always experience it when I would draw or make artwork as a child. I would sit there staring at the blank canvas shaking, having little episodes alone in my room. That still happens today. However I will say that it helps me create things with true passion and creativity. I am working on a masters degree in Sports Product Design at the University of Oregon. These "shaking" episodes have helped me create work that is being exhibited around the country. It has helped me channel passion into a drive to succeed. I encourage you parents out there to embrace it, because it is truly a gift.
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Avatar universal
I am an adult who did this as a child and still sometimes do it very subtlety. I have a genius IQ and am a perfectly normal adult with no issues. Hope this helps calm any concerns.
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Avatar universal
Strangely, it has taken me 27 years to realize this is a fairly common but abnormal behavior. Mostly, I just haven't given it much thought as it has always been a part of my 'normal'. I have exhibited some form of this my entire life. When I was a young child, I would clench my fists down at my sides, stand on my tippy toes, usually a slight turn of head and an intense smile that makes me clench my teeth, and shake with excitement. Only excitement or joy brings it on and it only lasts 1-2 secs, possibly slightly longer as a child. Now, as an adult, it has morphed it into more of a clench my hands together at my chest and clench my teeth. I remember being young and having friends ask me about it so it didn't take long for me to start hiding or refraining. Now, I can consciously allow it, minimize it, or not do it but it really does feel good, like a release, so I generally don't interfere with it. Now that I understand how energy works, I would guess that a good portion of those of us experiencing this are empathic in nature or more 'tuned in'/sensitive to the movement of energy. When we are connected with God (unlimited energy source, creative force, whatever you want to call it) and experience joy, we are quite literally overflowing with joy and those around us (who aren't programmed to judge this experience) would be able to feel the joy too. If I walk into a room with an intense/angry vibe I feel it right away, same goes for the opposite, so a naturally developed discernment in that way. I could also call it primary compIex stereotypie, but that's just the medical field term for what is happening in the physical. I now view this connection as a gift and like to think of it as my reminder that I have 24/7 access to unconditional love :)
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Avatar universal
I am so happy to find this thread! My mother, myself and one out of my 3 kids ALL do this! I didn't think it was odd at all until I was older. I am 45 now, my mom is 65 and we still do it. My mom and I both cross our arms and kinda hug/squeeze ourselves or put our hands together and squeeze/shake. I have to redirect my son because he tends to wiggle his fingers together down by his crotch area with the face contortions, which looks SO bad to an outsider. WE know what he is doing but others don't and it is definitely taken wrong sometimes. Then I have no idea how to explain what it IS. People look at me like I am crazyyyyy. "Well, when we get really happy or self satisfied, or excited we have to squeeze and shake." I started searching to figure out if I could get a diagnosis so I have something to say to people! Can't find one. But I found this so I at least know we are NOT the only people in the whole world who do this! I thought it might be a mild autism thing. Thanks!
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1 Comments
My daughter is 10 and she too does this.  She has since she was a baby.  She too trys to control herself by squeezing her hands together. I also dont really know how to explain to people what she is doing except that she gets extra excited. Iv worried about her from day one about others making fun of her but so far she has not gotten picked on just a couple people asked her why she does it. She says she does it because her brain tells her to and she likes to do it and make her feel happy. She hasnt let it hold her back either. Shes top in her class and shes got a big heart.
Avatar universal
I have a 12-month-old daughter who tenses up and shakes when excited and it reminded me of my son who also did that to lesser extent as a toddler as if he was extremely excited and couldn't contain the energy. We recently did genetic testing on my son and it turns out he has a GABA deficiency we are treating him with herbal neurotransmitter supplements and it seems to have helped his hyperness.  GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. I am wondering if this could also be a neurotransmitter issue with my daughter since it is genetic but we haven't done the testing for this.
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Avatar universal
My son is 3 and hes hands been shaken ever since he was a baby. When he would feed himself his hand would shake so much all his food would fall off his spoon.I ask his doctors every time we go for his yearly check up and he said its normal that we will grow out of it. He says hes just developing slower that his brain is trying to tell his hand what to do. At first I kinda thought oh okay I can kinda see that but now that it keeps happening Im thinking its something else. All his teachers at school are  worry about it too. Its gotten alot better that hes gotten older but still worry about it. He gets frustrated when he tries to do stuff when his hands are shaking and he cant.
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Avatar universal
My son is ten and does the same exact thing and he has done it since a baby. I thought he would outgrow it however it seems so happen more often now that he is older and I do notice it a lot more. I have not taken him to see a doctor about the situation lately and all his visits have always shown normal results. He does well in school and sports It seem random and mostly when he gets excited.
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2 Comments
Anything to worry?
What you described sounds exactly like my 10 year old son. Did you ever talk to his doctor about this?
Avatar universal
When I was 25 years old I suffered from depression and I visited a phycologist to find the root cause of my anxieties. It was then that I opened up about this 'tensing habit'.

I've experienced much of the same symptoms everyone is describing here.. If I'm alone and something I see or think about causes excitement I go into 'hulk mode' like I'm about to evolve into a different Pokemon. I scrunch up my face, usually bringing my hands up to around my mouth and experience a huge influx of adrenaline even only for a few short seconds.. at which point I usually notice my previously subconscious actions and stop.

I think the adrenaline and relief that this momentarily brings me from any excitement or anxieties I suffer from are what feeds this habit into something I cannot stop doing.

@Scrynthe, I finally made my concerns about this public when I was 25 as I also noticed that I began to experience headaches (or like a constant pressure) in my left temple and doctors we're concerned that it was possibly a tumor so I had an MRI scan but results showed a healthy functioning brain. The Doctors could not relate the characteristics of my habits to anything except tourette's and autism, both of which they would not diagnose me for and of which I know I do not have.

A few years ago I was convinced that it was ADHD but I do not share many of the symptoms associated with that disorder either. So quite possibly it is 'this primary motor (repetitive) stereotypy' that Dr John Hopkins describes.

I am 28 now and still experience these fits when I am alone. It still allows me to lead a relatively normal life except I do believe this habit affects my focus, attentiveness and motivation because if something provokes me to 'have an episode', often the adrenaline following that throws me off track and I can never regain focus.

Curious to hear more about diet and whether that can effect the urge. Some adult's here seem happy to live with it but I for one would love to hear of a cure?
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1 Comments
Hi do you know of any meds that can help what you have as my son is ten years old and experiencing the exact symptoms you are describing, but he gets very embarrassed about it and children have mocked him at school because of it.
Avatar universal
Hi, look up complex motor stereotypy. A dr at Johns Hopkins  specialize in it. I just discovered it for my son. my 9 month old has been making the O; face as well as other facial movements and stiffening his legs and waving his arms when excited. There are a couple Facebook groups and there are some  adults on there that say they have always had it and they just learned to control it as they got older.
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1 Comments
This doctor specialize in it but, has he found any answers?
Avatar universal
I'm glad so many people seem to experience the same thing. Just because it makes me feel more "normal." Haha. But seriously I do not think it is anything to worry about. I have been doing this shaking, huming, and grimacing or contorting my face when excited since I was a kid and I still do it sometimes. I am 32. Sorry I think some kids may not out grow this as I did not and neither did my 34 year old sister. I don't think it hinders me in any real way though. I am fully concious doing this and I only do it when I'm alone. I think it may be related to stress, diet, and a neurological influence. I was socially awkward as a kid but I grew out of that and am very friendly now. The same with my sister. I am able to work, socialize, travel, drive, and do everything a healthy adult can do. I hope this helps for people who may be experiencing this or with their children. I have noticed that I do it a lot less when I am eating really healthy, which I did not as much as a child.
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Avatar universal
Clearing Sailing above seems to have the right answer.  My son did the open mouth/ hand twitching and stiff back routine at times when he was only 3 months old up until he was about 5 or so.  I had an EEG done on him when he was 2 to rule out seizures.  He did end up getting diagnosed with ADHD and used Ritalin during school hours once he turned 10 -- which helped tremendously in school.  I think he just learned to control it.  I tend to have feelings of a rush of adrenaline myself at times for no apparent reason.  My son is 35 and I am 59 and we both are having successful lives!  Never hurts to get all things checked out and answers given by professional doctors.  But try not to make a big deal out of it -- to make them feel bad.  I just would ask my son to do something active (engage in folding towels or something similar) when he did his "act."  Perhaps this helped him recognize how to control what I feel is a "burst of energy".  God wires us all differently and we just learn how to process our environment.  (My son tended to do this when he was very tired.  He was never a person that yawned.  It was like he did this instead of yawning.)  
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I have had this condition every since I was a child. I do it when I see something exciting, pleasure, or anticipated event. I am now 58. I have learned to control it a bit but never worried about it. I was never teased either once I just told others what is going on. I was told I was add or ADHD a bit. It never seemed to interfere with work or activity, but I did or still have intense daydreaming. I have had great responsible jobs and six kids. I have been married three times not good but I have to admit I sometimes got bored. Always needed multiple things to do at once, but like I said it has gotten better. I garden and yardwork for me works well. I function at a high level very mechanical and technical type self taught. School bored me but graduated. Were all wired differently I agree with you that rule out the bad things medically. At my age as well very healthy, run, no health issues and no prescription drugs used. My 8 year old son has it a bit worse than me he functions well, healthy and in time he will need to learn to live with it. Also he is very very smart. Plays sports, has great friends...
Avatar universal
My daughter is 5 and has done "the excited shaking" since she was a baby.  She is also a toe walker.  It has been brought to my attention recently that all of these things probably stem from sensory disorder.  I took her to a neurologist last week and he did order and MRI for her.  This will take place in Nov.  He doesn't seem overly concerned.  He just wants to rule some things out.
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Avatar universal
My daughter does the exact same thing and she is 10. When she is excited or anticipating something exciting her hands will twist with fingers splayed open and her mouth opens in an O but her back stiffens and sometimes she will jump up and down. On another note, everyone I know says it is nothing to worry about but I wonder if I am brushing it off and if it is something more.Perhaps I should have her evaluated. I don't see other kids do this and I don't stop her or anything. I will usually just smile and tell her I can tell she is happy because that is when it happens.  As she gets older I notice she is socially awkward but I can't really put a reason on it or a how. My sister pointed out that she doesn't make eye contact often. I don't know, she excels in all of her classes. Being a Mom can be so frustrating.
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Avatar universal
I wish a Neurologist would chime in on this thread.  Has anyone had EEG or MRI done?  I'm kinda like the kid on "Kindergarten Cop."  I'm afraid everything is a tumor.  My son's hands twist when he's thrilled, his body tenses up, and his face freezes open mouth, but he comes out of it if touched.  He loves the feeling.  Kids ask what he's doing and he says he's "double thinking."  
He also twitches a lot in his sleep, again with the hands independently twisting.
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Avatar universal
My almost 2 year old daughter whole body shakes, and not just at times of excitement, but in times of being upset, and when she first wakes up as well. She has been doing this for about 6 mths. It seems to me that she is having mini strokes,  and seizures. Her pediatrician assures me that she will too grow out of this in time. She seems to be okay with it but I get the panic and anxiety every time she does this. She was born very prematurely but caught up very quickly and has been thriving. Though she has no signs of verbal communication yet. Though she understands when I talk to her, and points to things she knows she wants. I don't know I am just a concerned mommy for sure.
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Avatar universal
My first memory of experiencing uncontrollable shaking was as a three year old following to other kids along an alleyway, who were off to do something exciting. I distinctly remember going into a frenzy of excitement, my whole body convulsing and then going into a semi-conscious mental state - it was like an uncontrollable torrent of energy, bursting to get out of my body somehow. Later on in my early years, I would twitch whenever I anticipated something exciting about to happen. When I reached my teens, this behaviour would also be triggered by stressful feelings when struggling to concentrate on my school work for example. Right up into my adult life, this it stayed with me to varying degrees. What really helped me to come to terms with this extremely embarrassing and shame inducing habit, has been to practise mindfulness without judgement, and occasionally doing yoga stretches. I have found I can become aware of the whole dynamic that would bring it about.

Turning the clock back in time, when I was four years old my parents took me to a medical doctor whose only advice was that I would probably grow out of it. He probably knew that shaking was very common in babies, most of which grow into normally functioning adults.

As far as I know, this forum is the only place that has come close to discussing something that I experienced for many years of my life, but out of shame, would never discuss with anyone. My parents tried to shame me out of it as a child, and my brother teased me incessantly. This didn't cure me of it, but instead forced me to live in denial and shame for many years.

I have often wondered if it IS connected to autism or maybe the flight or fight mechanism. I've also speculated that a lot more people experience it than would dare admit to it.
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Avatar universal
This seems to be the exact behavior of my son. Have you found anything to help?
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Avatar universal
I'm 33 and I experience the excitement/anticipation "shaking" (I click my fingers like tapping a dip can). I am aware of it and can control it. I mostly do it at home or when I know I'm not on display. It has never affected me in any way socially, academically, or physically. I am a high achiever and have been successful in many aspects of my life. Very few people outside of my family and extended family know that I "click" my fingers when I'm excited or anticipating something, or even daydreaming. I'm not embarrassed by it at all. I have just learned not to make my mouth make the "O" shape :). My family loves the face and they try to get me to do it so others can see it, but I decline most of the time.

I now have a 3 year old daughter who does it and we have had no negative experiences there as well. She says she is "wiggling" if you ask her what she is doing. Since I have grown up with it and it has not inhibited me in any way I am perfectly fine with my children having it. I let my daughter know that I do the same thing and we "wiggle" together and have a good time with it. I wouldn't be concerned. I used to joke as a teen that I will probably do this when I'm 40. I now tell my family that I probably will never stop doing it and I'm fine with that.  
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