Whoah! So thankful to "Pauledh" for starting this thread back in 2009.
Like so many of you, I've been body rocking since I was a child. (I'm 47 now.)
I am so grateful to everyone who shared their stories and offered details that mirrored my own experience. I feel so much less ashamed.
I want to address the daydreaming part of body rocking: Years ago, I made a conscious decision to use the daydreaming time in a more productive way. One way is to solve problems. As an example, whenever I have a computer problem I can't figure out (some glitch that comes up that needs fixing), I'll leave my computer to body rock and use my imagination to figure out different, possible solutions. Also, every time I go on a trip involving an airplane, I body rock before I leave and see myself going through the whole process from leaving home to fastening the seat belt. Then I'm able to go through the actual experience with total ease.
I also envision upcoming conversations as well and go back over previous conversations.
Recently, I started writing fiction. I use my daydreams to envision the scenes I will write. And, just like with problem solving, if I get stuck, I always go to my couch, put headphones on, listen to music (often the same song over and over) and daydream until i figure it out. I think it's the soothing, the euphoria, and the daydreaming that makes it such a valuable tool for me.
Again, like so many of you, I experienced abuse, I was shamed for rocking, broke furniture, and keep it a secret. But after reading all these comments, I'm now seeing how it has saved, and enhanced, my life and I am so grateful for the ritual and have no desire to stop.
From my experience, as I got older, the practice would ebb and flow. I have gone months without doing it. I've also gone through phases where I did it so much I got a blood blister on my calf from sitting cross-legged for so long. (That only happened once.) I don't really question the pattern or the reasoning anymore.
I do often wonder if I'm strengthening my abs by rocking!
Google Search "Maladaptive Daydreaming & Body Rocking"
I am also a maladaptive daydreamer and body rocker.
Good luck rockers.
Body rocking has taken over my entire life.I have zero friends,zero interests and the only thing that makes me happy is body rocking as much as i possibly can.This means at least 12 hours/day.I took Gabapentin as i've read it can help me to drop the habit but it isn't working on me.Took 600mg/day but i body rock just as much.I'm 32 and i body rock since forever.I just want to decrease the amount of time i spend on this,not to cut it off completely,but i just can't(i crave it every day)...any help would be more than appreciated.
Hi Sophia,
Were you able to beat the addiction? I'm in a similar position -- I just turned 26, and I realized that body-rocking has taken up too much time in my life. It is very much like an addiction for me as well, or rather, an unhealthy coping mechanism (I crave it when I'm bored, stressed, or want to escape from reality, all of which occur often). It has wreaked havoc on my real relationships and life goals because it usually satisfies any need for human interaction (even though it is all in my head) and eats away at my hours.
I'm not sure how to stop, because it's such a big part of my life.
Any advice/help would be appreciated!
~Dhi
Hello,my friend,have only just found this thread after a whole lifetime of being afflicted by this thing.I am much older than you and would implore you to try to be strong enough to stop this thing.I know how hard it is,i learned the hard way.Good luck,josh
I don't believe it is JUST caused by stress.It is highly physically addictive,i assure you.