Rhythmic Movement Disorder, Can't take it anymore

[suziecue40]

Hello,

Is there anyone, I mean anyone, out there that has rhythmic movement disorder? I have been violently thrashing my body and head, laterally while asleep or mostly somewhat asleep since I can remember. I am 30 now. It use to consume maybe an hour or two a night but now it is getting drastically worse. I find myself doing it or am told that I, "rock", 4-5 hours a night. Apparently kids grow out of this and the remainder that carry this disorder into their adult lives are autistic or mentally challenged, which I am neither. My doctor prescribed me clonazepam, which does not work and I'm not taking an addictive, benzodiazepine for the rest of my life.
Does anyone relate to my problem and if so what treatments have worked for you? I'm going to go insane!

[william26]

hi my names tim, i hope u dont mind me asking, but with your rhythic movement disorder, do u have any other medical conditions as well as that as i am 26 but suffered many head operations as a child and threfore have learning difficulties but i do also suffer from the same condition as you.
could i ask what other symtoms you get on a day to day basis?

[mike1983r]

the only way I wont Rock at night is if I wait until im super tired and lay on my stomach and cuddle up with a big pillow .. then ill sleep the whowhole night..

[elynam]

WOW.  Did not realize so many people have this. As a child I would move head side to side until I fell asleep. One day my mother took me to get my hair cut because she got tired of trying to comb out my matted knots in the mornings, it didn't help that I also would get gum stuck in my hair. I also up until my twenties would sit on the floor indian style and rock back & forth as I watched TV. From age 3 to 5 I would rock back and forth on the sofa. I enjoyed feeling my back bounce off the back of the sofa. My arm and hand would rub back & forth on the armrest. The roughness of the armrest was stimulating & kinda soothing.
I stopped moving my head in my first year of being married. I am 55 years old & have been married for 30 years now.
Today I still move my leg side to side. When I feel myself dozing off on the chair while watching TV I pick up my leg and continuosly bang my heel against the floor. I am a night person & wish we didn't have to sleep so much. I do shake my leg quite a bit while sitting down. I feel I cannot sit still & should be doing something physical. I love to dance & did dance for many years. I would feel great afterwards. Any physical activity makes me feel great.
As a child I was molested. Don't know if this is a factor. It never happened when I would go to bed to sleep. I feel that I have to do something physical to be happy. I would love to have as a career to teach some kind of physical class. But, I am not getting younger. I am a massage therapist & do enjoy helping people feel better. At times massaging was stressful because it took a toll on my arms and hands. This is why I teach it now. But I want to do something more physical with movement.
I couldn't read everyone's story, but I got the courage to write this, at times while bouncing my left leg up and down quite quickly.
Thank you for reading. It has been good to share with all of you who have this need to move for whatever the reason. Maybe one day I can see a sleep specialist.

[Shelbiddy]

If God's a physician he's not very good.

[Rocknrolla1991]

I am 21 years of age and rock laying on my side. I have been doing this since I was a child. I am at the stage where I can control the addiction. I get urges to move my limbs (mostly legs) I feel like nerves start jumping out of my legs and lower spine. When I was young I had to do it + the head banging. Iv come to the realization that I am addicted to the adrenaline I feel from rocking my head. If I just move my head I don't feel the urge to rock my body (otherwise usually rubbing my feet together or moving them). It is extremely difficult at start but the best way to over come this is simply to stop doing it. It's really hard, As if on withdrawal from a drug and you just want to rock, bang, move limbs but you'll eventually get there. I figured out it helps when you are in bed with a person to just hug them and get soothed by their body heat. Touching the feet of your partner with your own seems to help me. Also if you have a preferred rocking side. Switch sides. Your body feels less of an urge to obey its regular pattern, also try stretching the legs and keep one stretched out whilst having the other knee brought closer to abdomin. Helps me.

[RockerRon]

I wanted to update everyone on my progress and findings in dealing with my RMD.  I have rocked in bed and in chairs most of my life and in times of great stress, I have head banged as well.  I am happy to say that my course of treatment has been successful.  Whats amazing is that with all the movies, evidence and such out there reguarding demons and oppression and posession when I talk about how I've overcome this habit, people doubt or laugh.  Please take this seriously...I was being tormented by something very evil.  By coming to know Jesus, studying the Bible, Listening to 107.9 KWAVE radio, fellowship and prayer I have stopped all medication and most RMD.  What's even better is the forced realization that there is a Heaven and Hell and we are in or headed into end times according to the Word of God.  Demonic wicked or evil activity are getting worse.  Just watch the news, it's everywhere.  It took months to rid myself of nightly attacks and I can feel when they are coming on and can deal  with them better.  Just know that if this explains your problem, when you give your life to Christ you will invoke a battle for your soul but with persistance, and calling out to the Lord in times of trouble, you can overcome and even better is that you can assure yourself eternal salvation!  Trust me and seek Jesus.  Read the New Testament.  It is Heaven or Hell and the choice is yours.  I will be praying for all of you.