Is "stereotypic movement" a BPD symptom?

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[KaylaChrist]

Hi Board,

I lived with a BP for a stretch and found that she sometimes displayed stereotypic movement, a behavior most often found in people with autism or mental retardation. From what I gathered from Wikipedia, it is a repetitive action used to discharge tension or regulate emotions, such as snapping fingers or body rocking. In her case it was rapid hand-flapping, which I noticed she did when she was anxious or stressed. It makes sense that a BP might have a behavior like this, but I have never read about other BPs displaying this behavior before. Have you known a BP that also had stereotypic movements?

[At_Bay]

Hi to you. I can only post a comment, but will try to get a message out you want it moved, possibly.

No, I've been reading and posting on this board for years and don't immediately recall anyone mentioning the hand flapping, etc., however, it is not extremely unusual for someone to think their spouse/SO has OCD symptoms.

[PotentiallyKevin]

stereotypic movements are actually very common in all mental health disorders. It has to do with anxiety and poor impulse control, so I am sure it is common within the BPD spectrum as well.

[GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT]

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT This board is intended for general questions about BPD and other personality disorders, trait definitions, and related therapies and diagnostics. Topics should be formatted as a question. Please do not host topics related to the specific pwBPD in your life - those discussions should be hosted on an appropraite [L1] - [L4] board. You will find indepth information provided by our senior members in our workshop board discussions (click here).

[irishsob]

My uBPDw does this. I assume it is the self-soothing - a phrase I picked up from our MC. Often when sitting, and usually anxious or otherwise agitated, will rock back and forth and rub the palms of her hands on her thighs like she is trying to warm herself.