Fidgeting Behaviors Identified as Triggers for Misokinesia, a Diagnosable Aversion to Repetitive Movements

An anonymous patient disclosed to a researcher, “If I see someone tapping their fingers on a desk, my immediate thought is to chop their fingers off with a knife.” Another individual reported, “When I see someone making really small repetitive movements, such as my husband bending his toes, I feel physically ill. I hold it back but I want to vomit.” These experiences may indicate misokinesia, a recognized condition characterized by an aversion to fidgeting. Researchers are working to gain further insight into this phenomenon, for which no cause has yet been identified. Recent research, published in the journal PLoS One, involved experts conducting comprehensive interviews with 21 members of a misokinesia support group. Frequently reported triggers included movements of the legs, hands, or feet, such as jiggling thighs, twitchy fingers, and shuffling shoes. Pen clicking and hair twiddling were also cited as triggers, albeit less often. Individuals often noted a correlation with misophonia, another more widely recognized condition involving a strong aversion to certain human sounds, such as heavy breathing or loud eating. The precise prevalence of misokinesia is currently unknown. However, a recent Canadian study indicated that potentially one in three individuals could be negatively impacted by others’ fidgeting, leading to intense sensations of rage, torture, and disgust. Dr. Jane Gregory, a clinical psychologist at Oxford University in the UK, who has been researching and treating both misokinesia and misophonia, stated to BBC News: “The two go alongside each other very frequently. Often people have both at the same time.” Dr. Gregory commented that despite a lack of robust data, these conditions are likely surprisingly common. She added, “Obviously, people have been experiencing it for a long time but just didn’t have a name for it.” The intensity of individuals’ aversion to fidgeting differs, she explained. “Some people might get really annoyed by fidgeting or repetitive movements but it doesn’t impact massively on day-to-day life,” she noted. Conversely, others may “get a really strong emotional reaction – anger, panic or distress – and just can’t filter them out.” In her professional practice, Dr. Gregory typically encounters individuals exhibiting more severe symptoms. A significant number are adults who have lived with misokinesia for many years, while some are adolescents experiencing it for the first time. Andrea, 62, from the UK, reported developing misophonia and misokinesia at age 13, though it remained undiagnosed at that time. An early memory of the condition involves being bothered by a schoolmate picking her nails. She stated, “Most of misokinesia tends to focus around people’s hands – what they are doing with their hands and what they are touching.” She also finds it triggering when people partially cover their mouth with their hand while speaking; she finds it difficult to observe and experiences a sensation of soreness in her own mouth when this occurs. Andrea described the anger she feels as explosive and immediate. “There’s no thought process in it. There’s no rationale. It just explodes inside you, which is why it is so distressing.” She indicated that she has attempted various strategies to manage her condition but is unable to suppress it. Currently, she isolates herself from society, residing alone and working remotely, stating that her entire life is structured to avoid potential distress triggers. Andrea mentioned having many supportive friends who comprehend her need to sometimes adjust her interactions with them. “It’s easier to just withdraw. To try and survive it. You can’t keep asking other people not to do things,” she explained, adding that she does not fault individuals for their fidgeting, recognizing that most actions are unintentional and habitual. Andrea reported that sharing her experiences within a Facebook support group has been genuinely beneficial. Jill, 53, from Kent, is also a member of this group. She stated that her misokinesia causes her heart to race. “Anything can trigger me, from leg bouncing to how someone looks and holds their fork. “I get anger, so much anger.”My heart starts beating too fast. It’s like a fight for flight.” Julie, 54, from Hull, described angst as the primary emotion she experiences due to her misokinesia. “The other day, I was on the bus and there was a lady walking by and both her arms were swinging. I couldn’t take my eyes off it. I was getting really anxious with it, not angry. “It’s silly things like someone is making me a cup of tea and they get the teabag and bounce it up and down, up and down, up and down. Why?” She continued, “Or if someone is sat there wobbling their leg. I can’t take my eyes off it. Or if I do look away, I have to look back to see if they are still doing it.” She informed the BBC that the subsequent unpleasant sensation can persist for hours. “I’m not an angry person. It just makes me feel like there is a ball in my stomach that wants to explode. It’s not anger, it’s feeling really anxious inside.” Julie stated that she is not hesitant to request people cease actions she finds distressing, but typically chooses to leave instead. She conveyed that her misokinesia causes her unhappiness. “It makes me internalise it. I don’t like myself for feeling like this.” Dr. Gregory noted that the condition can be severely debilitating, hindering individuals’ ability to concentrate and perform routine activities. She elaborated, “Part of their brain is constantly thinking about this movement.” She added, “Violent images might pop into their head. They want to grab the person and force them to stop… even though they are not angry in their normal lives.” Regarding the reasons for certain triggers, Dr. Gregory suggested it could stem from a heightened basic survival instinct, akin to a meerkat scanning for danger. She compared the sensation to observing “someone scurrying in the distance” or “tuning into footsteps behind you.” She explained, “For some people, you don’t tune it out again. Your brain is continually monitoring.” She remarked that this constant monitoring is not particularly beneficial in the context of noisy, busy modern life. Persistent triggering can lead to an accumulation of frustration and anger. For some, the habits of strangers are most irritating, while for others, it is those of loved ones. Dr. Gregory indicated that a frequent management strategy involves avoiding visual contact with fidgeting or engaging in self-distraction. Some individuals may also attempt to completely avoid others whenever possible. The expert noted that if a person has only a single, isolated visual trigger, such as hair twirling, reframing therapy can sometimes be employed to assist them in perceiving the situation more positively. “You might look at it deliberately and create a new backstory for why someone is doing that movement,” she explained. This approach can aid in diminishing anger and anxiety, she stated. Dr. Gregory further commented, “A lot of people feel really embarrased or ashamed that they get such strong reactions.” She concluded, “That, itself, can be a problem because suppressing your emotions can intensify them and make them worse.”