15/03/2021
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐จ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐จ๐ฆ๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ ?
Restricted repetitive behaviors or stimming (self- stimulatory behaviors) are commonly associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These can be categorized as repetitive movements, hand flapping, fidgeting, or rocking back and forth. These repetitive behaviors can also include fixed routines, hyper-focused interests, or self-harmful behaviors. Although these are frequently seen in those with ASD and are among the earlier signs of autism to emerge, repetitive behaviors are not exclusively to autism, and have been found in patients with numerous neurodevelopmental conditions.
While the pathophysiology of stimming in connection with ASD is not completely clear, behaviorists understand stimming to be associated with relieving anxiety within the child, aiding in the containment of emotions or sensations that may feel overwhelming for the child. Additionally, in situations with intense sensory input, such as bright lights, or noise, a child may stim to help themselves handle these situations. Therefore, it is the belief of behaviorists that stimming act as a way for the child to communicate their current emotional state.
Interestingly, most of us have some form of self-stimulatory behavior that we use to relieve anxiety or calm nerves. We may bite our nails or twirl our hair when we are anxious or uncomfortable. We may inhale and exhale repeatedly in an attempt to recenter ourselves. Oftentimes we are unaware that we are even doing these actions, as we do them subconsciously. In general, however, self-stimulatory behaviors in neurotypical individuals are more subtle, infrequent, and less obvious than those with autism. Most of us can control our stims, whereas those with autism may battle to or may not be able to control stimming in stressful situations. While generally harmless, stimming can interfere with the daily life of a child with autism. It may be disruptive in a school or peer environment. Stims may be destructive to the child, such as repetitive head-banging or excessively scratching or picking at oneโs skin. As such, these behaviors need to be monitored.
Within the field of biomedicine, stimming is understood to be a response to inflammation, whereby the inflammatory process is interfering with the brains normal processing of stimulatory and behavioral pathways. To put it in other words, the brainโs electronics are getting โwetโ, which affects the circuitry. That liquid that is causing the โwetnessโ comes from inflammation. By reducing the inflammation, the brainโs circuitry can begin to function optimally. Therefore, a biomedical approach to dealing with stimming is to target the inflammation by giving anti-inflammatories. Therapies aimed at reducing inflammation and removing any underlying causes/ triggers of inflammation is likely to have a significant impact.