Is it a sign of anxiety when you obsessively fold or tear paper in your hands?
28 Answers
Last Updated: 06/29/2023 at 1:38pm
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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
December 28th, 2015 12:17pm
Yes, you are anxious about something when you fold or tear paper in your hands and this is normal for people who have anxiety
No it is a sign that we can't express our anger , and we are just fed up with fake smile, people talking behind our back, failures and all
It's a sign of compulsive behavior, which may be a symptom of anxiety, or of another form of psychological disorder. It may be a type of stimming (a repetitive movement that one uses to calm oneself), or just a mannerism. It really depends on the onset of the manifestation of this symptom.
This could mean a lot of things, actually. It could mean that you have an attention disorder, and need to do something with your hands to focus. It could mean that you have ocd, or anxiety. Because folding and tearing paper by itself doesn't really mean anything, it is hard to tell if this is a sign of any problem
Anxiety works differently for different people. It may be a form of anxiety or it may just be a habit. Don't over think every little thing you do or you will drive yourself crazy.
It can be, yes. Fidgeting with anxiety can be a good coping. I've been known to do it quite a bit. it can help a little bit.
I have anxiety but I have been ripping clothes and I do not understand why I just have urge too, and I do not understand why I do it most of the times, it hasn't when I have been on medication but now I'm off and I just have the urge too like ripping paper or just ripping something random up.
It could very well be a sign of anxiety, yes. It could also be a nervous tick, a symptom of countless disorders revolved around Obsessive compulsiveness or anxiety. All things mentioned should be treated by a Behavioral health professional so that you can get the medical support you may need.
It could be a sign of anxiety but it may be boredom. My boyfriend folds paper constantly just because he needs something to do with his hands. But going on that alone, it is not a sign unless you are experiencing other symptoms.
Im not entirely sure whether it is or not, but I have anxiety and I always get in trouble in school for shredding my books apart. It may just be something like minor restless leg syndrome, but you may be on to something here. I wouldnt rule it out.
Anonymous
May 15th, 2015 11:56am
It doesn't necessarily have to be a sign of anxiety, but it can be. Anxiety is more of a feeling you have. Obsessively folding or tearing papers can also be a sign of OCD or many other things.
If you do this when you are feeling stressed and the folding and tearing of paper is a coping mechanism or it helps you calm down, then it does sound like you are anxious.
yes, its an obsessive compulsive disorder that a person does to try and deal with the anxiety dealt them.
Anonymous
June 6th, 2017 1:59am
Its not always a symptom of a disorder. You could just be feeling anxious or stressed at that time. It also could just be a small habit that you just do for no reason.
It could be a sign of anxiety or stress, which are very similar, but it an be a sign of anxiousness. Or the person might just be uncomfortable with h the situation.
Anonymous
October 25th, 2016 8:57pm
There are many signs of anxiety. These are some of the more common signs , yes. If you think you have anxiety , the best thing to do is to ask your doctor about it. Maybe bring this up at your next appointment. Your doctor will be able to tell you.
not necessarily, honestly it could just be a little habit, like someone checking their phone more than needed. it isn't considered anxiety, technically, it's simply just, a habit. unless accompanied by other components of anxiety.
Anonymous
April 10th, 2015 6:51pm
yes if you are trembling your hands and don't know you are quite heaviness nervous that is what anxiety is about and moreover breathless, and more severe anxiety it can cause your heart rate increase and a lot of things can be taken in account as i have that currently so...can get tablets, or have a therapy with professional people and get yourself into a class with getting help with anxiety and its like group of people or seek organisations mostly can be referred yourself or through your GP (doctor).
Anxiety can be seen and done in many ways. Such as fidgeting to sitting alone and isolation. The best thing for you to do would to contact a counselor and they can better help you asses your specific habits.
It depends on the environment where it happens. If the activity occurs in public then it is ,otherwise it isn't!
It could be, yes. It could also be a sign of something else, or simply a habit. You would need to take many other factors in to consideration. If you would like to learn more about anxiety, check out the 7 Cups anxiety guide.
Depends. If it's compulsive as well as obsessive, then it's possible you have OCD (which can have anxiety-like symptoms, as well as it's own). Otherwise, it may just be a way to calm yourself down. I always count by fours to calm myself down, and I can only do fours. Anything else won't work. But I don't have OCD; it's just a coping mechanism. It's because mine isn't necessarily obsessive and compulsive; it's just my preferred coping mechanism. So it depends on whether it's obsessive AND compulsive.
Anonymous
May 24th, 2015 6:38pm
It can be a sign. If it happens in triggering situations. While having anxiety attacks you might try to cope with it and try to relax and while some People are doing breath Training you could be fold or tear paper.
For me, fidgeting can be a sign of anxiety, but usually its more of a way for me to manage and/or cope with the anxiety. I may doodle, move my leg repeatedly, click a pen, fold/tear paper, scratch my head or any other number of things to release the excess energy. Sometimes these behaviors are a signal to me that I need to get up and move. Going on a brisk walk or jog or even channeling that energy into something like heavy cleaning (scrubbing, vacuuming, sorting/organizing) can relieve my anxiety but also give my body a workout to actually calm me down.
My dad did this. Initially he began collecting small papers, particularly common napkins. he would fold them and place them in every pocket and drawer. He had always been a 'neat freak' but this was beyond the norm. I believe he was coping with the fact that he was succumbing to his cancer illness and sensed his own mortality. His anxiety perhaps balanced his helplessness. It's a very difficult situation no matter how you look at it. What is most important is that they feel they are not alone and are as comfortable as can be. Be strong in the face of this.
Anonymous
June 13th, 2016 10:47pm
Yes. but it is also a sign on OCD it depends on how you feel. if you need to do it then it is ocd and if you feel like you need to do it but know you dont ned it to live then it is anxiety
Anonymous
June 18th, 2015 4:25am
Or even OCD. So it can be or itcan be something else. thats all depends why it happens, how often and such.
Personally, I think it could mean way too many things and no one here can tell you unless they are a professional and they dig deeper on why you do it, in which circumstances, etc. It could be your way to relax, it could be your way to cope. We do not know you so we can not really jump to conclusion. I personally have been diagnosed with anxiety but I never fold and/or tear paper, while many other people might. So, in conclusion, I feel like it is a very personal thing and no one but a professional can tell you if you have anxiety or not.
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