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Is it a sign of anxiety when you obsessively fold or tear paper in your hands?

Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Dec 28, 2015
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Yes, you are anxious about something when you fold or tear paper in your hands and this is normal for people who have anxiety
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Profile: Ksha97
Ksha97 on Aug 4, 2015
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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
Profile: Oreo
Oreo on Jul 21, 2015
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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.
Profile: Short
Short on Sep 21, 2015
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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
Profile: zealousPerspective38
zealousPerspective38 on Feb 29, 2016
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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.
Profile: graced
graced on Jun 14, 2016
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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.
Profile: SomeoneDumbHere
SomeoneDumbHere on Jul 25, 2017
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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.
Profile: Justcallmyname07
Justcallmyname07 on Jan 11, 2016
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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.
Profile: Blink182andNirvana
Blink182andNirvana on Apr 3, 2015
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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.
Profile: ListeningJ
ListeningJ on May 2, 2015
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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.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on May 15, 2015
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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.
Profile: Rajnin
Rajnin on Jul 11, 2016
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yes, its an obsessive compulsive disorder that a person does to try and deal with the anxiety dealt them.
Profile: OneMomentInHerPresence
OneMomentInHerPresence on Apr 30, 2018
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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.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Jun 6, 2017
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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.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Oct 25, 2016
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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.
Profile: MayMorgan
MayMorgan on Feb 6, 2018
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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.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Apr 10, 2015
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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).
Profile: KindKat00
KindKat00 on Jul 4, 2017
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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.
Profile: lilacskiedd
lilacskiedd on Jan 8, 2018
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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.
Profile: bedesman
bedesman on Mar 14, 2023
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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.
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