Holding objects in your hands constantly

by kim
(Albany, KY )

Why would a person have a habit of constantly holding an object such as a paper towel or napkin in their hand?



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Nov 16, 2024
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Grasping
by: Anonymous

I have found myself holding tissues constantly, and now a chapstick tube
Jul 13, 2023
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starstarstarstarstar 		ADHD?
by: Lara

I always wear a crossbody bag just so one of my hands can hold onto it and always have my phone in the other. I hate swinging arms with empty hands, I can't physically do it!
Apr 27, 2023
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starstarstarstarstar 		Security blanket
by: Anonymous

Same as a kid with a security blanket.
Not a disorder. Don't sweat it
Feb 15, 2023
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starstarstarstarstar 		Object holding
by: Anonymous

I am 40 and quite often find myself hold small objects that i find like a penny or small pritty stone/pebble and wont let them go or if i need my hands for something i will put them in my pocket until i can hold them again (i have had 2 small shiny white stones in my pocket/hand all day ) and dont know why i cant just disregard them could it be my adhd/asd
Jan 22, 2023
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starstarstarstarstar 		Kleenex, Kleenex, & More Kleenex
by: VideriQuamEsse

I thought I was alone in the compulsion to always hold something in my hand. With me, I always have a handful of Kleenex clutched in my palm. Why? I couldn’t tell you, except to say that it has a calming effect on me. I usually have more Kleenex stuffed into my shirt pocket. It’s somewhat of a strange compulsion, but I suppose it’s fairly innocuous as compulsions go.
Nov 23, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		Me too
by: Jaime

I’m so glad I’m not the only one that does this! I’m always holding a paper towel in my hand (or fidgeting with my AirPods) especially after eating/washing. I also seem to stuff my pockets with napkins without even noticing. Just glad I’m not the only one.
May 24, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		I think it's anxiety
by: Anonymous

I am diagnosed with extreme anxiety and depression. it might be related, but I don't know. I especially hold a handkerchief in my hand when I go out and take a walk somewhere. back then I only have it with my one hand, but not I want to hold something on both of them. I feel safer everytime I had it. oh, and I also hold my phone with it. So phone and handkerchief. 😂
May 07, 2022
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starstar 		I just looked this up because I do it
by: Jordan (19)

It’s nice to see that a lot of other people do this to because I honestly am the only one that does it within the group of people I see. Yeah I mainly always have a paper towel especially if I’m chilling somewhere because I wash my hands a lot with basically any new setting if I feel called lol
Jan 29, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		Small, thin cylinder shaped objects
by: Anonymous ✨

I’ve learnt that I love holding small, thin cylinder shaped object in my hands constantly (I learnt this through holding a vape, don’t worry I know it’s bad for me and I’ve only ever owned one) but I’m wondering why this is
May 18, 2021
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starstarstarstarstar 		My friend’s dad does this
by: Anonymous

When we were younger my friend’s dad walk with us to school. He liked holding a stick or some sort of object in his hands. I asked my friend and he said " I don’t know he just likes to hold things in his hands when he’s stressed or something" I still don’t know why his dad does this.
Oct 21, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		Bad Habit
by: Anonymous

I am 84 years old and I’ve got a napkin or tissue in my hand at all times. At night I hold the Conner of my pillow. I’ve been doing this for a long time. I need to know why I feel I have to do this.
Aug 17, 2020
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starstarstarstar 		Pin caps
by: Anonymous

I’m 14 and have been holding pin caps,small sticks,and small plastic pieces for all my life.almost everywhere I go I have them in my hands or my pockets but when I’m without Them I feel fine so i don’t know if it’s an disorder,addiction Or what. Just seein if anyone else has this problem
Oct 24, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Holding Tissues
by: Robert

When I feel stressed or anxious I reflexively reach for tissues. Holding a handful of tissues seems to have a calming effect on me. I also find it hard to fall asleep at night if I don’t have tissues in my hand. I suppose it’s a fairly innocuous habit, but people have noticed it and have asked me about it. I wonder if this habit of mine is indicative of a sensory processing disorder.
Oct 15, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		23 years old
by: Anonymous

I've had a problem with twisting my hair for roughly a year. When I'm home I've worn two handkerchiefs around my hair with temporary relief. I recently discovered that once I get into the habit of holding a tube of chapstick in my hand I can break the hair twisting habit, which I find to be a fair trade. I wish I discovered this earlier as I now look forward to having sane evenly grown hair. With hindsight, I should've gotten help but didn't because I kept telling myself that I would break the habit soon.
Apr 11, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Anxiety
by: Joshua Allison

Restlessness - Sometimes anxiety can cause your hands to simply feel restless. Some people feel they need to put something in their hands; others feel they need to do something in their hands. ... This is likely due to the combination of muscle tension and dehydration that is common in those with anxiety.
May 31, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		25 years old
by: Anonymous

My boyfriend of 3 yrs always has something in his hands. It's either his vape or his phone or he is twirling his hair or while he sleeps its himself constantly holding something at all times. He is 25 yrs old and is manic depressive times 2.
Jan 22, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		Lighter
by: Carter

I always seem to have a lighter in my hand and even fall a sleep with one. Whenever one of my friends need to use a lighter they just put their hand out toward me cause they always know I have one in my hand 95% of time.

I really would like to know if this is some type of disorder cause I have never been diagnosed with ADDH or ADHD
Aug 05, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		ADDH, Sensory Disorder or both??
by: Anonymous

Everytime my grandson came over he would hold this toy, plastic sword in his ✋. This has been since he was a young child.

The sword broke and he would still hold it or have it near him. Than the sword broke a third time and instead of holding what was left he started holding pencils.

Now I find pencils all over the house that he's been holding on his visits. He doesn't always have them in his hand but they're near him.

He was diagnosed with ADDH is this a symptom of that or is this Sensory Disorder another issue?

He's 161/2 now and wondered what the sword deal was about. He hasn't mentioned the pencils.
Feb 22, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		holding small objects
by: Anonymous

yes my son has ISSUES OF HOLDING SMALL OBJECTS IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND HE STATES ITS A NEED IT MAKES HIM COMFORTABLE OR CONVENIENCE ON WHAT HE IS DOING AT THAT TIME . IT EVEN CAN BE A PENCIL FLICKING IT BACK FORWARD WHILE HE IS DOING HOMEWORK OR JUST READING ..... HE EVEN HAS A ISSUE OF PIKING UP THINGS THAT ARE SOME TO FIT IN HIS HAND .......
Dec 17, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Hugs
by: Anonymous

Ummm I am 14 and I have the urge to be held or hug something it feels like I am empty when I don't, and I get a strange aching pressure in my arms when I don't. It is sort of like teething hurts when you don't chew on something, feels better when you do.
May 30, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Holding things
by: Anonymous

I always hold a pen or pencil all day and fall asleep and wake up with it in my hand and I can't considerate if I don't have something in my hands to fiddle with this is really strange . When I tell my mum and step dad about it they just say I'm being ridiculous .
Mar 27, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Hold something
by: Elizabeth

I have had times where I will hold something for days. First time was a quartz crystal in the 5th grade. I held it for acouple of weeks. When I was older maybe 20, I held a small plastic toy orange for a couple weeks. If I find something that feels good and fits into my hand "perfectly" I want to hold it for a long time. Makes me feel better to have it when I sleep and still be holding it when I wake up. I know I have sensory issues and have been told I have aspergers. I'm 25 now and recently found a very nice rock that cradles my fingers and thumb. Usually when I accidentally put it down is when it stops then it's not an ongoing thing. Idk
Jul 05, 2015
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starstar 		Holding a towel
by: Anonymous

My toddler has 6yrs she loves to hold towel when she sleep and even if she is watching tv she hold the towel, i want to know what it means.
Feb 24, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Holding a toy
by: Anonymous

My 6 year old daughter was given a soft toy to hold in class to help her concentrate. What does this mean?
Nov 20, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		holding objects
by: lisa

I am 51 years of age...I always have a habit on holding anything that fits in the palm of my hand that feels cold, still do it...I like to put tight things on my fingers..like a bolt..that can fit over my finger...I don't do that all the time..its just weird...I would like to have some idea...why
Nov 06, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		i am 31 and still hold something- all the time.
by: Kirk

i am 31 and still hold something- all the time. from the second I was born I twisted my front hairs on my head, until I started going bald a few years back.I mostly hold 2 pens these days, plenty of spares nearby, or if I am out somewhere I will hold my debit card and my I. d. or a lighter, if no 2 pens. I still don't know what is wrong with me,but I function fine, notsure why parents are so concerned when kids are doing so much worse shit all the time. but I am a little curious, but to the parents of people like me, I wouldn't trip .
Jul 02, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		i need to know why my son holds unto a particular toy all day
by: ladysignor

my son is 2yrs, he has been holding things since he was a baby. recently he loves to hold a toy Bart( table tennis bart), he holds it to bath, eat, watch tv and sleep and even to school. when he wakes up, that is the first thing he ask for. he relates well with other kids and he can make some few sentences. i hope that someday he will out grow this habit. but i need to know why he holds unto a particular toy all day.
Mar 05, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Need Sensory Diet for object holding
by: Adrienne

My son has always held something in his hand. He has gone from a train to tooth brush to straws. I have looked through many of the activities for a sensory diet, but, I have not Found anything to help this need to have something touching his hand. Please give me a professional idea.
Feb 21, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Trying to help my nephew
by: Anonymous

I have a nephew who is 4 and he is really behind in development. He does not speak in sentences or hold conversations. He becomes very violent to people for little reason, often hitting anyone he can even total strangers. A normal task he will not even attempt to do, for example, he will not bring a toy to you or any object for that matter. He also does not play well with other kids and he must at all time have a little toy in his hand. When going into a store his parent have given up and just let him take it with him. They would try to take it from him but he would throw a fit till he got it back. He also barley eats anything only certain things and never tries anything new. He can not walk up or down stairs without becoming afraid and has to be carried he is very afraid of animals such as cats and dogs. I worry that he has some severe issues. He recently failed a preschool screening because he refused to do the tasks asked. I feel like he may have autism or some sensory issues. Do any of the thing i described fit into autism?
Dec 26, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Dad keeps
by: Anonymous

At the age of 81, our dad is constantly holding a rag or napkin in his hand. Its been going on for many years, and he gets very angry if we suggest he let go of it, even for a moment. What is that about, since he does not exhibit any of the other symptoms described in SPD?
Sep 21, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Why do ASD children hold objects in one hand
by: Lizzie

I have observed children holding things in one hand many years. Sometimes if the hand holding the object was put under a table they became unaware of it being held. Most of these children are diagnosed somewhere - usually to the more able - end of the autistic spectrum. I wonder if holding an object allows the opposite hemisphere to concentrate better on other tasks. I also wonder if anyone has studied if these children do more with their left rather than their right hand?
May 24, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		holding something
by: Sandee

My son is 10yo and he has been holding something for 8 years, it varies in weight and what he thinks he needs to hold. lately it is a measuring tape while sitting watching tv or riding in car. he tells us he needs it! if he does not have something he will have a meltdown so i have a few extras just in case. i have never seen another child do this, but i do think it is sensory/autism type behavior.
Sandee
May 20, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		More info
by: Anonymous

He hold something, anything, in each hand at all times of the day. Unless it's a transportation vehicle, he doesn't object too much if it's taken away. But he'll always try to replace the object that's been taken away with another. SPD diagnosis. But is that accurate? Thanks!!!
May 19, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Object Holding
by: Anonymous

My 3-year-old son, diagnosed with SPD, has held an object an each hand since he was a baby. Since he turned 2.5 or so, he's more willing to release the objects for an activity such as school or therapy. But I don't dare take the objects away when he's watching TV or doing another sedentary activity. I often wonder if this is a symptom of SPD, ASD, or OCD.
May 11, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		depends
by: Anonymous

on the age, how long they hold on to it for, is this an all day thing? Do they already have a diagnosis??
We need more info, kim

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