I just became aware that I have been sitting at this desk and my knee has been twitching for some time. Up until now I don’t think I was conscious of doing it.
I know some people who do this all the time, as if they are unable to sit still, or they cross one leg over the other leg, and shake their foot continuously.
What causes this?
I have a secret theory that the continuous repetitive motion releases some neurotransmitters in the brain, but I made that up.
What sort of people are more prone to do this? Anxious people? Hyperactive people? Too much caffeine? Really, who?
I had this problem to the point where it was disabling. I literally could not sit through a business meeting or do even simple things like get a hair cut without going into a panic attack. I had to exercise several hours a day just to wear myself out enough to lay in bed at night. The root cause turned out to be an anxiety disorder and Paxil cleared it right up.
Your half-assed theory actually has some support in scientific research. Research shows that repetitive motion increases the release of seretonin in the brain. This is the same neurotransmitter that Paxil and many other antidepressant/antianxiety drugs work on.
I do it. I do it all the time. In fact when I’m filling out endless website registration forms I always put “Jiggling my knee” under hobbies.
It calms me down and helps me relax and focus, or unfocus, depending on what I need to do. I always thought it was akin to the rocking of a baby’s cot, but during my time in hospital I noticed a large number of severely depressed folk rocking back and forth. Some of their involuntary shuffling was undoubtedly a side-effect of largactil, but I found myself almost unconsciously copying them after some time in their society, and damn if it didn’t make me feel better (I wasn’t on largactil). I’ve even seen it in film of big cats kept in appalling conditions in Eastern European zoos.
A while ago I couldn’t sleep. I started twitching my foot and found myself drifting off almost instantly. It’s great. And free.
I, for one, would like to see this thread continue and expand with additional information. My “bouncing knee” drives my wife crazy, especially as our cheaply-constructed house jiggles in sync with my twitching leg.
Matter of fact, I just realized my knee is bouncing right now, and I wasn’t aware of it until I actually thought about it.
Well, I don’t know if the less-intensive version is what we’re all suffering from, but there apparently is an actual disorder. Check out Restless Legs Syndrome at WebMD.
Every thing I ever read about body language indicates that one “jiggles their foot” due to an unconsious response to desire to flee. which is why you’ll notice people doing it in situations they wish they could get out because they’re bored senseless.