HumanPotatoOne evening, as I sat with my family at the dinner table, the conversation came to a point where I compared something to “That universal urge to touch lava even though you know it would melt your hands.” At this point, my family informed me, to my great embarrassment, that such an urge is not universal. In an attempt to explain myself, I then suggested the urge to touch lava was related to why one enjoys touching slime*. Once again, my family kindly informed me touching slime was not something everyone enjoys doing.
This conversation started me thinking, why do I enjoy touching slime and why would the idea of feeling lava appeal to me? I realized those are not the only examples of odd things I revel in touching. I like the way warm mud squishes between my toes. I’ll run my hands through bowls of uncooked beans, popcorn, or even beads. I reach out to touch my sister’s hair without even thinking about it and occasionally rub my cheek against things like an affectionate cat.
Why do I enjoy these things? A majority of the above actions are examples of tactile stimming. People with ADHD stim for many reasons. Stimming can be out of boredom, understimulation, or overstimulation , anxiety and even to express happiness1.(Pugle) I think sometimes I touch things because my brain says “Wooh, that looks nice. I wonder it feels?” Other times, touching things helps me ground myself and relieve stress.
In conclusion, I don’t truly want to touch lava. I want to dip my hands in the thick warm fluid that it appears to be. Am I a little weird? Probably. Do I want slime now? Absolutely.
*That is the type of slime one might purchase at the store.
1Pugle, Michelle . “ADHD Stimming: Causes, Types, Treatment.” Verywell Health, 2 May 2023, www.verywellhealth.com/adhd-stimming-5208900#:~:text=ADHD%20stimming%20(self%2Dstimulatory%20behavior. Accessed 9 May 2023.