Hi, it's the surgeon here!
Thank you for replying! I have also read the tips in the replies and reblogs:) I will definitely try to move my feet/contract my thighs. My movement is limited as I'm in the operating field, but I can try that. I unfortunately cannot chew gum because the sterile field, but I do chew a lot of gum when I can, I didn't realise that could be a stim (I got in a lot of trouble back in my school days for chewing gum in class, lol).
I will also try the blinking! I don't think this will affect my field of view, but I wonder what my tutors will think... how do I not feel like this when I try to stim and unmask?
As I'm only a resident I'm always afraid of acting in ways that my attendings, professors and other senior doctors don't like, but as I'm going through the process of unmasking, I sometimes can't help it. I am also a woman in a male-dominated feel and that also doesn't help with how my peers look at me.
I am still trying to figure out how to properly stim and unmask during my time at the hospital - so thank you everyone for your help!! I really appreciate it.
Yay I'm glad I could help! And thank you to everyone who also gave advice :)
Yes I figured chewing gum wouldn't be allowed in that environment, but I personally use it as a stim all the time! I love the fruit ones
It can be hard learning to feel comfortable with unmasking, and it's really common to be anxious about it. I definitely haven't figured it all out either, and I often suppress my stims when I'm at work for the same reason. I will say no one has ever commented on my fast blinking, and if anyone does you can tell them your eye is itchy or you had an eyelash.
It can help to surround yourself with people who accept your stimming when you can, or to find others with similar stims (online or off) so you feel less alone.
Learning to unmask in general can be a long process, especially if you're used to high masking for most of your life, so don't feel discouraged if you find it difficult - it will get gradually easier the more you do it :)
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this is a weird question, so to clarify:
things that may be considered "normal" stims:
flapping your hands
bouncing your leg
fidgeting
humming/whistling
other things that you'll think of when you think of a stim
things that may be considered "unusual" stims:
violently (meaning force, not actual violence) shaking your hands out
jumping up and down
self-destructive stims
repeated phrases
other things you don't really think of when you think of a stim
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