9 Reasons Why You or Someone You Know Rocks Back and Forth

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Mental disorders and situations that cause rocking behavior
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Rocking back and forth is a normal behavior that helps you cope in stressful situations. [1] You may notice yourself rocking when you feel anxious [2] , nervous, or fearful. This is a common reaction—your body is trying to ease your worries! [3] Even so, there are a few things to keep in mind if you find yourself rocking more so than usual. Keep reading to learn why people rock back and forth and what mental illnesses it may be a symptom of.

Things You Should Know

  • Rocking back and forth is a perfectly normal and harmless self-soothing behavior that’s often a reaction to stressful [4] or overstimulating environments.
  • If you have a mental disorder (like anxiety, depression, or ADHD), you may be more prone to rocking.
  • If you want to cut back on rocking, use other self-soothing techniques and talk to a therapist.
  • It's okay to keep rocking if you like doing it. Advocate for yourself if people are confused or judgmental.
Section 1 of 4:

Why do people rock back and forth?

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  1. The pendulum-like motion is a way to soothe one’s self. Most people don’t even realize they’re rocking—it’s a subconscious action. [5] You might find yourself or others rocking to and fro in stressful or upsetting situations. [6] The rocking may happen when you’re sitting down or standing up. Basically, it’s a coping mechanism to help regulate your nervous system, ease your emotions, and provide comfort. [7] [8]
    • Similarly, this is why people rock their babies when they’re upset. Studies show that a back-and-forth motion helps stimulate vestibular senses, helping the brain manage pain and stress. [9]
    • Think of rocking back and forth like a hug. The motion cradles you and makes you feel calm in even the most tense situations.
    • Rocking behavior is linked to feelings of stress, anxiety, and fear, and isn’t always a sign of mental illness. Even so, if you notice yourself rocking more than usual, it may be a sign to ask yourself how you feel inside and out.
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Section 2 of 4:

What conditions cause rocking back and forth?

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  1. If you have ADD or ADHD, you’re more prone to fidgeting and may rock back and forth to regulate your emotions. Being in an overstimulating environment can be distracting for you, and rocking can help you feel calm. [10]
  2. If you’re struggling with addiction, you might be more likely to sway back and forth to ease jitters caused by drugs. For instance, if you’re addicted to methamphetamines, you may rock uncontrollably as erratic movements are often a side effect of meth. This symptom can persist throughout recovery as your body learns to function without the drug. [11]
  3. If you have anxiety, you may rock back and forth to ease your fears. Your anxiety may make it difficult to concentrate, and some believe that rocking can help you focus. Along with this, rocking has been proven to be a self-soothing technique, which can help ease your thoughts in fearful or disorienting situations. [12]
  4. If you’re on the autism spectrum, you may rock back and forth to soothe yourself. This behavior is called stimming (a self-stimulating, repetitive behavior used to block out or gain sensory input). You might rock, flap your hands, or spin to feel more involved or grounded in your environment. [13]
    • Stimming is an important tool for self-regulation in autistic people. [14] [15] It can help manage emotions and reduce overwhelm.
  5. If you have bipolar disorder, you may be more prone to rocking. Bipolar disorder causes bursts of extreme happiness and sadness. During a depressive episode, you may feel agitated and restless. Because of this, you might start rocking back and forth to help soothe yourself. [16]
  6. If you struggle with depression, you might be rocking more often than most. Persistent feelings of sadness can put stress on your body, and rocking can be your body’s coping mechanism. [17]
  7. If you have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you could be rocking out of habit. The compulsion or need to rock back and forth is grand and may even become an obsession. The rocking might start as a reaction to a separate compulsive thought or fear before becoming its own. [18]
  8. If you have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you may be more prone to rocking. You’ve likely experienced something traumatic and may struggle with flashbacks or nightmares because of it. Rocking back and forth maybe your body’s way to cope and calm anxieties, nerves, and fears. [19]
  9. If you have schizophrenia, you may rock back and forth more often than most. You may be out of touch with reality and experience upsetting emotions or illusions. The repetitive motion of rocking back and forth may help you cope with dissociative feelings. [20]
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Section 3 of 4:

Cutting back

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  1. Some people may want to cut back on rocking due to social stigma, internalized ableism, or another concern.
    • In autistic people, cutting back on rocking may be harmful. Autistic masking, the practice of trying to suppress autistic traits and mimic non-autistics, can be seriously harmful to mental health and wellbeing. [21] [22] [23] Practicing self-acceptance is likely to be healthier.
  2. If you’re rocking back and forth because you’re stressed or anxious, try using other coping mechanisms to help ease your worries. Here are some great techniques you can try:
    • Take a few slow deep breaths. Breathe in for a count of 4, then exhale for a count of 4. [24]
    • Picture a white light on the top of your head. Then, imagine this light traveling down throughout your body, washing away any and all stress.
    • Focus on 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. [25]
    • Spend a few minutes sitting with your pet (if you have one). Pet their coat and focus on their unique markings. [26]
    • If you stim, try using a variety of stim toys to provide sensory input.
  3. Maybe you tend to rock when you feel overstimulated, anxious, or confused. See if you can work on self-care and ways to handle these stressors so they have less of an impact on you.
    • For example, if you get overstimulated easily, you might try strategies like noise-canceling headphones, earplugs, hoodies, or other things that help you block out overwhelming input.
  4. Find ways to get good exercise (even just a neighborhood walk) so your body has time to move.
    • Some people may enjoy the repetitive movement of swinging on a swing.
  5. There’s nothing wrong with seeking extra guidance, especially if you’re struggling mentally. A therapist can offer you personal advice as to why you might be rocking and be able to provide individualized care.
    • Look into online therapy platforms to get help just about anywhere! Talkspace and Brightside are excellent resources that provide online therapy at affordable prices.
    • In some cases, a therapist may recommend seeing a psychiatrist so you can receive medication to help ease mental health symptoms related to anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, etc. [27]
    EXPERT TIP

    Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS

    Clinical Psychologist
    Dr. Asa Don Brown is a Clinical Psychologist with over 30 years of experience. He specializes in working with families, children, and couples; while treating a variety of psychological disorders, trauma, and abuse. Dr. Brown has specialized in negotiation and profiling. As a prolific author, Dr. Brown has published four books; contributed to multiple other books; published 500+ articles in professional and popular magazines, journals, and peer-reviewed publications; and has recently published a number of creative and literary works. Dr. Brown earned a BS in Theology and Religion with a minor in Marketing and an MS in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family from The University of Great Falls. He has also received a Master of Liberal Arts from Harvard University. Furthermore, he received a PhD in Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Psychology from Capella University.
    Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS
    Clinical Psychologist

    Rocking back and forth can naturally help us feel calmer. When stressed or uncomfortable, rocking releases endorphins, which ease pain and boost mood. This common, unconscious behavior demonstrates the body's built-in mechanisms for self-soothing. By decreasing stress and increasing comfort, rocking helps us regulate emotions during times of distress.

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Section 4 of 4:

Practicing self-care and self-advocacy

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  1. Some people learn to be ashamed of the things that make them different, especially if they are neurodivergent . But this isn't helpful. Rocking is not a bad thing.
    • Just because people may judge you doesn't mean you deserve judgment.
  2. If you like rocking back and forth and/or it's an important coping mechanism for you, don't feel like you have to stop.
  3. It isn't wrong to move your body in ways that help you stay comfortable. Distance yourself from people who try to make you feel bad about yourself.
  4. Some people are willing to accept unique behavior if you give a quick, polite explanation. Here are some examples of things you can say:
    • "This helps me think better and pay attention."
    • "I like rocking."
    • "My IEP says I'm allowed to rock as much as I need to."
    • "I know I'm eccentric, but this helps me feel better."
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    Can you be diagnosed with more than one mental illness
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    Yes. In fact, some metal illnesses increase your likelihood of other ones (in specific situations). However, some with overlapping symptoms make it much harder to diagnose either because it is harder to tell what caused what.
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      • Neurological disorders, such as Tourette’s syndrome and Parkinson’s disease, can also cause rocking behavior. In these cases, swaying back and forth is likely triggered by an uncontrollable neurological reaction rather than an emotion.
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about human behavior, check out our in-depth interview with Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS .

      References

      1. ↑ Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS. Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS. Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS. Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview
      4. ↑ Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS. Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview
      5. ↑ Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS. Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview
      6. ↑ Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS. Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview
      7. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4035568/
      8. ↑ Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS. Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview
      9. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8393990/
      1. ↑ https://add.org/stimming-adhd/
      2. ↑ https://americanaddictioncenters.org/meth-treatment/signs-symptoms
      3. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961
      4. ↑ https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/stimming/all-audiences
      5. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6728747/
      6. ↑ https://www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/stimming-therapeutic-autistic-people-deserves-acceptance/?fspec=1
      7. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955
      8. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007
      9. ↑ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd
      10. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967
      11. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354443
      12. ↑ https://karger.com/hde/article/66/2/113/828423/Conceptualising-Autistic-Masking-Camouflaging-and
      13. ↑ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-017-3166-5
      14. ↑ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-019-04323-3
      15. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-empaths-survival-guide/201810/self-soothing-strategies-8-ways-to-calm-anxiety-and-stress
      16. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/behavioral-health-partners/bhp-blog/april-2018/5-4-3-2-1-coping-technique-for-anxiety.aspx
      17. ↑ https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2020/04/8-soothing-techniques-to-help-relieve-anxiety
      18. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001548.htm

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