Avoiding vulnerability is a common stimming response that ultimately worsens it. Understanding the paradoxical relationship between vulnerability and stimming opens new pathways for recovery.
How Avoiding Vulnerability Maintains Stimming
- Concealing stimming from others prevents the connection that would help
- The energy required to maintain a facade when stimming is high is enormous
- Shame about stimming thrives in secrecy — vulnerability interrupts this
- Authentic expression of stimming often elicits the support that reduces it
Brené Brown's Research Relevance to Stimming
Brown's research shows that people with high levels of shame (common in stimming) avoid vulnerability — which paradoxically increases shame and stimming. Courage to be vulnerable interrupts this cycle.
Practicing Vulnerability with Stimming
Start small: share one authentic feeling with one trusted person. The feared negative response usually doesn't materialize — and when it doesn't, confidence in vulnerability builds.