pointless repetitive movements resembling tics?

mine manifests in pointless repetitive movements, a lot of them resembling tics? patterns of hard blinks or eye rolls. certain ways to breathe and swallow. sniffling or scrunching my nose. i know there are tons more but these are some of the more prevalent. been doing this stuff since childhood and i still can't make myself stop so i was wondering if anyone here has advice about controlling this type of compulsion?

i don't know if this is related but i also chew my nails constantly or rock back and forth if i'm sitting? i'm not even aware i'm doing these things unless people point it out to me and i would really like to not anymore.

i know meds can probably help but i don't like the side effects.

Dear sleepyschizoid:

I had tics since I was five or six to this very day, most severely in teenage years, I think, but moderate to severe in my twenties. Still having tics (as well as OCD). My motor tics were many kinds, if a muscle could be moved voluntarily in a tic, I moved it. All possible tics, done. And vocal tics too. As well as OCD compulsions.

To alleviate these, I recommend psychotherapy with a competent, caring, hard working therapist that will include learning and practicing mindfulness skills. By addressing fear, and learning emotional regulation, things get better. Tics are less and so are OCD compulsions.

atina

Yes I have these too. Quite badly and I hate that I can't stop them. Someone on another OCD forum said magnesium tablets help but I am yet to try that.