Here's why watching someone fidget makes you anxious or angry, according to B.C. research
New University of British Columbia research says if you hate seeing people fidget, you may suffer from a psychological condition called “hatred of movements.”
In a news release sent out on Tuesday, UBC researchers say approximately one-third of the population suffers from the phenomenon also known as misokinesia. It is defined by a strong negative reaction to the sight of someone else’s small and repetitive movements. And the sensitivity increases with age.
“Sufferers are negatively impacted emotionally and experience reactions such as anger, anxiety or frustration,” says study co-lead Todd Handy, UBC psychology professor, in the news release. “They can experience reduced enjoyment in social situations, work and learning environments.”
Handy says he was inspired to study the condition after a romantic partner noticed him fidgeting. She admitted that it caused her a lot of stress to see him or anyone fidget.
In the news release, researchers say the study is the first of its kind on the condition.
“It’s quite an interesting topic to study, particularly since we found so many people are impacted,” reports study co-lead UBC psychology PhD student Sumeet Jaswal.
Jaswal says the study consisted of three parts involving 4,100 participants. She says participants were asked to self-report their reaction to seeing people fidget. If there was a reaction, the emotional and social impacts of the phenomenon were then assessed.
Some of those studied reported pursuing fewer social activities because of the condition, added Handy.
Jaswal says moving forward, the researchers want to explore the “mirror neurons” of those impacted.
“These neurons activate when we move but they also activate when we see others move,” added Jaswal. “That’s where the term ‘mirror’ comes from because we mirror the movements of others in our brain.”
She explains the reason people fidget is because they’re anxious or nervous so when individuals who suffer from misokinesia see someone fidgeting, they may mirror it and feel anxious or nervous as well.
“We are hoping to examine this more closely in our future research as well to see if there’s a genetic component to the sensitivity,” says Jaswal.
The study leads say there is hope for those who are suffering.
“You are not alone. Your challenge is common and it’s real,” says Handy. “Misokinesia is a widely shared phenomenon that no one has ever really talked about. By starting this discussion, there is reason for hope in better understanding and outcomes.”
The study authors created a website for those who want to learn more about misokinesia.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The root cause': Canada outlines national action plan to fight auto theft
The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Prosecution rests in Donald Trump’s hush money case. The defence now gets its turn to call witnesses
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
'Next man up': Canucks coach, teammates bracing for Game 7 without Brock Boeser
Questions about how the team is going to handle the absence of star winger Brock Boeser from a do-or-die game seven dominated pre-game interviews with the Vancouver Canucks coach and players Monday morning.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.