Compulsive humming?

Posted , 4 users are following.

Okay so for years and years I’ve had to listen to my father constantly humming LOUDLY. I hear it through the ways and all around the house and am starting to wonder whether he knows he is doing it and it’s comforting in some way because he stops if you enter the room or if he doesn’t know he’s doing it and it’s ‘subconscious’ without realising how loud he is actually humming. It doesn’t sound like a hum it’s more of a loud groan that is one or two tones and very continuous - Almost of it he does it as he’s breathing out for long periods of time. I have never questioned him about this. He also whistles if he’s not groaning/humming which also drives me up the wall. He does it from the moment he wakes up until he falls asleep at night and it’s driving me insane!! Please can someone advise on how to deal with this or give insight on what it could possibly be? Whether it’s a tic or a type of OCD. I seriously want to move out because of this and it’s embarassing!! 

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1 Reply

  • Posted

    I do exactly what you’re describing! (Apart from the whistling.) I try to do it quietly, so then it sounds more of a “groan”. I think it is some kind of coping mechanism, as when I’m under stress it gets much worse, and people think I’m humming because I’m happy! I’m very self-conscious about it, but find it quite hard to stop. I started some years ago when I was struggling with my life. I suffer with high anxiety issues. I definitely don’t think it’s anything to do with OCD, as I also have this, but in a completely different way.

    I can can understand how annoying it must be for you though.

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