stim
Rhythmic self-regulation
Stim is informal for stimulant—a drug that increases alertness and energy: I need a stim to get through this shift.
In neurodivergent communities, stim refers to self-stimulatory behavior like rocking, hand-flapping, or fidgeting, used to regulate sensory input or emotions: Clicking this pen is my favorite stim.
The verb means to engage in such behavior: I was stimming all through the meeting.
Restless minor movements
- rockingOscillating on curved base
- spinningRevolving around an axis
- repetitiveMarked by recurrence
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
calming · self-soothing · regulation · coping · grounding · overwhelm · meltdown · shutdown
Surface tactile quality
- touchPerceiving through physical contact
- pressureForce upon contact
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
- visualOf or concerning sight
auditory · tactile · proprioception · input · seeking · sensitivity · overload · processing
Alertness-boosting drug
- amphetamineCentral nervous system stimulant
- speedRate of motion
- upperShoe part above sole
- caffeineMethylxanthine stimulant compound
energy · focus · crash · jitters · tweaking · wired · buzz · rush
Having atypical brain function
- autisticHaving a developmental neurotype
- ADHDNeurodevelopmental focus impairment
- self-expressionConveying one's inner world
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
acceptance · masking · unmasking · neurodiversity · identity · community · advocacy · accommodation
fidgeting
Restless minor movements
- rockingOscillating on curved base
- spinningRevolving around an axis
- repetitiveMarked by recurrence
soothing · calming · self-soothing · regulation · coping · grounding · overwhelm · meltdown · shutdown · decompression
texture
Surface tactile quality
- touchPerceiving through physical contact
- pressureForce upon contact
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
visual · auditory · tactile · proprioception · input · seeking · sensitivity · overload · processing · integration
stimulant
Alertness-boosting drug
- amphetamineCentral nervous system stimulant
- speedRate of motion
- upperShoe part above sole
caffeine · energy · focus · crash · jitters · tweaking · wired · buzz · rush · comedown
neurodivergent
Having atypical brain function
- autisticHaving a developmental neurotype
- ADHDNeurodevelopmental focus impairment
- self-expressionConveying one's inner world
regulation · acceptance · masking · unmasking · neurodiversity · identity · community · advocacy · accommodation · understanding
tangle
Twisted mass of strands
stimdepressant
Agent that reduces activity
sedative · downer · tranquilizer · hypnotic · barbiturate
stimsedation
Drug-induced calm state
calm · relaxation · drowsiness · lethargy · torpor
stimmasking
Concealing by covering
suppression · stillness · shutdown · withdrawal · dissociation
- electrical stimulationCurrent applied to body
- mental stimulationEngagement of cognitive faculties
- sexual stimulationPhysical acts causing arousal
- ovarian stimulationHormone-induced egg maturation
- stim toyTactile self-regulation device
- sensory stimulationInput activating perceptual systems
stimulate, stimulation, overstimulated, overstimulation, overstimulate, stims, overstimulating, understimulated, restimulate