[ Home | FAQ-Related Q&As | General Q&As | Answered Questions ]

Search the Q&A Archives

...thumb or finger sucking mean in adults?

Answer by Anon
Submitted on 2/13/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
If you are a closet adult thumb sucker. Don't worry there are many of us out there. I 28 and expecting my first child and desperatley trying to stop. I was never made to stop as a child and hence still do it in private. Although I am getting much better now I am making an effort to stop before the baby is born in September. Many adult thumb suckers are very comfortable with the fact that they still do it. But I do think that by now I should have got my act together and stopped years ago. I have been talking with a lady who is 46 and has stucked their thumb all her life. She is very happy her husband and her adult childern know. Although she wouldn't let them suck their thumbs. In summary if you still do this don't worry as long as you are happy.

Answer by Catamanda21
Submitted on 5/2/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I am 18 years old, in college, and am still sucking my thumb. My family has pressured me my whole life about sucking. My mother used to ask me if I wanted to be 16 and driving around w/ my thumb in my mouth. I told her it didn't bother me, I mean it was better than smoking. To be honest, I have no motive to quit. Recently, I did an experiment testing the effect of thumb-sucking on my heart rate. Every time I put my thumb in my mouth my heart rate would lower by 10 beats/min. So obviously thumb-sucking is benefiting me some how. However, it's not something I want to continue for the rest of my life. I find myself doing it less around people that are stable and that I am comfortable around, so perhaps I will quit when I am around more people I can trust.

Answer by sum1cool
Submitted on 6/27/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I have a 17 year old daughter that sucks her thumb all the time while shes at home, it drives me mad. At work we have had a person working part time since she was 15 she is now 20 years old and wants a full time job. I was about to give her a full time job but have discovered that she also sucks her thumb now I have discovered this she no longer tries to hide it. I dont think I can stand being at home watching my daughter making her self look stupid and making her teeth stick out,then going into work and watching this new girl doing it as well! It seems that people who suck their thumbs can stop if they want, otherwise how could they keep it a secret? My veiw is that thumb suckers can stop if they want but they choose not too. Often they think that they have a special problem which is something medical, however could it be that they just need to grow up for their own sake?

Answer by Shayde
Submitted on 7/1/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I am a 35 year old wife and mother and have been a thumb sucker my whole life. My parent's tried the Tabasco on the nails thing, telling me to take it out for quite a while when I was growing up but eventually I think they let it go as "either she'll quit or she won't". Well I never did. :) I find it very relaxing and comforting. Also it is a VERY old habit and those are the hardest to break. I do hide it from everyone but my close family members because it can be cause for ridicule. It makes me sad to see the mother who can't accept her child the way she is. What is the big deal?? To say she looks "stupid" is just mean. People can live completely normal and happy lives and suck their thumb. I am proof of that!

Answer by muffinman
Submitted on 7/4/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I am a 40 year old male and I have been sucking my left thumb since birth. I suck my thumb when I drive, watch tv, and go to bed. It is very calming to me. People around me have no clue that I do this. My ex wife of 13 years has caught me sleeping with my thumb in my mouth, but found it to be "cute" and just let it go. My children ages 8 and 4 see me do it but never say anything. Both of them never sucked their thumbs. I lived at colleges for 4 years, plus I was out of the country for nine months and in my life have had many roomates, girlfriends and have rarely been caught. I am glad there are others like me who just need the relaxing feeling. I don't smoke or drink to feel calm, but the thumb sucking really calms me down when I am stressed. I always thought I had the worlds record on this but I guess not.

Answer by NJ1
Submitted on 7/9/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I'm 34 years old, a wife, mother, and college administrator. I've been sucking my thumb all my life, despite all of my parents' efforts to get me to stop. They know I still do it, as does my husband, and probably my daughter. I do it before I go to sleep, while watching TV, while driving, and even at work (secretly). I do have a vague fear that someone will see me at work or in the car, but it doesn't stop me. It is a habit, and I've tried to break it, but like others here have said -- I don't drink, smoke, do drugs, or have any other bad habits. It hurts no one except maybe my teeth, but even that is not noticeable. I am glad to see I'm not the only one out there who does this. I'm not overly proud of the fact that I suck my thumb, and am not going to advocate for adult thumb suckers (can you imagine a "Thumb Sucking Pride Parade"?), but I've decided to just accept this as part of who I am.

Answer by Rather not say
Submitted on 8/9/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm a 28 year old woman who's brother in law sucks his thumb. I find this incredibly irritating!!! Not only does he suck his thumb bu he also picks at his body constantly. He has a callous on his wrist bone from constantly dragging his fingernail over it while he sucks his thumb. He picks at his arms, back, and face and gets annoyed with my husband if he asks him to stop. He is 28 years old and in many ways acts like a child, even though he's (supposedly) completely normal mentally. I find it EXTREMELY irritating when he is in my house and sucks his thumb. I am mortified when we are out in public with him and he does it (Driving, restaurants, movies, you name it). It's like someone masturbating in front of you! Sure if you are an adult thumbsucker and you want to keep doing it, go ahead! You can masturbate too if you want, or even pick your nose.. BUT DON'T DO IT IN FRONT OF ME!! If it was my husband, fine... but it's not. Why this man doesn't realize how much it freaks people around him out and makes them uncomfortable I'll NEVER KNOW! aaah, I really needed that vent, sorry. He's staying with us for two weeks and I am at my wits end because I don't feel like it's my place to say anything to him (judging by how irritated he gets with my husband when HE does) So I just have to sit there and keep it to myself, I'm boiling inside!

Answer by 15 years old
Submitted on 8/9/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 15 years old...when I was little I never used to suck my thumb, and I started when I was 3 or 4. I have kept the habit and I have needed so much done to my teeth (i needed a perminent retainer 'glued' to the top of my mouth so it woudln't start to change shape) my jaw started to point forward, so I had to get a thing inserted at the top of my mouth where the permenant retainer was and had to turn it with a key 2 times a day which would widen my jaw. I have had braces for 2 years now, and now I need elastics because of my cross bite. I don't know how to stop the habbit. I wan't to but I don't feel right if I dont suck my thumb. I do it in private only because I get yelled at if I do it in front of my family, and I don't do it around people because I don't feel right, I don't care if they know though..and I scratch the bridge of my nose, and my upper lip.

Answer by Markus
Submitted on 8/29/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I've unfortunately sucked my thumb all my life, and I'm 23. I mostly suck my thumb with my pillow or the edge of my shirts. You can even tell the difference between my left (sucking thumb) and my right, if you look close enough. I think the roof of my mouth, and my teeth have kind of shaped to my thumb too. But, it's not noticeable at all. I have been known to put my full thumb in my mouth. Sometimes, I feel I have to hide my thumb in my hand or pocket, thinking people at work or college might notice. No one really has noticed, or at least, said anything. So, I don't hide my thumb as much as I used to. I have constantly, since the age of 12, tried to stop, and have given up constantly. I feel I can't control it. I'm embarrassed to do it in public. It's really a comfort thing that I do behind closed doors. Though, I think it may take up time; as, even when I'm at the computer doing work or such, I suck my thumb. I even caught myself doing it now. The biggest thing is, I have so much trouble going to sleep if I don't suck my thumb. It takes me longer to drift off. I have successfully done it in the past around friends and relatives, but I wake up with a dry mouth then. Also, I sometimes wake up in the morning or middle of the night because of it, only to suck my thumb, or find my thumb in my mouth. I think, for me, it's a combination of stress, comfort, habit, and maybe even my quiet/shy? personality. Maybe even the fact that I'm an artist? I don't know. Which together is a hard thing to break. I think I want to try harder now, because I feel it takes up too much of my personal and time, when I can actually be doing something useful, other than hiding behind my thumb. I'm surprised to see that even some marines have admitted to this habit. I am sure that it has to do with both stress and habit then. So it can be beaten.

Answer by Ginger
Submitted on 9/8/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am a 39 year old woman with two children 4 and 6 mos. I have sucked my thumb my entire life and cannot believe I am actually writing it for others to read. I have kept it from everyone I know, but have been caught by my husband and my 4 year old. My husband never said anything about it and my 4 year old just looked at me so astonished that her mom sucked her thumb too! Her teacher tries really hard to get her to quit by telling her big girls don't do that, the germ thing etc. I haven't had to explain why mommy does it, it just feels kind of natural and she feels at ease too. She does ask me,"Mommy can I put my thumb in my mouth?", and I say, "Will it make you feel better?" and she says,"yes" so I say, "okay then." I guess thats why I do it too. Sucking my thumb has always been something I have been deeply ashamed of (or have been programed to feel ashamed) I have always used it as a coping mechanism when I get overly stressed. It is like deep breathing,but in half the time. The focus is on the enjoyment of sucking your finger or thumb and everything else just seems to melt away. I do have concerns about my teeth moving a bit, and hate to go to the dentist because I know they have to KNOW...I have often thought about being an old woman with grandchildren and still sucking my thumb, I shake my head, but the comfort outweighs the desire to quit. I applaud all who live with being an adult thumb sucker and thank you for sharing your stories

Answer by kayleigh
Submitted on 9/15/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Quote: ""It seems that people who suck their thumbs can stop if they want, otherwise how could they keep it a secret? My view is that thumb suckers can stop if they want but they choose not too. Often they think that they have a special problem which is something medical, however could it be that they just need to grow up for their own sake?"" I'm 19 and have sucked my thumb since i was born. Everyone knows why babies suck their thumbs; infants are instinctively born with the need to suck, if the mum isn't around for food then babies suck their thumbs as a means of soothing themselves. Most people grow out of it, but some don't, that's just the way it goes. It rarely signifies any psychological problem, it is just a habit, that like all habits is hard to break, especially if it has been done since birth. Anyone who sucks their thumb can verify that it is not an easy habit to give up. I've sucked my thumb for so long that it is something my brain and subconscious has been conditioned into. Often i'llfind myself sucking my thumb with no memory of putting it in my mouth. I just instinctively do it when triggers like TV or stress are around. People who say that it can just be stopped obviosuly have no real knowledge in the area of habits. When you are born, your brain is still growing and you are conditioned by stimuli's' around you. Classical condition is a term used to describe how infants are conditioned into behaviour by being rewarded. In the case of sucking your thumb, you are rewarded with feeling calm and soothed. If it continues it is jsut being reinforced each time, until eventually it had been programmed into the brain, on a subconscious level. If the habit is really ingrained, it therefore makes it nigh impossible to stop via jsut your own willpower. Things like conditioing therapy can be used to retrain the brain into disassociating thumb sucking with whatever triggers or rewards surround the habit.

Answer by kitykat
Submitted on 9/16/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 25 years old and I have been sucking my thumb all my life. I tried to quit when i was 10, and was only sucking once a day, before i went to bed. But when i saw my cousin, who is a thumbaholic, i picked it up too. It was like watching someone drinking or smoking, when you are trying to quit. My husband knows about it, and my family still yells and scold me, but i have realized that i don't want it to go away. it relaxes me, it comforts me, i feel serene and happy. When i cry, that soothes me, when i am sick, it makes the pain go away, when its bed time, its like a lullaby for my subconscious. I wont say i am proud of sucking my thumb, but i accept it and it keeps me happy. If we look stupid (which i will agree is just plain mean), just imagine how stupid a grown adult looks after getting trashed, or getting high. They are harming themselves physically and are a danger to others as well. Thumb sucking only affect one person, me, and i love it.

Answer by gloria
Submitted on 9/20/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm 26 years old and have sucked my thumb all my life! As a kid I used to suck my thumb and tickle mine and other people's ears in public. My parents tried so hard to get me to stop but eventually gave up, though they did succeed in making me stop tickling others ears and sucking my thumb in public. As a matter of fact, tonight for the 1st time in a very long time, my mom said something to me about quiting. I rudely replied "don't even try it, its never going to happen!!" My mom laughed and accepted it like she always does!! (thanks mom and dad, for accepting your thumb sucking daughter -- and daughter in law, lol -- how ironic) I couldn't quit if i wanted to! Its very relaxing, free, easily accessible drug free and it has never affected my teeth or jaw. I'm not, nor have I ever been embarrassed by it and neither should anybody else!! I never want to stop sucking my thumb -- it's a part of me -- and whoever can't accept it knows where the door is!!!

Answer by Bethany
Submitted on 9/28/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 22 years old and have been sucking my thumb since birth. I didn't suck my thumb for a month at the most when I was 19, but I started up again. My parents used to yell at me when I was a child for sucking my thumb. I would hide behind the couch and suck my thumb and watch tv. When I was told to stop, I would stop for a minute, and then the thumb would be right back in my mouth. I would get sent to my room when I was sucking my thumb, but that didn't bother me, I could suck my thumb in peace there. I had trained myself to not suck my thumb in public for fear of embarasssment Within the last six months I have met another person, my same age, who also sucks there thumb, but in front of people. She is a twin, I told them that I also sucked my thumb, but for the longest time I was still too afraid to do it in front of them. We share many similarities in our childhoods, with parental relationships, etc. My mother left my older sister, younger brother and father when I was 11. My father became a strong alcoholic. My sister never sucked her thumb. I have recently met my new half sister and she also sucks her thumb, that's my mother's daughter. I think that thumb sucking is a replacement for love that was never shown. I felt embarassed about thumb sucking when I was young because both my parents loved me, but later I used it when all I needed was a hug. Parents have the wrong idea with this hot sauce thing, hug your child, love your child, and then they will be "normal". Children who develop dependencies in adulthood, have most likely developed them due to lack of love and healthy guidance. Of course self image is a large part of thumb sucking, poor self image; however parents help us to create our own self image through support.

Answer by CJ
Submitted on 9/29/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am a 30yr old male Chef/Restaurant Manager, I have sucked my thumb for my entire life. Up until 8 months ago I never let anyone know about my habit because of guilt. I have lived with my Fiance for 10 years and have kept it a secret for 9 1/4 of them. My fiance caught me out and says it is really ok for her if I do it. I still can't let myself suck it in front of her even though she asks me to. She was quite upset that I hadn't let her know about this habbit, we have no other secrets what-so-ever and she felt let down by me. If you are hiding this habit from a loved one as I was, let them know. If they don't like it, they don't deserve to be with you. We are not freaks we are comfortable with ourselves and gain comfort from a lovely thing.

Answer by confused babe
Submitted on 10/21/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Hi there, people. My boyfriend sucks his thumb all the time, he even has a piece of an old dress of mine that he brushes against his face while sucking. Of course I'm really proud that it's a piece of MY DRESS!!! I have always been understanding, and when he first told me about his habit I didn't think anything wrong. I thought that was cute. Well, now we are more than 7 years together and I am starting to find that very annoying... I don't know why, I cannot explain that to myself. Let's just say it makes him look so helpless that I don't feel like making love to him anymore... I mean: he looks like a cute little baby, and he's very good to cuddle and caress, but... I don't feel like having sex with a baby, does anyone know what I mean? I feel almost as if I were sleeping with a kid and I feel as if I were abusing him... that's terrible!!! Is there anyone out there who can help me or give me some advice? I'd like to say that I love my boyfriend, and I respect him and I think he's a great person... it's just that... that stuff turns me completely off sexually... Help!

Answer by jen
Submitted on 10/21/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I want to thank each one of the thumb suckers and supporters of thumb suckers. I myself am a 27 y/o closet thumb sucker. I only do it now when I am at home and sometimes at work when no one is looking. I do believe like a cigarette is to a smoker, sucking my thumb calms my nerves. Ya'llhave made me proud to be a thumb sucker because now I realize I'm not alone. At 8 my parent in an effort to make me stop had a rake put in my mouth. For those who don't know, it fits like a permanent retainer with 4 prongs sticking downward at the roof of you mouth. Sounds more like a mid-evil torture device. I did prevail and my parents backed off. I think that some of the methods used to make me stop did more psychological damage than the thumb sucking. Thank you all.

Answer by mngrl
Submitted on 10/23/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I have been a thumbsucker for a long time. I have pictures from when I was little of me sucking my thumb. And now, at 17, I still suck my thumb. There have been periods of time where I have stopped and started. I think a huge chunk of my thumbsucking habit is because of the rough time I went through as a child. Rather than addressing her own problems correctly, my mother took out her sadness and unhappiness on me. I responded to it by hardening myself and by making myself not feel anything. Yes, I have turned into a normal person. Of course, I would also hide under the blankets and suck my thumb and cuddle with my blankie. That was my security and is forever something I wish to be understood and accepted. I still suck my thumb and I am not ashamed by it at all.

Answer by italianstallionaustralia
Submitted on 10/28/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am twenty years old, i was sucking my thumb even before i was born. From then i sucked my thumb until i was 15, this done big damage to my teeth as you'll expect. Growing into teenage years i was heavily concerned about my teeth, at night sometimes to this day i wake up with my thumb in my mouth. I don't go to sleep doing so, just that my mind is used to it in there! I wish i could not do it anymore, because i am about to have my braces out of my mouth. I have tried a glove, salt and pepper on my thumb, but nothing works! any ideas? i donut see nothing wrong with doing it, but i stress its not worth the damage to your teeth! teeth are for a lifetime and good looking teeth makes you look 100 times better.

Answer by ogidyq2
Submitted on 11/5/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am a 26 year old young man. I have been a thumb sucker all my life. I enjoy it and cant imagine a life without the comfort. I grew up with four sisters and two brothers all knew I sucked my thumb, yet I was the only one. Since I was ten my family has believed that I quit. I was embarrassed by a retort from my younger brother in front of friends and I have been living the habit in secret ever since. I don't even think my family remembers my habit. I have never shared my secret with anyone till now and I must say that I feel wonderful finally releasing my feelings, even if on deaf ears. I actually was not aware of the amount of people who share my comfort zone. I have never seen it as a bad habit, rather than one which is hard for people to accept and understand. I will never quit, I wouldn't want to put myself through the pain. Its my way of spoiling myself. We all need that in our lives. Addressing the physical changes attributed to thumb sucking, I have not experienced any. I look and feel normal. I don't have callouses, nor abnormal teeth. I do not suffer from psychological problems, I am a normal guy who likes to indulge in the pleasures of life. I am thankful that I can. I hope I can meet a special woman that I can share this with someday. I know I would be in heaven then! Until then its just me and my thumb....thumbs up!

Answer by Ranger
Submitted on 11/17/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm 31, two degrees, successful, competent, I've sucked my thumb all my life. My mother remembers me doing it from the first few hours of birth, it was probably an established habit before I was born. My parents scolded, teased and tried a number of ways to get me to stop, nothing worked, I had no interest in stopping and resented them wanting to withdraw that source of comfort from me. I knew they had no concept of how much that comfort was needed. As an adult I'm discreet about it, but really, what IS the big deal here?? It's harmless, it is only (and very debatably) culturally inappropriate in an extremely mild sense. If it makes you feel better, sleep better, calm down and gives you comfort then great, you have the right to feel calm, comforted and relaxed. You have an effective coping strategy.

Answer by thumblover
Submitted on 1/2/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am a 26 year old female, and I have sucked my thumb since birth. My mom says i put my thumb in my mouth the minute i was born. Which probably means i did it while still in the womb. When i was 11 i was severely burned on my right hand and arm. So, for about a year i didn't suck my thumb. I did start back up again, and have ever since. My thumb is very skinny, and i am getting worried that i am suffering bone loss in my thumb. Is that possible? I do have an overbite, and a slight speech problem. Not to bad though,i would like to stop, but i just love it so much. It really calms me down. I am also a smoker, and for a while during high school smoking helped me not suck my thumb, it sort of took its place. Smoking helped fulfill my oral fixation, and it deterred me from sucking my thumb in front of people. In private i would suck my thumb though. Now i smoke too much and suck my thumb. I'm going to make an honest effort to quit smoking. I cant say the same about my thumb sucking though. My boyfriend always tells me to stop, and of course when he does that i do it more. Ive always been told to stop, and i always rebelled. This site is great, its good to know I'm not alone! Happy new year!

Answer by Markus
Submitted on 1/5/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 21 yrs old, I've been sucking my right hand's thumb (and only that) my entire life, i usually do it when i'm watching tv, surfing on the Net, sleeping, or doing something comfy in general...Not when i drive or at any public places though, its always when i'm alone or if i'm staying over at my parent's house. My teeth are fine, though i do have very minor dental disfiguration, but its very negligible and not worth getting braces.. Since my childhood my parents have been trying very hard to make me quit this habit, they've tried alot of proven methods, like applying a bitter liquid on my thumb or covering my thumb with thick cotton cloth. But none of those worked for me, i've always ended up going back to it. Then they started laughing at me whenever i did in order to discourage me, my sisters even took part in it, for many years this trend continued..while it did affect me mentally, i still was unable to stop this habit no matter how hard they or i tried. So by the time i turned 15, my parents gave up trying.. When it comes to thumb sucking, i'm strickly closet-based. I've lived in college for 3 years (still in it), had many different roommates, girlfriends, but none of them found out about it. I was caught once by my X when i stayed over her place, but she didn't make a deal out of it though she did say it was "immature".. Although thumb sucking gives me a deep peace of mind, i admit that i am trying to quit. I just can't imagine myself in the future being a husband fathering parents with my thumb stuffed in my mouth...

Answer by oral fixation
Submitted on 1/5/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 24 year old and male and I suck my thumb again. I have given up on cigarettes again. At the age of 13 I quit smoking by replacing my thumb sucking with smoking (bad idea) its really gross that I took this habit which i think is kinda natural at a young age (breast feeding) and replaced it with smoking. I am in college right now taking very stressfull college classes. I would like to quit thumb sucking, nail biting and all my nervous habits. Im going to start doing tai chi and hopefully I can change my brain. I think its hard because I have had the synapse in my brain connected to this habit for so long I never really quit. Now if I could replace it with something relaxing like reading or meditation that would be nice.

Answer by Thumbsucker13
Submitted on 1/16/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm 31 and have always sucked my thumb as a child and even into adulthood. I always had a bear that I slept with at night too. It was mostly subconscious, but I would do it for comfort. I tried to stop many times but every time life would get stressful I'd start back up. I have noticed that in the past few years since I have stopped thumb sucking that I do not sleep as well. Later even having to resort to anxiety medicine to keep me calm. Maybe thumb sucking is seen as childish but I never drank, smoked or did drugs..and didn't need anxiety meds either. So hmm....maybe it isn't that bad. Don't know why it's so looked down upon. I miss it terribly..that's for sure!!!

Answer by Kirsten
Submitted on 2/3/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm a 34 year old mother and wife. I have a 13 year old son. He and his father know I such my thumb, they don't think anything about it, well at least my son doesn't. He has seen my suck my thumb his whole life. My son sucked his thumb until he was about 2 years old, we lost his silky bunny, and he just stopped, I don't know why. Sucking my thumb just makes me feel relaxed, but I never do it infront of anyone execpt my husband and son. I'm so glad to see there are so many of us out there. I knew I wasn't alone but I didn't know there was so many people out there liking it. I will probably never stop. I never gave me buck teeth like my mom said it would.

Answer by Oral Addict
Submitted on 2/8/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Up until i started writing this post I was sitting behind my computer, reading and writing a paper, with my thumb in my mouth. I assume the theme here is that, there is no reason to be ashamed. If it is of any condolence to anyone- I am a 25 year old (female) Phd student, ex-soldier and consider my-self successful in life (nope- not any mental handicaps here either). My reflexive thought on the topic brings a few things to mind. First, I don�t indulge in food. Perhaps those who do are satisfying a similar need. Secondly, while I agree that it is comforting and helps me sleep, I think that it is also a reaction to thirst. I find that often when I suck my thumb, what I really need is a glass of water. This association is self-explanatory, I think. Nevertheless, thank you to everyone that posted. It�s nice to know that I�m not just weak and can�t break a habit. My parents tried to help me quit for as long as I lived under their roof- now they just pretend not to notice. The truth however, is that I don�t want to quit. I think that the peaceful feelings that it brings me keeps me balanced in an otherwise disappointing world (ie. human tragedies in general). Perhaps we�re lucky to have this compensating mechanism. Others just don�t know what they�re missing!

Answer by DeDe
Submitted on 3/1/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Well reading every thing above has only fueled my craving to suck my thumb right now. I am at work embarrassed about my habit. My G/F's family has recently caught me in the act of sucking my thumb and I want to quit. I want to quit for myself as well. I still remember the first day I sucked my thumb. My older sister wanted me to stop crying in my crib so she taught me how to do it. Now I'm 21 and I think enough is enough. I have finally been able to train myself no to suck it before I fall asleep but it keeps going in my mouth while I sleep. Another bad time that I do it is when I'm relaxing watching T.V. or just reading a book. I have no idea what to do... But I hope to stop it.

Answer by CraziestMofo
Submitted on 4/29/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I have been sucking my thumb ever since I was little. I'm 16 now, and will be 17 in a couple months. My boyfriend and I have been together almost one year now, and he knows about the habit, and doesn't say anything really about it. I don't do it at school, or while driving or anything, just when I'mat home watching TV, Sleeping, on the computer, doing homework or just sitting there. I really want to stop as I have had almost 4 YEARS OF DENTAL WORK on my teeth to fix the overbite and the shape of my jaw that has grown to my habit. Throughout my life there has been different dental work due to my thumb sucking. I'm not saying I hate the habit, i just hate the effects and would like to stop. Any suggestions?

Answer by AmyLynn
Submitted on 5/3/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I have sucked my thumb for years, I'm 22 and while in my mother's womb, I had my thumb in my mouth. I suck my thumb driving to keep me from smoking, I suck my thumb watching TV to keep me from eating, I suck my thumb in a fight to keep words from slurring out and hurting someone. I suck my thumb in prayer, I suck my thumb during sex, my husband thinks it's cute and doesn't kid about it.He supports me and my needs. That's why I love him. He'll joke around and laugh and do it himsrlf, I think it's cute, but he just doesn't know how much commitment it takes to be a healthy thumbsucker, it means keeping your hands clean, and keeping up with your lil blankie, I have a portable one that I take with me, yes I love it and have named it. I feel bad for the mom who isn't understanding, my dad wasn't and it put a wedge between us, and that's the main reason I suck my thumb, because it made me feel secure. shame on you mother! You need to grow up and not sound so "stupid". I'm lucky to have such an understanding husband. I do it less now that I'm with someone understanding.

Answer by PrincessKatze
Submitted on 6/3/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I actually began sucking my thumb when I was either three or four, which is apparently unusual, since most people begin as babies. I used to have a pacifier and was bottle-fed as an infant, which may account for my habit. I am now almost 22, am married, have a full time job, serve in my church as a Sunday School teacher for 13-14 year olds, have a very active social life and a very close family. I still suck my thumb. I suck my thumb when I'm sleeping, when I'm thinking, reading, watching TV, in my car, movies, and yes, even in the bathroom stall sometimes at work. My husband doesn't understand it, but he has stopped pushing me to quit. When he first found out about it, I told him "This is something I do, it's not harmful, it's not dangerous and I've done it for a long time. I also don't intend to quit to make you happy, because it's a small part of who I am and it makes me feel safe. If you have any concerns about this, tell me now, because once we're married, you're stuck with it." Any time he brings up my thumb sucking, I remind him that he knew about it before we got married and that he knew he would be exposed to it. Besides, it's not nearly as offensive or as foul as his gas. I also have ADD, and thumb sucking is one of the only things that keeps me calm and relaxed for long periods of time. I went to Germany which is a seven hour flight from my home, and I didn't make a peep. My husband knows, my sister in law knows, I'm SURE my mother-in-law knows by now, she saw me doing it last weekend in her car, and my best friends know. They really don't care. They like me for who I am, thumb in mouth and all. I suck my thumb, my mother bites her nails, as does my husband, dad drinks, my friends at work smoke, we all have our things. Some just aren't as apparent as others. Or taboo. But I see nothing wrong with it. I like it and it doesn't hurt anyone. Except when I'm having a bad dream and bite. :)

Answer by me
Submitted on 7/18/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 19 years old and have sucked my left pointer finger all my life. I find myself doing it when trying to fall asleep, but I am not doing it when I wake up in the morning. I also find myself doing it when I watch t.v. and when I feel comfortable in my house. I find myself doing it without realizing, I don't mean to do it. The only time I actually have to do it is when I am trying to fall asleep, if I don't do it I get cranky and stressed (withdrawal symptoms). I guess I am a closet sucker because I will not let anyone beside my immediate family know that I do this. My parents have tried really hard to get me to stop, they have bribed me, ridiculed me, when I was younger my mom would put bandages on my finger which I would rip off. She would put socks, gloves, bad tasting things, and nail polish on me as well to make me stop, but I would find my way around them. I understand that there are a lot of people who also do this and are not ashamed of their habit, but I am. I get so frustrated when I catch myself doing it. Sure it's calming but there are many other things one can do to calm themselves that aren't embarrassing: yoga, meditating, deep breathing, exercising, cooking, etc. I actually came on to this site for tips on how adults can stop sucking their finger, because it gets harder the longer you've been doing it. I am not knocking those who are proud of doing this, power to you, I just can't respect myself if I am still sucking my finger. It's my deepest secret and I don't like keeping secrets this deep, it's not good for my well-being and true happiness.

Answer by Z1
Submitted on 7/22/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm 22 and I used to suck my thumb from before birth till about the age of 17 when I moved out of the house to pursue my own life. When I was 14 I had braces to overcome my overbite that was caused by the sucking, but it didn't stop me and my teeth are still fine. I agree with many of the people that it's a very calming and soothing thing to do. It wasn't a very easy habit to break, and even now, 5 years later, I still catch myself doing it at odd occasions even though the blanket that I had attached my thumbsucking to has long been thrown away by my parents to combat the case. I say why combat it, if it calms you down, makes you feel comfortable and secure, let it be. My partner knows that I do it and she makes no fun of me, she actually finds it cute. Revel in it.

Answer by jay
Submitted on 8/3/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am the wife of a 33 year old thumb sucker, we have been together for three years. My husband has a history of being molested as a child by family member and I have often wondered if this habit is a manifestation from this experience. In any case, I have never really let it bother me--I just worry sometimes if he does it in public that other people might tease him as I don't want him to be hurt. It's kinda of interesting though because he's a big guy over 6' 3" in height. I notice that he does it when he is "stressed". I don't care for the habit, but I also don't make an issue of pointing it out to him when he does it. His mother thinks it needs to be addressed in therapy, but I think that is overkill. I'm glad I came across this site as it helps me to understand more both sides of the habit. Thanks!

Answer by hopecampbell
Submitted on 8/12/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 27 years old, almost 28. I have sucked my thumb my whole life and my family went through a lot to have me quit. the mouth racks( i had two rows put in cause i still sucked my thumb) i never did quit. my family just thought I did. I am married and i know my hubby knows i suck my thumb. i suck my thumb mostly at night when i am trying to fall asleep. i also notice i suck my thumb when i am stressed. my hubby loves me and has nothing to comment on. he too use to do it as a kid. he quit i didn't. oh well. there is so many worse habits. luckily i have had no problems at all. my teeth are fine! society thinks this is funny because people think its juvenile, I think there just criticizing something they know nothing about. even Dr.Phil thinks its wrong. well, i think if we want to suck our thumbs that is our right. its so good to know i am not alone. i too felt foolish and would chuckle at myself but seeing others just like me with my same habit is awesome!!! thanks all.

Answer by isisiciana
Submitted on 8/14/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 25 and just had a baby. I promised my mom and husband I would stop when the baby got here, but it got worse. The restless nights and stressful situations have lead me to sucking more and more. I just feel so comfortable when I do it. When I am upset, hungry, tired , bored, and aggravated i need to do it. I just quit smoking and I feel like that was such simple task compared to that of stopping with the thumb. I don't think I can do it. I would be perfectly content with it if it wasn't for my husband saying he wont be affectionate when my thumb is in my mouth. When I take it out and cuddle with him all I can think of is how I can sneak it back in just to relax. I have gotten to the point where I pretend at work my nose is cold and cuff my hands or cover my face with my sleeve and do it then. I guess I got it bad. I think the more people want me to stop the more I want to do it. It just puts me in a relaxing state. Reading all these nice articles put me a little at ease. Thank you for who ever started this thread.

Answer by Oestaira
Submitted on 8/14/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I believe the people bemoaning the action are the ones who need help. Every human being on the planet has a habit, most of them are harmful. Be it smoking, drinking, strumming your fingers, biting your nails or full blown crack addiction. I'm twenty three years old and have sucked my thumb every day of my life. My teeth are fine, my brain is fine. Thumb sucking isn't an advent of a physical or emotional deficit and is not linked to either. Sucking one's thumb does not make the person immature or socially 'stunted'. I'm a highly intellectual artist and author. I suck my thumb whenever I feel like it, wherever I feel like it. Though just as with smoking there are places where one's fingers do not belong in one's mouth...I do not suck at work, I do not suck in the grocery store, I do not suck in any situation where my hands will come in contact with contaminated surfaces or situations where I may contaminate a surface. For those of you who are berating the act of thumb sucking, I say you have an unhealthy habit of being overly judgmental and socially manipulated to believe that 'normalcy' is something to be strove for. Screw the majority. Oh, and I have my thumb in my mouth.

Answer by WishICould Stop
Submitted on 8/17/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 28, a mother and I own my own business. I was married for 8 years and now I am divorced. My husband knew I sucked my thumb at night, but never really mentioned it. Now that I am trying to date and join the "romance" world again I am embarassed to have anyone spend the night, for fear they might catch me and mock me. I find it interesting that most of the people that admit to sucking their thumb/fingers do not smoke. I do not smoke. I have tried sleeping with a sock on my hand, but find that I cannot fall asleep. I am embarassed and saddened by this habit. I don't allow my daughter to suck her thumb she is 2, and I am afraid for her to catch me doing this when she is older and understands. I am considering trying hypnosis to stop the habit. Good luck to all!!!

Answer by jazzy
Submitted on 8/17/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
i am 15 years old and i have sucked my thumb since before i was born. i used to only do it when i was at home before i went to sleep and none of my friends ever knew because when i would sleep at their houses somehow i could stop. i have only started to suck my thumb more and more in the last few years because i have met other people that do it too and now i dont even notice when im doing it and in the past few weeks i have been trying very hard to stop but i just cant...i even have my friends help0ing me and telling me whenever im doing it so that i can stop but it doesnt seem to be helping...its very calming to me and people say that a binky would be better and my response to them is i always have my thumb with me but i really want to stop and i dont know how to do it

Answer by Gia
Submitted on 8/20/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm 24 and I have been sucking my thumb since I was born(as my mom tells it..she says that the doctors said it was very strange because newborns don't normally suck their thumbs) She has never given me any crap about it really, but my stepdad shares the same opinion as 'jonny anomaly', and has always tried to get me to stop. I have another habit that goes along with this, and I can't really be comfortable sucking my thumb without doing it at the same time. That is, I have a sheet(any thinish, cloth, sheet will do really) and I take the thin edge of the sheet and run it underneath my fingernails. Recently I have been doing the fingernail/sheet thing more often, and without sucking my thumb. But I still suck my thumb whenever my right hand is not busy or dirty. (I've recently developed a semi- compulsive handwashing habit) I have always been ashamed of my TSing, and have tried to stop in the past, without success. (In case anyone wonders, my teeth are just fine)

Answer by Not Alone
Submitted on 8/25/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I thought I was the only person in the world that still sucked their thumb! For me it does releive stress. I've been a thumb sucker all of my life and I am 23 now. I have a daughter who tells me to take my finger out of my mouth because it's dirty and it is so funny. She just laughs at me but it's cute. I think she always tells me that because I never let her suck her thumb. But she doesn't seem to mind me not letting her put anything in her mouth because I never catch her doing anything like that and she is only 3 so I'm sure she doesn't know how to hide anyting yet. But if she is a thumb sucker as she gets older i'mfine with that. It's just very hard to keep it a secret. I know my boyfriend and my mother know that I suck my thumb but I never talk about it and they never confront me. I'm glad too because it helps me releive lots and lots of stress.

Answer by clara
Submitted on 9/6/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I think finding this web site has saved me. I am 26. I have sucked my thumb all my life. I can't explain it to anyone - but I love it. It makes me feel safe. When I am on my own and just sit down or lay in bed. It just makes me feel so safe. My family have known since I was little that I sucked my thumb. I remember they did try a few times to get rid of the habit. And now I just do it for me and when I feel I need it. Which is just at home or at my parents when I am comfortable and feel safe. I love it though. I have never read or heard about any 'adult thumbsuckers' - and now I am even more proud and safe. I think that everyone just doesn't understand how good it feels and what a companion it can be.

Answer by RR
Submitted on 9/17/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Man...I have got to be the wierdest one of all. I am 17 (male, but it seems like this is a habit more popular with females). Have sucked my finger since/before I was born. I suck my left index finger with my nail facing my tongue (thumb is not as comforting to me and to big i guess). I am 99% sure it causes my nose bleeds, because the roof of my mouth is so much higher than others due to this habit. I can't make that click/pop sound with my toungue like everyone else can (wich isn't a big deal). My teeth are straight, but when I bight down, the left side of my teeth touch, while there s still space between the right side of my teeth. Does anyone else out there share these side effects of thumb (index) finger sucking. I am mostly worried about hte nose bleed one because it causes me around 1 nose bleed per day, use to be around 2-3, sometimes more and sometimes less. I am happy i am not the only one out there, because it seems as if its something I can never quit. Has annyone out there acctually been successful w/ quitting? If so, how? I would like to quit, but it doesn't bother me that much. I hate it when my mom/dad say things like im going your going to drive your car sucking your thumb, and you will be married sucking your thumb. I do it while I watch TV, read, study, and NEED TO DO IT WHILE I SLEEP OR I CANT FALL ASLEEP! Does anyone else squeeze cloth like fabric between there fingers while they suck lol? I don't know but that came with my addiction. i use to smoke for two years, but easily quit. I am sorry if this post seems unorganized but I rushed through it.

Answer by life long sucker
Submitted on 9/21/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I too, like many of you have been a life long thumb sucker. I remember my mom doing everything she could to get me to stop like putting socks over my hands at night or putting some yucky tasting substance on my thumb. I also remember countless years of, "you are almost 10 years old, and still sucking your thumb..." and it keeps going on the older I get. My family has gotten on past trying to get me to stop however. I didn't notice this summer that I suddenly and unconsciously stopped but as soon as I got back to school it started up again. I have never been a public sucker and have never felt the urge to suck my thumb in public. When I was young my friends knew about it but none of them do now because I don't know how they will react. It's not that I am afraid of ridicule but I am afraid of the negative impression it might have. I do believe that if I wanted to stop I could...but right now, I don't. Maybe someday... to all the other thumb suckers out there...it's ok, do what you want to do!!

Answer by Nicky from London
Submitted on 9/22/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I constantly suck my thumb and really really enjoy doing it. I don't understand why more people don't do it, I believe as thumb suckers we should be encouraging people to do it due to its relaxing qualities. Surely smoking is far more confusing, it tastes vile and is extremely unhealthy. Where as sucking your thumb is relaxing and doesn't cause harm to your body. When I have been at work and it's been a very hard day, I really look forward to sitting down on my sofa in some baggy pants and resting my thumb in my mouth. I did have a bit of a problem a few weeks ago though... I am a Police Officer in the UK and was interviewing a suspect to a fairly serious crime, I was tired and the thumb somehow found its way into my mouth! As you can imagine I did pull it out very quickly. Keep sucking guys x

Answer by Boomer
Submitted on 9/29/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
25 years old, mother and professional marketing director. After reading this I feel SO much better. No one knows that I suck my thumb, but now I am thinking about telling my boyfriend. I would love to see his reaction and I think that it would tell me something about how he would react to things in the future (seeing that we are planning on getting married). But for some reason, I really don't think that I could do it in front of him, I feel kind of silly. Maybe that is because I was always made fun of for it. The confusing part is that he has a daughter that sucks her thumb, and we are trying so hard to get her to stop. hehe....if he only knew!!!! I am nervous, but I am going to tell him my secret!

Answer by RedShoes
Submitted on 10/1/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
My ex-boyfriend, who I dated for almost 8 years has always been a thumbsucker. I did not have any problem with it. I understand that we all have our habits and coping mechanisms. And in a way, I found it endearing and special that he could be so open, honest, and comfortable with me. Yet, I did have one problem. He felt the need to suck his thumb when we were being intimate. When sucking his thumb he would go into his own private sphere, and I felt like the intimacy was extracted from our sexual relationship. I tried to discuss with him how this made me feel (because I was starting to feel quite rejected - he did not even want to make eye contact when thumbsucking) but he just got terribly defensive. I really thought it was a special habit when we were reading, sleeping, and watching TV. But I just could not deal with the lack of intimacy in our sexual relationship and his unwillingness to discuss any sort of problems in general. Does anyone have any thoughts on sexual intimacy and thumbsucking?

Answer by Fairchild
Submitted on 10/3/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 27 yrs. old & I've been sucking my thumb all of my life. I don't have any desire to suck my thumb in the presence of others, even at night in the bed with my wife, but I find it very hard to resist the instant I'm alone. I wish my parents would've stopped this habit the instant I started. Early on in school I was always an honor student until about the third grade when my habit had started to become an extreme humiliation for me. Trying to subdue my habit in front of others had resulted in very poor concentration which ended up causing a decline in my grades.I tried the remaining years of grade school to get it under control and finally got to the point that I didn't get the urge in front of people. It's been that way for many years now, but I want to eliminate this habit from my life permanently.I hate the fact that I still have a habit that should'vebeen left in my childhood and hope to find a cure soon

Answer by Changed-Life
Submitted on 11/3/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Wow... I'm 18 nearly 19 and i'vebeen sucking my thumb all my life. When i was younger my father put that stuff on my left thumb to get me to stop, as that was the thumb i sucked, but it did not stop me, for some reason i just sucked it off and continued to suck! I have an odd habit... when i suck my thumb i also rub the fur on my favorite teddy bear... I find i cannot suck without rubbing the fur. When i was about 8 years old, my room caught on fire (long story) and my teddy bear got burned to a crisp, when i found a new bear to accompany my habit, for some reason i started on my right thumb, which i now suck. I suck in private, only my fiance and family know, as i'mhorribly frightened my friends will judge me and laugh at me for it. I was never sure why i did it, i took every chance i got through my life to suck my thumb, except when in public, and i find when watching tv, playing a game, reading, and getting to sleep i suck my thumb. The only consequences i have seen is the nail on my thumb is somewhat weaker then the others and more transparent, and my teeth have the slightest overbite. I've grown up through alot of stress.. My mother left my life when i was 2, and my only contact with her resulted in her making me smoke pot and forcing me to watch as she took many drugs, and prostituted herself. My dad has done everything he can all through his life to support and protect me, and the only thing he has ever done to stress me out was a few years ago i found him fitting from his epilepsy, when taken to hospital, i found out he tried to commit suicide due to depression of finance and for a while it wasn't sure whether he would live or die. But since then he has gotten back on track. I moved out of home at 16 with my fiance and we have been happy but struggling since. When i was younger, my brother raped me on a regular basis, though now we share a happy brother-sister relationship. I was bullied constantly in school and i'venearly died twice during my life. At the moment i'msuffering from depression and for some reason i cannot make myself see a psychologist about it... So thinking about it, i guess my thumb-sucking is something i do to calm myself. My close family and fiance do not care that i do it, they love me and accept me for who i am, not what i do. I was always frightened there was something horribly wrong with me until i read all these posts.. and now i feel alot better (even shed a tear of relief). Sorry to blabber on about my life and such.. but without even knowing it you have all changed my life for the better. I can do nothing to repay you, except for say thankyou, and hope you all live happily for the rest of your lives. Don't ever let thumb-sucking bother your mind, as it is something to help us get through life, and we all need something.

Answer by J&J
Submitted on 11/9/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Thumb sucking is to deal with stress, and clear thinking, many other things apply as also in this deal. My boyfriend Joseph has sucked his thumb from birth and he is 27 going on 28 now, I dont see a problem with him doing it at all. Most of times when he is doing this is he is thinking about something in front of his computer desk or watching TV. He also use to be in foster care when he was young and his mom was not the mom that people would have wanted for a mom. She kep on giving her kids away ect.. Joseph has been my friend as well compainyon all my life, me and him went to the same school with eachother for may years. its more of a confort and a way of dealing with his stress and other ways of thinking.

Answer by Jubei
Submitted on 11/11/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm 21 and I've sucked my thumb since before I was born. My mom still has the ultrasound picture of me in the womb sucking my thumb. I still even have my baby blanket. No one cept my parents and my boyfriend know and I still never do it in front of them cuz when I was a kid my parents used to make fun of me for it. I don't do it as much as I used to, just when I'm by myself watching television or sleeping. I guess I just do it to feel calm and relaxed. I wish it wasn't so looked down on cuz when my friends are over or I'm at work and can't suck my thumb I end up chewing off all my nails or lighting up a cigarette. And since contrary to my mother's thoughts, my teeth are fine and other than embarrassment, their are no side effects, so why is something that kills you more socially acceptable than sucking on your own thumb?

Answer by Mia
Submitted on 11/15/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I really hope that "TheVoiceOfReason" is not a psychologist for fear that he or she will be more damaging to a thumb sucker than the self-soother THEMSELF for beating themselves up for it. Shame on you for being so ignorant and just downright mean. Sounds to me like maybe if you think you need to see a psychologist, that YOU are the psychologist looking to lure more people into your office because you cannot help people on your own w/o brain washing them into thinking they have a "mental block." I praise all of you other thumb suckers out there who speak up about it! I am 27 and I just finally got up the courage to even LOOK UP information on this issue online for myself. And really, "issue" should not even be a word for this, especially if we are satisfied and find comfort in what we do for self-soothing. Although I am speaking out on how I feel about my thumb-sucking, and how I feel about another's horrible opinion, I think I will remain a closet thumb-sucker for the simple fact that being in the closet about it is just as soothing to me as as the thumb-sucking itself. The only other person who has ever seen me do it, is my 3 year old daughter... and even she understands, even though she does NOT suck her thumb. When she sees me do it, she knows its my comfort tool and comes to lay next to me and rubs my hair when I have my thumb in my mouth... It's as though she knows I am going through something that makes me yearn for comfort and she is only trying to help. I think people should have more of a heart like my 3 year old.

Answer by FED UP
Submitted on 11/28/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I have two children ages 5 & 8, neither one of them sucks their thumb. However, I am in a fairly new relationship with a man 50 years old, and he is a thumb sucker!! It is driving me crazy!! He is a fanatic about it, and when someone is about to catch him, he acts as if he was wiping his nose. uuggh!! I'm wondering if i can secretly put a nasty tasting solution on his thumb or chant "stop sucking your thumb" into his ear while sleeping. This is something that I would definitely break up with him about. And to top it off, he is truck driver!! How do I cope? I will admit, he has used drugs on occasion and wondering if that has anything to do with his habit? HELP!! and please do not try to make me believe this is normal...is bedwetting normal for an adult? Maybe I should just buy him a pacifier. These are in the same category as far as I'm concerned....thanks for listening!!!

Answer by jenna
Submitted on 11/29/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm am 17 and i have always sucked my thumb...i also use silk to rub between my lips and my nose when i do it. its so wired reading all of the other people who do it. when i was younger my mum was always trying to get me to stop. i used to cut up anything made of silk (dressing gown) as it was so relaxing to use both. i ended up having to have braces.. when the brace were taken off i stopped for a while but i missed the comfort i got from doing it and started again. i fall asleep every night sucking my thumb- i find it the only way to get to sleep. i have been with my boyfriend for 10months and one day in the relationship i just started doing it and he excepted it. i think i will always suck my thumb. its nothing to be embarrassed about. i will never do it in public or when staying over at a friends.. only in front of people i am close to.. i love it.

Answer by 21 Thumb Sucker
Submitted on 12/17/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
i suck my thumb and twirl my hair. not all the time, just when i'mrelaxed or laying down in bed and trying to get relaxed. i have sucked my thumb since birth. now my one sister sucks her thumb all the time (shes29) and another sister of mine has sucked her finger and played with her ear since birth also. theres nothing wrong with it, unless your still wearing diapers and drinking from a bottle and telling your husband/boyfriend or girlfriend/wife to call you a "bad baby" and give u a spanking...then you might want to talk to a therapist! also, sucking your thumb or any finger may be a comfort zone. what i want to come across is hard to explain..children that are abused may also suck there thumbs,when they are adults they may also find themselves, while put in memories flashbacks, sucking they're thumbs, example: an abused woman who was abused as a child may find herself locked in a bathroom on the floor (after a blowout) sucking her thumb. if that is your case or anyones, you may want to speak to a therapist. i hope this helps!!

Answer by Chatty
Submitted on 12/31/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Yoooo i'm15 yrs old and i still suck my thumb for all you kids out there looking for a sulotion i figure there isn't one. It's one of the most calming things for me, when i'msad i suck my thumb it calms me down only my family know i suck my thumb but for some reason i have this strange mark on my thumb it's round and black and i'vehad it since like forever but i don't know what it is? i don't know if it's harmful or anything and gu3ess wut my teeth are prefectly straight. It's just the greatest stress reliever, for all you adults out there yelling at ur kids for stupid reasons, go out and suck your thub you'lsee how much better it'll make you feel. So plz sumone respond so i can see if anyone else has a little round circle kinda thing yeh thanks i'verealized that i don't need to hide it, well myabe from a b.f or sumthing but when we get tight i'lltell him. OMg i have a blanket too i was soo mad when my mom threw it out that only made me suck my thumb even moreee, but than i made my own blanket, omg i can't stop it, in a way i want to, and my doctor says since i have insomneia do w.e the hell you want to get to sleep cuz it ain't doing any harm to my teeth

Answer by TrenchRat
Submitted on 1/4/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm 25 and a thumb sucker. I assume I started at birth. My mother made no real attempt to stop my habit when I was young and even when I hit my teens she still didn't make any attempt - just a disappointed statement every so often. I don't really blame her but I could have used the help earlier in life. I didn't suck my thumb at school (probably because I was very likely to get picked on) but at work (when I think no one is looking) and at home infact anywhere I'm comfortable or familar with the surroundings. I'm embarrassed by it. It has given me a slight over bite to one side of my mouth (since its always Mr Left Thumb). When I'm feeling conscious about it I'll stop myself from sucking but I can feel the "pressure" inside me wanting to pop it back in. My long term girlfriend has now found out my secret and although she intially thought it was "cute" I think she understands the problem. I was thinking about seeing a hypnotist about it - but I might have a word with my dentist or doctor first. Good luck to anyone else trying to quit.

Answer by Cute Fox
Submitted on 1/8/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 19 years old and learning the effects and reasons why people suck their fingers. I have sucked my right ring finger for as long as I can remember. I don't catch myself doing it and usually can't sleep without it. My whole family get's angry or makes fun of me that I still do this, and they call me childish. I've tried to stop, but all efforts are in vain. I'm scared that someone will find out, and have neglected to tell my friends about it. It's weird to see that people twice my age are doing this and have no problem with it. Infact, they understand how soothing it is. It makes me think, that hey, maybe this isn't so bad. However, I'm not going to say 'Oh, atleast I'm not a alcoholic' or something like that. That seems like an excuse. I smoke infact. Still, If my friend can bite her fingernails to nubs when she's stressed, then my habit is just a less common version.

Answer by kteacher
Submitted on 1/19/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am a well adjusted 34 year old kindergarten teacher working on my second master's degree. On my wedding night, 13 years ago, I very nervously told my husband my biggest secret. He looked SO worried; I was a thumb sucker! His response, "Is that all?" I've sucked my thumb since birth, probably since before. My parents tried to get me to stop, but I don't sleep well if I don't suck. I tried not to suck at camp, college and such. Sometimes I was able to get part of a night's sleep, but often if I fell into a deep sleep, in popped the thumb. My teeth aren't too bad, but I do have a terribly waterlogged thumb nail and a callous on my thumb not to mention funny thumb prints from the extra wear and tear. I such my thumb only when I'm laying down reading, watching TV or going to sleep. It's way better than drugs, alcohol or smoking! I'm so glad to hear I'm not alone.

Answer by justliketherestofyou
Submitted on 2/8/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
wow! sum1cool, you must be perfect...a size 6 with the perfect life.......How sad you are. No wonder your daughter has created an outlet in her thumbsucking. She has YOU as a mother. You are obviously a harsh mom and not accepting of her, and it only creates more problems for her. I am a 29 year old mom of 4. and YES, I am a thumbsucker. My parents were and are still harsh about my habit. My kids are not tsuckers and I tell them it's a nasty habit when they try to mimick me. I mainly do it in private, my husband thinks it's fine, and I have never encountered a problem with others when they have found out. I am not comfortable with people who do it in public, but to each his own if they are fine with it. EVERYONE has a habit of some kind, mine just happens to be tsucking. =)

Answer by melodious
Submitted on 2/11/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm 23, a soon to be college graduate. I struggled throughout elementary school with sucking my thumb. As a baby I never used a bottle or pacifier. I started sucking my thumb in kindergarten. Kids used to tease me then. I had a slight overbite in 5th grade which was corrected with a retainer. I still suck my thumb to this day. I agree with all of you, that it is a soothing habit. I accept and love myself for who I am, as have all of my boyfriends. My parents urged me stop, but I was never forbidden to suck my thumb. I still have my blankie that I sleep with at night. If I'm weird, too bad. I highly recommend the movie "thumbsucker" it puts things in perspective.

Answer by niemo
Submitted on 2/26/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
i am 14 and have recently stopped sucking my fingers because i had my brace taken off so if i carried on i would screw my teeth up again. i miss is dearly and i find myself board because i cant watch TV without them slipping in i hope this will wear off will the urge to suck my fingers wear off? please answer i used to find sucking my fingers would calm me down and make me feel comfortable but i have to find other ways now. i advise to all adults with young children who suck fingers to stop them now force them to find other ways to comfort them self's because i am a 6 foot 2 14 year old captain of the rugby team and football team also won the under 15s strength and endurance award for my county and i miss sucking my fingers so much i almost cry! so stop them when there young so they wont miss it so much no matter how much they whine or cry. of course i don't think you should stop them unless their sucking fingers is harming them like it was with me.

Answer by troublemt
Submitted on 3/9/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am a 27 yr old mom who has sucked her thumb her whole life. I think mostly because of the habit I have never had the urge to start smoking, why should I? I have my thumb :P My parents were almost cruel in trying to get me to stop when i was a kid, even going so far as to duct tape a glove on my hand at night. I just figured out that the tape came off by morning because of sweat anyways so I would just take it off right away. I used to be a marine as well and have through out the years put myself through guilt trip after guilt trip over my need to quit. A few years ago I finally decided to accept it as part of who I am and I am a lot happier now :) The only thing I worry about is being 90 in a nursing home sucking my thumb :P I figure by that age I won't care who sees me do it :D

Answer by myrrhfy
Submitted on 3/18/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
It's difficult for parent to deal with this, I can see this now in retrospect. For my entire childhood my parents encouraged me to stop, but if the habit is in you, you just get better at hiding it. What would you rather have � a cute, cuddly, calm kid or an angry, stressed and sneaky (consequence of hiding it all the time)kid? One woman I knew claimed she put feces on her 6-year-old step-daughter's thumb to break her habit. Now� which of the two are more messed up? I always thought I would stop if I had kids, but as a 27-year-old student, that goal looks far away. No one has talked much about thumb sucking in relation to childhood issues or maternal separation. It would be interesting for those who believe that there is a psychological connection to connect with others who were separated from their mother at birth (or weren't breastfed.)

Answer by Dean Hall
Submitted on 3/30/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Hi everyone. I am 34 years old and always been a big sucker. I find it so comforting and relaxing the only diffrence is I don't suck my thumb as I never found that very comforting I suck pacifiers instead. I have always loved sucking pacifiers for comfort I guess it's not much diffrence to sucking your thumb after all sucking is sucking be it thumb or pacifier. When I was younger I had my pacifier till I was nearly 10 years old and my mom had no problems letting me have it although I only ever sucked on my pacifier in the home, never outside for afraid of want people are like as thay ca be so judgemental. I even now only ever suck my pacifier at home never outside and I still take one to bed with me at night along with my cuddly toy duck ''Quackers'' as others said it's better then drinking and smoking and I can't stand both of them and anyway want harm am I doing to anybody by having my pacifiers. It's just a harmless comfort thing. So is there anyone else here that prefers there pacifiers to there thumb. Take care everyone

Answer by mellymoe
Submitted on 3/30/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm 31 years old and have been sucking my thumb since birth. I used to get teased horribly about it by my family and classmates. Now I hide it from basically everyone but my husband. At first I tried to hide it from him but one day he told me that when he got up in the night I looked so cute because I was sucking my thumb and snuggling my cat! I almost died! I really didn't want him to know! Now its all cool. I'm totally well adjusted - I'm a therapist for God's sake - I should know! lol Its a shame that the parent in that previous posting can't accept her daughter AND her coworker for who they are. Don't people with cigarettes hanging out of their mouths look just as "stupid" as we do? I think we should be rewarded for finding a safe, "cost effective" , self soothing behavior! lol Maybe someday we will live in a world where people are accepted by the merit of their personality rather than the quirky behaviors they exhibit!!

Answer by nini260@hotmail.com
Submitted on 4/4/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am a 22 y/o female who has been sucking my thumb since the moment I was birthed. As a child my parents tried the icky tasting things for a while, but then figured it was not hurting me. Their biggest concern had always been my teeth, which are pretty perfect. I had a "gate" put in when I was in grammer school a metal thing cemented to the upper roof of my mouth, so instead of resting my thumb on my teeth, i rested it further back and kept me from having any teeth problems. I am very open about my thumb sucking. I don't care who see'sme suck my thumb, but it does not affect my ability to hold a full time job. I suck my thumb in movie theaters, while I drive, in class, and any number of other places. Granted i do live in San Francisco, and I can't imagine that anyone would really care. I suck my thumb for comfort, its soothing and i enjoy it. I am also a smoker, but i feel the two are very different stimulants. I would love a real established medial center i.e. Stanford or Columbia or UCBerkeley to conduct a legitimate study because i would love to know what it does to the brain. I have no desire to stop sucking my thumb, and every person in my life is ok with it. I am a very happy person and i do not have a psychosis because i suck my thumb. I was born sucking my thumb obviously it was ment to be.

Answer by Angie
Submitted on 4/5/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I've sucked my thumb since birth. I am 22 now, married, and a child care provider. I always thought I was wierd for continuing to suck my thumb past childhood. Granted, I had a very troubled childhood, adolesence, and my adulthood hasn't been the smoothest ride either, but I figured, hey, I'm not hurting anyone, including myself (cause my teeth have always looked fine, no gaps or anything, slightly bucked after 22 yrs, but un-noticable to most), AND IT MAKES ME FEEL BETTER. CALM. RELAXED. COLLECTED. As far as the person who said to go see a shrink,...I did. She said it was fine. NORMAL....lol. Bottom line is unless it's harming you, it's ok. If thumb/finger sucking is causing stress or bad feelings about yourself then STOP. If not, then SUCK! =)

Answer by Crynos_13
Submitted on 4/25/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Hi, I am 25 years old and have never sucked my thumb. I am willing to give it a try though if I can be in that parade mentioned earlier. While on the subject, I have heard that smoking (cigarette, cigar, pipe, whatever), chewing on the end of a pen, and thumb-sucking are signs of an oral fixation. If so, who cares. Sucking your thumb is less likely to stain your lungs with tar, or lips with ink, so where's the harm. If you know someone who sucks their thumb, I don't think that criticizing this behavior is likely to have any beneficial effects. Besides, when they meet the right person who accepts them "as is" that person will probably find it cute. "Cute" usually isn't bad.

Answer by Stephanie
Submitted on 5/8/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm 19 and have been sucking my thumb ever since I can remember. I actually had a metal device put in my mouth that had almost spikes that came down from the roof of my mouth so that I couldn't place my thumb there.. it definitely worked only temporarily. My family and everyone thought I stopped but really I continued and as far as i know, no one knows I still do. I do it only when no one is around and usually in my room and like when watching TV or going to bed. It's pure habit as far as I know. I can't really relate it to anything to my childhood. I really just enjoy the feeling and its just purely comforting. I also have a stuffed animal that I have to have with me to bother to suck my thumb. Otherwise its just not the same. Its fine for now, but ya I am really what I will do when I have a husband and a family. I have just always been so ashamed I have never mentioned it to anyone. Anyways, like others have said, the way I see it its better to my wellbeing then a habit such a smoking, drugs, drinking and so on. My teeth are in good shape and there's no other negative effects so I really don't see the harm except the embarrassment as people that don't do it could never relate or understand

Answer by Anna
Submitted on 5/15/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Well, I'm only 16, but for each of those 16 years, I've been sucking my thumb - probably every day. It's just something that generally comforts and relieves stress, I suppose, and even if it happens all the time (in public, driving, during conversations), it's nothing to be terribly embarrassed about. It doesn't mean anything, but is maybe just the fact that the person failed to quit the habit when younger. It just sticks, once you reach a certain age, and by then it's do or don't. If it becomes a problem, though, simple things like chewing gum or sucking a lollipop could keep your mouth busy, and doing things that require both hands would keep them out of your mouth as well. If it remains a habit when you're sleeping, you could try putting a sock over your hand, or wearing gloves. Not the most professional advice, but if it works, it works.

Answer by Mother of 4
Submitted on 5/19/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 25, I have been married 6 years, mother of 3 step and 1 biological children. I have sucked my thumb my hold life, despite family members efforts to make me stop when i lived at home. Probably i learned to do it at a young age, as a self soothing and like other things i learned young that made me feel good like smiling and laughing ect it never accrued to me i needed to stop. I do it when i need to relax or when i need to think. My husband and kids know i do it and don�t mind, i don�t do it in public... tho there are times i have felt like it. None of my kids do it. It is soothing and makes me feel relaxed, i don�t smoke or drink ect. It�s a harmless habit and dose not�t hurt anyone, in fact if my kids were to have a habit i would rather it be this than something like drugs or smoking. The only other habit i have is using what i call a "twiddle" where by i wrap a piece of cloth around my finger, to cut off the circulation. My husband thinks this is hilarious and often hides my twiddle from me in jest. In fact he is laughing right now as i read my answer to him. With all the hurt and hate in the world, how could something that make people feel so good be bad.

Answer by Ms. J
Submitted on 5/22/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Hi, I am 38 yr BF, my twin brother and I both were suckers. My brother stopped sucking when he was struck in the mouth lost a few teeth and had to get replacements. Me on the other hand, I can't seem to stop the habit and I do not think I want to. I have three sons, my first two sons sucked their fingers until their early teenage years. I used to hide my finger sucking from my husband, then I finally told him after about 3 months of marriage. Now that we are divorced and I am dating someone special, I have yet to tell him that I suck my two middle fingers on my right hand. Since I have been doing this all of my life, and my mom died when I was young, my father has Alzheimers, I cannot honestly say I remember any stories on how family members tried to prevent our finger sucking. I am the youngest of 13 children. I have 1 older brother who use to suck his thumb. I think am the only one that has not quit. My closest friends does not know that I suck my fingers. Thanks for this website. I feel better. Dual fingers sucker in Miami.

Answer by firefly
Submitted on 6/16/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
wow. i cant believe how common it is to suck your thumb. ive always hidden the fact that i do, since a was a kid and quit for about 2 years when i had braces, but i just didnt sleep as well then. I feel im far too old to suck my thumb...but its just so good! haha. I just turned 21 and i dont want to do it all my life but im the sort of person that if i want something, ill more likely then not try and get it. Its comforting to know that there are quite a few people who suck their thumbs as well. Im ashamed that i do it, and have only been caught a few times and i always make up some lame excuse. but im glad i come across this site. it let me know im not alone. Besides I bet we sleep better then other people!

Answer by Maribeth
Submitted on 6/22/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm a 21 year old college student and I have sucked my left pointer finger since I was a baby. I have a teddy bear that I also rub for comfort and can't suck my finger without having the bear in my hands. I used to be really self conscious about sucking my finger and felt ashamed and immature. I feel alot better now after reading about how many other people still do it. My parents have never scolded me about sucking my finger. Only my immediate family and close friends know about it. I hid it from my ex-boyfriend when we first started dating but after he found out he thought it was cute. I feel lucky to have people who support me and accept that I suck finger as just part of who I am instead of seeing it as a problem or as being stupid.

Answer by Anon
Submitted on 7/5/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Well I can relate to a lot of people here lol. I'm 17 and my mom has a sonogram of me sucking my finger in her womb. I went through all my fingers from the time I was 0-6 and ended up sucking my pinkie. I know, sounds weird but there it is. My parents have tried everything from spanking to gross tasting stuff to 3 yrs of orthodontic work (during which of course, I did stop) but lately Ive found myself starting up again. I really cannot get to sleep without sucking my finger! Its awful and I know that when I leave for college next fall I will have to go through a lot of embarrassment I mean what if my roommate catches me?? I'm also scared of my teeth becoming bad again. I really really want to stop but its so hard. Anyhow.. it was nice to read other peoples experiences. Hopefully everything will work out ok!

Answer by Anon
Submitted on 7/10/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Im 17. I have spent my life sucking 2 fingers to the extent of needing dental surgery and braces etc. Ive never been proud of it, and it only occurs in the following conditions : Going to Sleep Watching TV or similar activity When im alone I have always seen it as a comfort compulsion whereby even if there is the slightest hint of insecurity the habit kicks in, even without me realising it. Problem is, part of me hates it as I feel far far too old for this habit. However, on the other hand (And this is slightly pathetic in most peoples minds) I see it as one of the last things left from my childhood that i dont want to let go of. I have gone through strange and vile tasting ointments to put on fingernails, feeble restraints, and various other methods, but to no avail. Is it too late to do anything about? Or is it something that i am just going to have to accept, and attempt to not be embarrassed by it. I actually know people around the same age as me that suck their thumb and in that i take comfort, but its not going to get me any closer to stopping. Did anyone find a failsafe solution? (Sorry to reopen a 2-3 year old discussion, but needs be :) )

Answer by Oral-T
Submitted on 7/26/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 28 years-old as well, and I am glad to see that I am not the only one. I have been sucking my thumb my whole life; I can't sleep without it. I think that I am programmed-I have no desire to suck it when I am in public. It is an automatic thing, when I get home and shower and I get relaxed next thing I realize I am sucking my thumb. My parents tried to stop me, but I just licked that stuff right off. I have a six year old boy who has not picked up the habit (I show him my teeth when his fingers linger next to his mouth too long.) It has never bothered any guy that I dated. The problem is that my teeth look terrible, and I think it may be causing TMJ. I am thinking about seeing a psychiatrist.

Answer by Georgie
Submitted on 8/7/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 42 years old and I have sucked my left thumb consistently since I was born. I am an attorney, CPA, married, and soon to be father. I suck my thumb in front of my wife, my parents, my siblings and my closest friends (as well as ex girlfriends). I dont do it in front of my in-laws, although they caught me recently. When I am having a conversation with my wife, if I start sucking my thumb, she stops talking untily I pull the thumb out, which I inmediately do. I explain to her that thumbsucking to me is like having a cold beer after a stressful day at work. The rewards of thumb sucking to me are just amazing. I do not plan to stop sucking my thumb. I suck it in front of my nieces and nephews and they laugh about it, but they havent started sucking their own thumbs. Its good to know there are so many thumbsuckers out there. By the way, I do not suck my thumb when I sleep.

Answer by Jim
Submitted on 8/10/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Hello, to ALL the adult thumb suckers out there!!!!I would just like to add that I have sucked my thumb since I was a baby & I have only stopped at the tender age of 21!!!In the process, I damaged my teeth and therefore have now got a brace...however the first day I stopped was when I got my brace on!!! I didn't think thumb sucking looked nice( or my teeth) but until the day I had my brace on I couldn't stop because it was sssooooo comfortable. I would suck when I was tired, bored, concentrating, sleeping etc. I am sssooo proud of myself for not sucking my thumb for a WHOLE week (thats alot in my world), therefore making me feel betta cuz I kicked the habit and I will have lovely teeth in a year when my brace comes off( yippeeee!!!)To all those people who have sucked their thumbs and it has not affected their teeth..I do not blame you for not stopping as I would NOT have stopped if it was not for my teeth...& my URGENT need to get them fixed...Please enjoy sucking and I am HIGHLY envious but at the same time I happy that I have stopped. For all those who frown upon it..should try it...as i would prefer someone to suck their thumb to calm themselves down, rather than drink or drug themselves into oblivion just because that is the ADULT thing to do....SUCK ON, SUCK ON...

Answer by justbeingme
Submitted on 8/14/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 23 and I have been sucking my right 2 front fingers as long as I've been alive. I also twist my hair to go with it. I am extreamly embarrased by it and wish that one day I would just wake up and not do it any more. I must be one of the few however who also smoke and drink to go along with it. I hardly even notice when I am doing it either, one minute I will be typing the next my fingers will be in my mouth. I really couldnt say that it makes me feel better, because I dont really know that. I know it helps me sleep but I think it is just a habit. I want to tell the mother that is telling her daughter she looks stupid that maybe she is part of the problem. My parents were constantly hitting me and calling me names because of this problem and all I think that really did was make me go hide somewhere and do it more. Why dont you try the loving understanding approach maybe you will get better results. As for just being able to quit, I quit smoking easier than I could quit sucking my fingers.

Answer by 30 yrs old and still sucking
Submitted on 8/19/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 30 yrs old, a college graduate and a successful professional. I have sucked my thumb my entire life, and I really don't see stopping any time soon. I only suck it when I am trying to fall asleep. I also have baby blankets that I sleep with (one is pretty ratty) but they give me so much comfort, I don't see any reason to stop. My husband first found out because I was sucking my thumb in my sleep. He thought it was 'cute', and never really says anything. Occasionally he jokes about what I'll do when we have kids, but I'm not really worried. I am happy, well adjusted and just happen to suck my thumb to help me fall asleep. I am so glad to see there are others like me out there and I am not alone!

Answer by PeskyGurl
Submitted on 9/5/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I've always sucked my thumb. I'm 21. I quite for a couple of years (my teen years) but then I went back to it because it was instant comfort. I usually do it when I'm insecure or tired. I'm acually surprised that it lowers my heart rate. It feels good to hear that there's some good in it. Sucking my thumb is my dark secret; I don't tell anyone, and it has been really awkward when roommates in college catch me. Never do we talk about it. I recently confessed to my girlfriend. I'm acually surprised she hasn't caught me before I told her. I'm not proud of my thumbsucking, and sometimes, my g/f gets jelous of my thumb asking "why can't i comfort you like ur thumb?" I'm afraid to go to the dentist bc I know he could tell I'm a thumbsucker, and that would be awkward. I never knew there was this many people out there. Keep on suckin!!!

Answer by Angie G
Submitted on 9/7/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am a 46 year old 25 year married women, mother of a 21 year old son. I to have been sucking my left thumb my whole life. I don't know if its because of something my parents did ie: taking my pacifier away to soon or somethig else and frankly I do not care. I have alot of stress in my life-job, family, child etc. It is the only thing that gives me comfort and relaxation. I only do it when I'm cuddled up on the couch watching a good movie or when I'm laying in bed trying to fall asleep and I'm told by my husband that I do it in my sleep as well. Although my family knows about it I have never done it in front of them, oh there is the occasional time when one of them has walked in on me but for the most part I usually hear them coming and catch myself before they walk in. Even though they know I'm still uncomfortable with being seen. Because being the Mom I'm the one they all look to in times of need. So I say to all of us out there that unless it directly effects your life in a negative way DON'T STOP!!! There is very little in life these days that gives us comfort, were not hurting anybody and I can think of alot worse thigs people do to relax themselves, such as drinking and drugs so I would say were normal compaired to most, so as long as your not causing damage to your teeth or your relationships I say all the power to you.

Answer by IT_dude
Submitted on 9/8/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I have been sucking my thumb all my life. I am 38 now and usually just do it at home while watching TV, in bed or at my desk reading websites. My mother caught me until my 20's doing it and constantly told me to grow up. Eventually she just stopped saying anything when catching me. Since then, I have lived with roommates and none of them have ever said anything. I try to make sure not to get busted while watching TV but I constantly fall asleep with thumb in mouth on sofa. I think my latest roommate has caught me several times because you can see my sofa as you come up the stairs and its always when I am sleeping. When I wake up she is always intentionally looking the other way when I feel I been caught. I have never told anyone. I check every other year or so on-line to read about it. I think it is just comforting thing. Helps me sleep. I have been single most of my life, so it might be a way to make myself feel better.

Answer by Thumbsuckingmama
Submitted on 9/17/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 30 years old and I have sucked my thumb probably since in utero. I hide it for the most part. My parents know and my ex-boyfriend of 12 years knew. My daughter probably knows and it is she that makes me think I need to quit or be better about not doing it around her. My husband does not know, or at least he doesn't ackowledge it. I've thought about bringing it up in therapy, doing hypnosis, but I am not sure I want to lose its self-soothing mechanisms, life is hard enough, isn't it? I wanted to say that I suck my thumb differently than most--my thumb is upside down, so that my fingers hold my left cheek--the only dental problems I have is one of my front bottom teeth is bent inwards. So far on all the ATS sites I have not seen anyone who sucks this way. Is there anyone else who does it like this?

Answer by Soph
Submitted on 10/24/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am only 14 but I would love to stop sucking my thumb. My teeth are starting to stick out, but if I got braces I knew I would have to give up my thumb. My family have pressurized me for years to stop, but no-one knows how hard it is. My thumb sucking have helped my through more times than they know. I would love to stop, but I just can't, and now reading all of these comments, I have realized I shouldn't stop. It's a part of me, and even though my mates think its gross, they don't judge me or single me out. They accept it. But it gets me down. My family say I stink of saliva and have weird teeth. So when they say this I go to my thumb even more. But who cares? You only get one life, and if sucking your thumb makes you happy, do it. =D

Answer by Dawn
Submitted on 10/24/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm 23, I have a BSW in Social Work and I'm in Mensa. I have sucked my thumb everyday (minus two weeks after i had my wisdom teeth out) of my life. for 21 years I was always ashamed of it, but not anymore. my mom blamed herself, because she always told people I'dgrow out of it when I was ready. I never did. She just ignores it or i guess accepts it as a part of me. I hid my thumb sucking from my husband for 2 years until one day i broke down in tears and told him. He had said he saw me doing it a few times and never really thought about it other than "awww, that's cute". He is so supportive and loving. He knows it helps me calm down, relax, it makes me happy. He worries about me if he doesn't see me doing it after a few days, lol. I only do it at home but having someone love me and accept my thumb sucking has taken away the shame and replaced it with happiness. I wish everyone had that same love and support in their lives, I think it would help so many people if we just loved each other for who they are and don't judge one another, especially our own families. Life is hard enough, family is supposed to make life easier. Everyone has a habit, thumb sucking never hurt anyone.

Answer by Mellie mel
Submitted on 10/29/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I think it's interesting how many contrast thumb sucking to smoking/drinking/other vices...I wonder what the data is on how often people who suck their thumbs avoid these other habits, particularly the ones dealing with oral fixation?? I am 27 and I suck my thumb alot, mostly when at home watching t.v., reading, snuggling with my boyfriend, etc. My mom makes fun of me and thinks I will be judged for it, but like every one else on here, the thumb sucking has persisted. I think it's actually a testament to the thumb sucker'scharacter that we ignore the PEER PRESSURE telling us not to suck our thumbs and do it any way....Maybe this is where the avoiding other bad habits like smoking comes in? Oh, and by the way, my teeth aren't perfect but they are pretty damn good, and I've told lots of people I still suck my thumb and they think it's cute! No one I have dated has had a problem with this...they seem to find it endearing. I know I would...I would love to date someone who knew the comfort and sense of security thumb sucking could bring.

Answer by lydia
Submitted on 12/17/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
i was searching the web for ways to stop sucking my thumb. I felt like now that i'malmost 20, I should stop, though i have never been able to do it before. Reading all the responces especially that hater of a mother, i dont feel like such a freak now. ive never hid it from my family or close friends and had often found my friends secretly did too. my parents were much like the hater mother but eventually they kinda gave up when they realized it really helped my anxiety better than any medication. everytime they would try to force me to quit, i would be so upset and uneasy, it was like torture. im just happy to be myself, screw social norms! thumb suckers of the world unite!

Answer by Katlin
Submitted on 1/4/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am a 25 year old thumb sucker. Pity to the teen whose mother does not accept her. She doesn't realize that she causes more harm than good. My mom teased me about it incessantly when I was a teenager and it only made me learn how to hide it better. I still did it and I did it MORE when she would tease me about it. My ex did the same thing, saying he was "helping" by trying to get me to quit. I've been happily married for almost 3 years to a man who tells me that he could never sleep at night without the sucking noise I make in my sleep. When I told him that I was thinking about trying to quit. He told me that he didn't like the idea of me not sucking my thumb and urged me to reconsider WHY I would want to quit, which was purely external reasons. I am now out of the proverbial closet to my closest friends and my entire family and feeling the love more than ever. As for WHY I do it.. It's simple... it is a coping mechanism I formed in early life as a response to stress. I do it subconciously and generally only when watching TV or laying down to relax. The thumb just finds her way into my mouth and those who love me have never seen a reason to make me stop.

Answer by Lucy
Submitted on 1/5/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 23 Years old, a mother and wife. I have sucked my thumb all my life. I have always been ashamed of my thumb sucking. My family knows I suck my thumb, but I keep it a secret from my friends or anyone that I am not real close to. I would like to try to stop but I find it hard because like everyone else it comforts me. I tend to suck my thumb and not even realize that I'm doing it. Like many of you I suck my thumb while watching t.v, when I'm tired or just bored..always at home though. My 2 year old daughter sometimes mimics me and that bothers me because I wouldn't want her to start. She tells me "out of mouth mommy" which makes me feel like I'm way too old to be sucking my thumb when my 2 yr old can notice that its not something that I should be doing. On the other hand I just cant seem to quit. It makes me feel better knowing that I their are many other people out there and at all ages who still suck their thumb.

Answer by Linda
Submitted on 1/19/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I sucked my thumb till I was 15, when I started smoking. I think some people just have a hand/mouth thing happening and it takes an immense amount of willpower to stop it. If I don';t suck my thumb, I smoke, if I don't smoke, I eat. My parents painted all sorts of crap on my left thumb when I was a kid and wouldn't let me near the bathroom, but if you spit on your thumb it washes off just as well. They sent me to a hypnotherapist, they threatened me. You take comfort where you can find it, some people shag other blokes wives, some people mess about with small children, some people kill other people. I really think in the grand scheme of things bad and evil, thumb sucking isn't a contender. EVERYONE picks their nose.

Answer by mel
Submitted on 1/24/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
My 26 year old girlfriend sucks her thumb when watching tv, before and during sleep, and whenever we are in bed. She also often talks to me in a baby-voice. I vaguely knew of this habit before we started living together and didn't think it was a big problem. Now it is baby-voice/thumbsucking nearly 24/7. We spend most of our off hours at home alone together and I almost never get to be with the lovely adult woman I fell in love with. I feel like her parent when she talks to me that way and I feel very asexual toward her when she is in bed (or anywhere) sucking her thumb. I feel like a pervert when I do want to have sex. I try to tell myself that I need to accept her and that I am not a pervert because she is not a child! I get angry with her because she wants affection and sex when I am feeling the most disconnected and distant. Please advise me because I feel I am doing us both an injustice. I really want to be with her and I need help accepting this.

Answer by Amanda
Submitted on 2/2/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 22 years old. I am married, going through a divorce actually and have a 9 month old daughter. I have sucked my thumb for as far back as I can remember. My family, parents especially have always tried to make me stop sucking my thumb. Even talking about this, makes me feel stupid, but it's so good to know that there are other adults out there struggling with this as well. I tried to stop sucking at the age of 13 and failed. Finally succeeded with quitting at about 17 years old, and started back up when I got in a bad dating relationship. My husband now, knows that I suck and never really made fun of it, because his addiction is dipping tobacco, which is NASTY!!! But he thinks that quitting my thumb is easier than quitting tobacco. And I've said, "If only you knew how hard it is to stop sucking my thumb, you wouldn't say that." Finally, getting pregnant, through the pregnancy, I wanted to quit and tried at times, thinking to myself, "Wow, I'm going to be a mother and what, sucking my thumb along with my daughter?" But never succeeded. Now going through all of the stress with the divorce is all hard. I find myself sucking at work (when no one's around) and in the car (when I'm not stuck next to someone in traffic), at home when watching tv or on the internet, and then for a short while before going to sleep. The most aggravating thing about being embarrassed about sucking is in traffic, when I want to suck SO bad, but I don't want anyone to see, I have to take it out, then put it back in and take it out again. Very aggravating! To the lady who thinks her daughter looks stupid, get a life woman, you're probably an alcoholic anyway.

Answer by bumpkin
Submitted on 2/6/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm a tongue thruster which is akin to a thumb-sucker and I'm also a doctor. During my undergrad in psychology, I did quite a bit of research on infantile swallowing behaviors like ts and tt. Both, while understudied, are considered relatively free of any pathology, on par with nail-biting in most circumstances. Although there is some limited evidence to suggest that infantile swallowing patterns can correlate with other oral addictions like binge-eating and smoking. There are also some theories (unsubstantiated but possible) that link infantile swallowing in some individuals to a symptom of anxiety or attachment disorder. It is vastly more common in bottle fed babies than breast fed babies by an estimated ratio of 3-1. Success in cessation in adulthood (once again, based on limited numbers) is on par with quitting smoking. The reason it is called "infantile" swallowing isn't an indication of immaturity. It simply refers to a pattern all infants and toddlers share by necessity. They can't swallow any other way. Adults can but don't have to. The parent above'sshaming and punishing approach will only be harmful to her daughter and employee. A better solution would be to request respectfully that the girls keep it private. one last note: I requested syban from my doctor to curb the addiction - I do find it humiliating when I catch myself doing around others and want to stop. She was thrilled to hear about it; her husband, a surgeon, is a thumbsucker and she asked if she could tell him that I, a colleague, did it too. Incidentally, both he and I are pretty anxious, driven people. Poor attachment perhaps? ;)

Answer by samantha
Submitted on 2/14/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
i am a 16 years old and have been sucking my thumb all my life. when i was about 10 my dad would ask me when i was gonna stop and if i was gonna be a teenager sucking my thumb and i told him i didnt kno and he finally gave it up after about a year my aunt always scolds me about it and i tell her its my way of letting things go im not out there drinking or doing drugs to help me coop this is my way of relaxin. all my friends no i suck my thumb and they dont think anything of it, its not really a big deal. if i am upset about someting and need to settle down this is what has always helped me and i feel bad for the girls whose mother said she looks 'stupid' when she sucks her thumb, because that is ignorant and close minded, we cant just stop its what we have no for so long.

Answer by Carla0992
Submitted on 2/19/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 19 years old and have also sucked my thumb my whole life. I used to feel really embarrassed and weird that I was a thumb sucker- I was sure I was the only one in the world over the age of 5 that did it- and I tried stopping several times. When I was 14 I stopped for about a year and believed that I had finally kicked the habit to the curb, but my parents got divorced that same year and I had a sort of emotional breakdown. I found myself putting thumb in mouth again, and haven't tried stopping since then. I still only thumb-suck in private and I don't plan to ever do it in public. But I don't particularly feel that there's any reason to stop anymore. If thumb-sucking is an addiction, than it's one of the healthiest addictions there are, in my opinion. It�calms me down, makes me feel more secure, and considerably less anxious. Also, I've never had any real dental problems. I had to wear a retainer when I was younger, but my teeth are pretty much straight.

Answer by beandid2
Submitted on 3/21/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am a 32 year old mother of a 10 year old daughter. I have sucked my thumb all my life. My daughter doesnt,never has. I,like most, tryed to hide it, afraid of ridicule. my mother tryed for years to "make" me stop.I now am married and my husband "caught" me while sleeping. He finds it "cute" and hasn't made fun of me. I on the other hand thought it was a serious psychological issue and felt as an adult it was wrong. After reading about other adults, some as old as 60,that still do,i feel that I'mnot in need of a shrink,just needed some reassurance that I too was normal. For thoes of you out there who feel it is "stupid" maybe you should take a look at your self, climb down from YOU'Rpedestal before passing judgment!!!

Answer by Katie
Submitted on 3/23/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 16 years old.. soon to be 17 & i have sucked my thumb ever since i can remember.. my Mum said i use to suck my right thumb when i first started but now i always suck my left thumb.. my teeth are fine touch wood but i have this lump thing on my thumb from where i've bitten on my thumb for so long.. only my parents & siblings know that i suck my thumb and i dont do it in public.. just in my house. <p> My Mum thinks that i started sucking my thumb because when i was little she use to drop me off at my aunties house while my mum went to work.. i was very close to my mother and i still am now. She thinks that my aunty use to leave me alone by myself while she cleaned her house all day (because shes very house proud) and because i was left alone..she thinks i sucked my thumb for comfort..<p> and im starting to think this is true.. i suck my thumb when im on the computer, watching tv, reading.. even taking breaks writing this im sucking my thumb. I really want to stop but it is comforting. My family tell me to stop sucking my thumb everyday when they see me do it but i just cant! I've never realised this before i read your stories.. but thumbsucking isnt as bad a habit as smoking or drinking or drugs. I really think i need to see a pyscologist about it..<p> Like Reesie said "At this point in my life, thumbsucking is to me what valium is to others."

Answer by Anonymous
Submitted on 3/30/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Thumb sucking is nothing to be ashamed of...however, I do believe for sake of ridicule that it is best to continue keeping the habit a secret from others (unless you fully trust that person you decide to tell will accept you). I'm a 30 + year old thumb sucker, happily married and have a successful career. I've sucked my thumb since birth. My parents have tried everything to get me to quit growing up but eventually they gave up and grew to accept it. Fortunately for me, my teeth couldn't be straighter since my thumb is pressed up against the roof of my mouth versus my teeth. If I could, I would openly suck my thumb 24 hours a day (it is very comforting) but instead I choose to suck my thumb in private in fear of being judged. Only a select few (close family members, freinds and my wonderful husband) know my secret...I'm sure there are people out there with worse skeletons in the closet (if you consider thumb sucking a bad thing).

Answer by thumbsucker1
Submitted on 4/22/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Ive sucked my thumb for 19 almost 20 years my mom has done EVERYTHING to try to get me to stop. I would stop for short periods of time like when my arm was in a cast and i could reach it, or when i had braces but it never fails when im stressed about something i go right back to it. Recently my dad left for iraq and my boyfriend of 4 years left for the navy and ive realized that i have increased in the amount that i do it. But recently when i went to visit him i didnt even want to do it even though he knows about it and thinks its CUTE. My mom has even learned to accept it i think. Every parent should put up an effort to stop it but i dont think you should be ridiculed for it. Its not a choice really ive tried to stop i would love to stop but...i like it its nice to know im not alone

Answer by nurse
Submitted on 5/26/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am a 24 year old nurse and I have pretty much sucked my thumb my whole life. I actually quit for about 2 years in highschool(with the help of my retainer, which got in the way). However, when I was going through a really horrible time in my life I purposely started again because it was the only thing I could think of that could comfort me enough to fall asleep. It's funny because at first it felt weird and not at all desirable. But, ever since then it is really just a relaxing habit. What's even funnier, is that I have a best friend who just happens to suck her thumb too! We both agree that we are perfectly adjusted, but it is just an activity that relaxes us. I thought about quiting again because with so many hours at the hospital and the drive home (I have to wait to wash my hands really well at home)I do it a lot less. Who knows what it means!?

Answer by jane
Submitted on 5/28/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
28 now and been doing it all my life. I do it at home and never in public. Not because I feel embarrassment when caught, but because it is not a comfort to me in public. My only regret is not defending the habit to my Mother when she would tease me. You people who TS in your cars are crazy! No hands left for the wheel when you TS and talk on the cell phone at the same time! (haha just joking!) My boyfriend is 36. Not a TSer. He knows about me, but I quickly unsuck when he's around. He's told me he doesn't mind, but I can't do it in front of him because it doesn't feel comfortable. I read a good article by Pamela Gordon, about being a former TSer with children who TS. http://tinyurl.com/yrbt7n After reading this article, one thing I'm sure of; I will NEVER let someone else tell my kids to stop sucking!

Answer by thumbelina
Submitted on 6/4/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 21 and I have also been sucking my thumb all my life. Seriously, I thought i was a freak..and I was wondering if i needed to seek help for my thumb sucking or something even though I never really saw anything wrong with it. I am really embarrassed for anyone to know, and anytime someone sees me doing it in my sleep such as my boyfriend or roommate, i just try to blame it on the fact that i must have been dreaming and done it during sleep. Now after seeing this site I realize that I am not the only one and I feel SO much better. I just hope that I can be less embarrassed of my habit in the future, it is hard to hide it from people i care about and I really dont want to have to do that. Now that I think about it, theres really nothing wrong with sucking on my thumb..its not doing harm to anyone and its so hard for me to sleep without doing it. All my life I have tried to avoid having sleepovers because I am afraid my friends will either catch me or I wont be able to sleep without being able to suck my thumb. I seriously sometimes have insomnia without it because it relaxes me so much. Thank you for whoever started this site!

Answer by thumbelina
Submitted on 6/4/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 21 and I have also been sucking my thumb all my life. Seriously, I thought i was a freak..and I was wondering if i needed to seek help for my thumb sucking or something even though I never really saw anything wrong with it. I am really embarrassed for anyone to know, and anytime someone sees me doing it in my sleep such as my boyfriend or roommate, i just try to blame it on the fact that i must have been dreaming and done it during sleep. Now after seeing this site I realize that I am not the only one and I feel SO much better. I just hope that I can be less embarrassed of my habit in the future, it is hard to hide it from people i care about and I really don't want to have to do that. Now that I think about it, there's really nothing wrong with sucking on my thumb..its not doing harm to anyone and its so hard for me to sleep without doing it. All my life I have tried to avoid having sleepovers because I am afraid my friends will either catch me or I wont be able to sleep without being able to suck my thumb. I seriously sometimes have insomnia without it because it relaxes me so much. I think that the mother who is talking about her daughter like that should be seriously ashamed of herself and stop being so inconsiderate. That is the sole reason people are ashamed of this habit is because of people like you. There is no reason to be ashamed, it is like any other habit yet its much less destructive than most I can think of. I feel sorry for people who are so upset over such ridiculous things such as this and at the same time lowering her own daughters confidence and making her even more ashamed of her habit. The only one who should be ashamed is the mother herself! Thank you for whoever started this site!

Answer by BraddyDee
Submitted on 6/5/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
My wife was a thumb sucker most of her life. She stopped when she was in her late teens. A problem with much embarassment. However, now at the age of 28, she's started to suck again. She doesn't think I or anyone else sees her, but we do. She is still embarrassed as I am to see her. It just makes me think she still wants to be attatched to her mothers tit...which is what the thumb is a substitute for. It's sad, and gross and I hope she can stop before I have to mention it. And for those of you that don't think it doesn't affect you, think again. My wife's breath now smells of rotted meat. Her saliva is breaking down the skin and nail and is making her breath STINK! And all of her non-stop gum chewing she's started lately doesn't help. Nor does the mouth wash. Think about that!

Answer by index sucker
Submitted on 6/10/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 16 years old and have been sucking my right index finger since I was born. When I was about 2 years old I had a major surgery performed where 1/2 of my left lung was removed. My mom says the trauma from this is probably the reason why I still suck my finger. Ive tried a million times to stop sucking, but I can never make it to bed without my prized finger. Ive tried the bad tasting stuff but I just suck it all off. I mainly suck my finger at bedtime and when I'm not being active (reading, tv, driving, computer, etc.) Ive never told any friends, boyfriends or extended family about my habit. My parents tried to help me quit when I was younger, but now my mom just says "she'll be walking down the aisle with that thing in her mouth." I would like to quit but i think i have accepted the fact that i never will, its too big of a part of me!

Answer by lelu21
Submitted on 6/16/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
i am a 21 yr old finger sucker, i have been since before i was born. like most people my mum tried to get me to stop, first with a dummy but i wouldnt take this, then with nail polish stuff which i would just sock off!! iv been lucky that everyone i no just excepts it. if anyone comes into my house i dont hide the fact i do it and no one has yet commented on it! i tired to stop a few years ago with a mouth gaurd thing but i couldnt handel not being able to sleep, i would get really upset and then want to suck my finger even more. i did reduce the amount of time i sucked my finger. but now i jsut seem to do it everytime i can. even the thought of stoping realy distresses me and i doubt i will ever stop! its kinda hard to knock a habbit iv had before i was born! i was born doing it! its jsut apart of me. no one should feel ashamed of doing it. its jsut like any other oral habbit but less damaging, everyone in my famailt smokes and i dont i think this is due to the fact i suck my finger and i would rather have this habbit anyday!

Answer by Mochaluve
Submitted on 6/24/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 34 and have been sucking my thumb for as long as I can possibly remember. I wasn't the kid as school sucking their thumb, or playing in the dirt while sucking away. It was more like Creature Double Feature on a rainy Saturday..just me and my thumb. Hey, some kids have a blanket or teddy, which need to be laundered or mended, but a little bit of Ivory will do just fine and BAM! within moments everything will be okay. Now, its could be after work reading a novel, watching a flick. But I don't drink, smoke, or party with drugs. I didn't have a late night sneaky uncle and am trying to repress some deep dark secret. I've never turned on the 10pm news and heard that someone has died as a chronic result of thumbsucking. No one I know, has gotten skin/lung cancer from thumbsucking. How can my thumbsucking possibly hurt someone other than me? You are under arrest for lewd/aggravated thumb sucking. Hmmm...naw didn't happen. Until then I will continue to suck my thumb, and before they close the lid on my coffin than can just place my thumb in its final resting place.

Answer by Allthumbs
Submitted on 7/11/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
So far it looks like I'm the oldest of the group...I'm a 50-year old female, a retired bank exec, teacher, writer and thumb-sucker. I do it when I'm sleeping or half-asleep; particularly if there's a fuzzy blanket over me that I can pick at while I suck my thumb! I find I do it most often when I'm stressed, and it calms me down immediately. My former husband, a stockbroker, would rock in his sleep,a former boyfriend shook his leg and tapped his foot while sleeping, and another (okay, so what?)had a strange way of snoring/snorting that would start out soft and get louder and louder until he would jump awake then fall back to sleep and start the process over again. None of em cared that I sucked my thumb, not one little bit.

Answer by Mariedon
Submitted on 7/15/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Ahhh ...it seems so sad that this habit of ours is so filled with shame and ridicule. I'm 38yrs old and a completely happy, stable adult yet have been sucking my thumb since birth or possibly even before! When I was pregnant with my daughter, we could clearly see her sucking away on her little thumb when she was in my tummy at about 4months even! Needless to say, she STILL sucks her thumb 11yrs on. I have mixed feelings about her thumb-sucking because on one hand I don't want her to suffer ridicule (although she has a very strong character and just doesn't care what her school friends think! She's such a corker! lol) and then of course I'm afraid of her teeth might move (so far they haven't)...yet I have to admit, when she pops her little thumb in her mouth she always inevitably gets this dreamy, calm look on her face and I feel such a burst of tenderness and love for her because I know exactly what she's feeling. I used to suck my thumb in front of her but stopped when I realized she was getting big enough to realize her Mommy did it too. I was mainly afraid of her being ashamed of me.It's such a harmless habit (as long as teeth aren't harmed)as compared to other vices. It's actually a gentle, tender little habit - we should stop being ashamed of ourselves because others can't understand it. Btw, it's IMPOSSIBLE to stop (maybe with some kind of hypnotherapy, no idea). If my fingers come into contact with any soft material such as cotton, I feel a compulsion to flick it with my fingers (so weird I know!!) and my mouth just literally waters for my thumb. I admit I don't understand this compulsion at all! Another strange thing is that I can only suck my left thumb - the right one feels SO weird in my mouth. There should b proper studies done on this as there surely must be something genetic about this - some pre-disposition to thumb-sucking. My younger sister did it (but was forced to stop at 12 by some strange cutting contraption the orthodontist put in her mouth because she did have a palette malformation) but my older sister and brother never did. After having seen my daughter sucking her thumb in the ultrasound (I've kept the video of it even), it must surely prove that it's not a "learned" habit but that some people are programmed with this instinct to suck their thumb...it is fascinating for all....

Answer by anonymous
Submitted on 7/20/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm 23 years old and still suck my thumb. It's so hard to say that or even type it. I've done this my whole life, and would love to be able to stop now. My mom and husband are the only one's that know about my habit. My parents tried to get me to quit when I was younger. They tried the Tabasco sauce, and even got me a retainer to help me quit. Nothing worked. I do it just about all day long, but not in public. To sleep, I do it just for a few minutes and then I'm fine. I do it while driving, but only when its dark and no one can see me. My upper teeth I have noticed throughout the years have moved forward, but my teeth are still straight, so its not that bad. Yet I still wish I had no problem at all with my teeth. I told my husband when we were dating about my habit, and he thought it was cute. But now that we have been together for 6 years, I think he thinks I just need to stop. We have a 10 month old daughter, and I would really LOVE to quit before she realizes what I'm doing. My husband doesn't think that there are a lot of us out there, I'm so happy to know that there are more! Now I can prove him wrong! I can't figure out really why I still do this. I know when I'm doing it, it relaxes me, and keeps me calm. I do remember when I was younger and I would get really mad, I would do it, and it would help. I tell my husband that its a habit just like finger nail biting and anything else really. But I even believe this is something I need to stop. I used to smoke, I actually just quit for 5 days now after smoking for 8 years, and so far quitting smoking is nothing like quitting thumb sucking. For those who read this and are also fellow TS'ers please wish me luck!!! And thank you for telling your stories.

FAQS.ORG makes no guarantees as to the accuracy of the posts. Each post is the personal opinion of the poster. These posts are not intended to substitute for medical, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. FAQS.ORG does not endorse any opinion or any product or service mentioned mentioned in these posts.

<< Back to general questions

[ Home | FAQ-Related Q&As | General Q&As | Answered Questions ]

Question by Deb
Submitted on 9/1/2003
Related FAQ: N/A
Rating:	Rate this question:
what does thumb or finger sucking mean in adults?

Answer by jonny anomaly
Submitted on 1/19/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
stress

Answer by TheVoiceOfReason
Submitted on 1/29/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
It means that whoever you are talking about needs to see a psychologist. And I am not joking. Things we are supposed to outgrow but don't, i.e. thumb sucking, bed wetting, or imaginary friends, can represent serious problems or mental blocks.

Answer by n-a
Submitted on 2/14/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
Although I don't suck my thumb, I catch myself with any other finger in my mouth if I'm watching a good movie or listening to a good conversation. But, I still pick my nose when nobody's around.

Answer by shruken thumb
Submitted on 2/29/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I suck my thumb when I am very comfortable and relaxed. I suck my thumb when I am alone and in front of my husband.

Answer by Harvey
Submitted on 4/3/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
Thumbsucking, in an adult, is usually and simply a manifestation of habit, as opposed to a mental problem or the like. According to the voluminous data on a site focused on this subject, www.thumbsuckingadults.com, many adults engage in this behavior as a reaction to stimulus in their environment such as sleep, reading, watching television and, yes, stress. They've learned to respond to this stimulus by sucking their thumb, a pattern started, typically during infancy, or even prior to birth. The reason why its popularity isn't well known is due to social pressures to keep the behavior stealthy since it's often inaccurately associated with immaturity.

Answer by Robert
Submitted on 4/13/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I'm A 34 year old former U.S. Marine, High School teacher with a college degree. Have a wife, daughter and a son on the way. It's simply a habbit, managed to stop at about age 14 but started again at 20 brought on by the stress of Bootcamp. I think I married my wife because she accepted it from day one and never judged me for it.

Answer by A kind stranger
Submitted on 4/13/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
When adults suck on their thumbs their usually happy and don't think of what their doing. Or, maybe as Jonny Anomaly said the adult is stressed.

Answer by Reesie
Submitted on 4/23/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I'm 27 and have sucked my thumb every day of every year. My teeth are fine. I used to feel bad about sucking my thumb. But the truth is, that sucking my thumb is comfort, I'm sure it reduces my blood pressure, and it is also a catalyst for great thought. I have an 8yr old and a 3 yr old. When we are laying together and I feel my closet to them, I am sucking my thumb and playing with their earlobes or rubbing their cheeks. At this point in my life, thumbsucking is to me what valium is to others.

Answer by KK
Submitted on 4/24/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I am 21 years old, and about to get married. I have sucked my thumb since birth. I stopped for a period of time from about 13 to about 16. Despite pressure from my family to stop, I have never able to break the habit. It is very relaxing and helps me sleep. Personally, I don't think that it is that big of a deal. I am a happy and well-adjusted person. I just have a habit like 99% of the population.

Answer by MALANA
Submitted on 5/1/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I'm 30 years old. I stopped sucking my thumb for about eight months when I was a senior in high school. After that short stint I started back thumb sucking up until a year and a half ago. I was unfortunate to have serious periodontal problems from my habit so I finally stopped so that I could have braces put on. I miss the comfort and security thumb sucking provided for me. If my teeth were not so disfigured from doing so I wouldn't refrain from sucking my thumb.

Answer by Toughguy76
Submitted on 5/15/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I am also an ex-Marine and a police officer. I am getting into amateur bodybuilding also. Enough bragging though. I have sucked my thumb most of my life. I have no idea why. And if I suck it while asleep, who cares right? I really can't do it while driving a car for fear of being seen though lol. But it does give me a great deal of comfort. I think it must calm me down quite a bit. Screw people if they are so stuck in their predisposed notions of how people should act.

Answer by itsverynormal
Submitted on 5/28/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I have been seeing a psychologist for PTSD for almost 3 years now. I have sucked my thumb all of my life. I agree it is very soothing and most of all a harmless habit. In my opinion it has to do a little with childhood attachment. I was taken away at age 2 to be put in a foster home every time I was moved i started the habit back up. I have now accepted it as well as my husband loves me no matter what. My therapist does not think it is a major concern. It is a way to soothe myself in other words self comfort.

Answer by Rene
Submitted on 5/31/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I like to suck fingers? I dont know why? I suck my boyfriends fingers..and kiss his hands? I have know idea why? It Drives me crazy!! It's like I need to do it?

Answer by Sucker101
Submitted on 6/2/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I am 23 and have been sucking my thumb before birth. I still don't know why I do it but it does help me calm down, sleep, or just relax. I have been very embarrased of this and am still a closet thumbsucker but after reading all of the other answers, I feel 100% better knowing I am not the only one!

Answer by mini
Submitted on 6/23/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I am 21 and while the thumb sucking habit has moved from frequent (while under stress) to almost non-existant (when living at school and with a roommate) I am sure of its stress relieving benefits. However, I have recently become very concerned if it is effecting my bite/teeth. Does anyone know the extent to which it can cause an overbite that was fixed with braces years ago to return?

Answer by teacher
Submitted on 6/28/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I am a 36 year old wife, mother, and college professor. I have privately sucked my thumb my entire life, even though my mom teased me about it. I have always kept my habit a secret--from college roommates, boyfriends, and even my husband! I have given up trying to quit--thumbsucking seems a lot less safe than smoking/drugs/alcohol/gambling, etc., right? I feel sorry for the girl whose mother doesn't accept her thumbsucking and thinks that we "can just quit". Why should we?? I have no other addictions or quirks, and sucking my thumb isn't hurting anyone.

Answer by serophi2513
Submitted on 6/29/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I am 39. I am an avid thumb sucker. I have thought about how life would be if I lost my thumb. I would be miserable. I find great comfort in my thumb. Im glad im not alone as a thumb sucker

Answer by vman
Submitted on 7/5/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
My girlfriend just confessed to me recently that she sucks her thumb. She had hid it from me because she though that I would make fun of her and judge her about it, but she wanted me to help her stop. I hate to admit it, but I did make fun of her a little bit and I have been trying to get her to stop ever since, scolding her whenever I see her do it. After reading about all these people who have suck their thumbs all their lives and hearing what thumb-sucking is really about from them, it made me think whether I was being too hard on her and maybe I should just accept that its a harmless habit. Besides, I would much rather have her suck her thumb than drink or smoke for comfort.

Answer by modelchick
Submitted on 7/11/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I am a model and have been sucking my thumb all my life. I use to smoke and the only times that I didn't feel the urge to smoke was when sucking my thumb. Of course I don't do it in public, I don't actually mind that I still do however along with the habit I also twist the back of my hair and it never gets a chance to grow as a result and for purely a matter of vanity I would love to stop. Quitting smoking I did cold turkey and I can't muster the strength to go a day without sucking my thumb.

Answer by cerebus
Submitted on 7/14/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I'm now 28 and have been sucking my finger longer than I can remember. I only ever do it when I am trying to fall asleep and never for comfort etc and a lot of the time I never even realise that I am doing it. I tried giving up by painting that foul tasting stuff on my nail. It wasn't a problem getting to sleep but then I would wake up in the early hours of the morning gagging on the stuff. How can you fight a habit that you do subconciously when you are sound asleep for goodness sake? It's not like giving up smoking or drinking!!! The sleepless nights proved too much and I am now a 28 year old finger sucker and proud of it.

Answer by jennie
Submitted on 7/15/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I am a 39 yr. old thumb sucker who has also hidden it for most of my life. Even my ex-husband of 14 years was unaware of this habit. Since my divorce 4 years ago it has become more of a soothing practice then a habit however. It's something that calms me and helps me cope with stress. Six months ago I moved in with a man who has become my moon and stars...He is definitely aware of my thumb sucking (I made sure he knew about it right away) and he is totally accepting. He even seems to find it something special between us since it isn't something I share with the rest of the world. How lucky can I be :)

Answer by Christina
Submitted on 7/21/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I am 15 yrs. old and I sucked my thumb until I was 4 when my mom forced me to stop and bribed me with a cute bunny but when I got the rabbit I didn't suck my thumb I ended up sucking my pinkie finger instead. My mom and family have always made fun of me and I always try to hide it behind my baby blanket but when I get caught I just get yelled at. sucking my finger helps me feel less depressed and I wish people would understand that. I told my boyfriend about it and he understood but I never do it when I am with him and it hasn't even been mentioned but I am scared he is going to laugh at me when he sees me and even if he doesn't I know I will be embarrassed.

Answer by pinkie sucker
Submitted on 7/21/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I am 15 yrs. old and I sucked my thumb until I was 4 when my mom forced to stop and bribed me with a cute bunny but when I got the rabbit I didn't suck my thumb I ended up sucking my pinkie finger instead. My mom and family have always made fun of me and I always try to hide it behind my baby blanket but when I get caught I just get yelled at. sucking my finger helps me feel less depressed and I wish people would understand that. I told my boyfriend about it and he understood but I never do it when I am with him and it hasn't even been mentioned but I am scared he is going to laugh at me when he sees me.I know I will be embarressed.

Answer by cutiepie
Submitted on 8/6/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I have been hiding my thumb sucking since I was 5. My mom thought she had successfully forced me to stop. I now have two children (3 & 1), have been divorced, and am pursueing my bachelors in Honors Nursing Science. I am physically fit, eat a great diet, and have tons of quality time with my kids. Why all of this information, you ask? OBVIOUSLY THUMB-SUCKING HAS NOT INHIBITED MY LIFE A BIT! (Giggle) :) Good luck to you all! :) P.S. Too bad there isn't a way to meet other singles in the same boat....

Answer by Sass
Submitted on 8/17/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
My son is 9 and sucks his fingers. His dad is on his case right now to get him to stop - I don't really care. I figured he'd quit when he wanted a date! However, I see that it is very soothing for him and I am going to try to reason with is dad after reading what you all had to say. Thanks!

Answer by professional
Submitted on 8/20/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am a 51 year old successful professional woman and have sucked my thumb privately all my life. I was made to feel a lot of shame over this as a child. I suck my thumb when I am stressed out or trying to sleep or depressed. My 23 year old son knows about it and accepts it. I thought for years I was the only adult thumb sucker in the world. It is a relief to find that I'm not alone.

Answer by TamaraSAllen
Submitted on 8/25/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I'm a 22 year old, Senior Accounting major, married, and has been a thumb sucker for as long as I can remember. I rememeber that most of my cousins on my father's side sucked their thumbs when I was a kid too, but I was still criticized for it. I'm actually awake right now debating going to sleep because I know I can't do it without sucking my thumb. I know it's bad for my teeth, but I don't care because it's the only way I can sleep comfortably through the night. I'm glad I found this website, so now I can go to sleep peacefully!

Answer by jessy
Submitted on 9/3/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 38 years old with 5 kids, and a great husband. no one has any idea that I suck my thumb. I think that I have an oral fixation. It can't be a bad thing. I have everything that I could need or want in life but I can't stop this habit. I agree that most all of us use it as a release of sorts. But see no reason to tell anyone about it as I only do it at night when I sleep.

Answer by joinee
Submitted on 9/8/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Hello, i'm a 20 year old student and must confess to still sucking my thumb almost obsessively so around the house. SO glad to hear am not alone. I do it subconciously and do actually like the thought of people seeing me do it, altho my family must have to see me as I only suck my thumb when i'm in my family home. It's a really annoying habit and i strngely don't really like it in others, but I reckon if I didn't do it i'd end up smoking or something. It really calms me down. So if it stops dangerous habits and doesn't really halm your health- in fact lowers your heart rate it can't all be bad, shame about the babyish stigma attached to it. Keep smiling.

Answer by MELLYMEL
Submitted on 9/9/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
IM 27 AND I HAVE BEEN SUCKING MY THUMB MY WHOLE LIFE AND I DONT SEE A PROBLEM BUT MY WIFE HATES IT!

Answer by Ashes
Submitted on 9/22/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 21 years old and will also be married soon. I have been dating my lady going on four years now and only recently has she started to notice my thumb sucking. After reading the other responses, i feel more confident in defending my actions to her. I am in Grad school, an athlete and sucking my thumb helps me cope with everyday stresses. It is my muse at times and helps me to relax.

Answer by caramelo
Submitted on 10/8/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Am going to be 27 next week and have been thumb sucking all my life. My mother accepted it-she did it until she was 30-, my dad never has. Told my boyfriend. He says if it helps me, can only good. cannot stop. Always had the funny idea i was the only one, but feal much better now that i know its not true!!

Answer by Heather
Submitted on 10/13/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I am 18 years old and I have been sucking my thumb all of my life. I stopped sucking my thumb for about 8 months when i was 14 but started again. I also rub my pillow while doing it too which soothes me but seems kinda weird. I don't know what it is, but something about it just really calms me down and help me to fall asleep like a baby ha-ha.

Answer by Thumb Boy
Submitted on 10/17/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Yeah I do it, too. 30/male... I've tried to stop many times. It just happens automatically.. Then I catch myself doing it... then I have to force myself to stop. It makes everything come into balance in some way... so hard to stop permanently though. I don't think I'll ever be able to quit. It's part of me. Recently I tried a new technique, but it's kind of destructive... I used nail clippers and clipped off some of the skin on my thumb joint where my thumb rests on my teeth. So if I put my thumb in my mouth, it's very painful. Mmmmm.... i dunno how well it will work.