...thumb or finger sucking mean in adults?

Answer by Anon
Submitted on 2/13/2004
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 vman
Submitted on 7/5/2004
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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 NJ1
Submitted on 7/9/2004
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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.

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