Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

At the theatre, friend kept touching/feeling her hair all the way through it

13 replies

Tobenot4 · 22/12/2023 09:11

So we were at a show that lasted 3 hours. My friend, who I was sitting beside, was at this constantly throughout- to such an extent it was a distraction for me with her arm constantly moving around beside me.

I've noticed as well recently she's quite distracted at times and I don't know if it's related. It's not as though her hair needed to be fixed, but she was constantly grabbing it, moving it for all this time.

Has anyone any suggestions?

OP posts:
littlebitnonchalant · 22/12/2023 09:13

If she’s anything like me, it’s anxiety.

GenXisthebest · 22/12/2023 09:13

Sounds like a tic.

Nousernamesleftatall · 22/12/2023 09:14

What difference does it make to you? What do you want us to say?

ace249 · 22/12/2023 09:14

I twirl my hair when restless or anxious. I've been doing it since I was a little girl. I'm in my fifties. I don't touch other people when I'm doing it though.

Bringonthesunforthewashing · 22/12/2023 09:15

Anxiety, poor woman

peppermintcrisp · 22/12/2023 09:15

Lots of people do this. It is relaxing. She probably can't stop doing it that easily.

Whataretheodds · 22/12/2023 09:15

Is this a recent change? Have you asked her how she's doing?

Original poster
Tobenot4 · 22/12/2023 09:17

Nousernamesleftatall · 22/12/2023 09:14

What difference does it make to you? What do you want us to say?

It's not out of badness I'm asking, it's concern because I was shocked at how it continued all night.

OP posts:
Herbusyness · 22/12/2023 09:18

If she’s like me, anxiety - probably brought on by the crowded nature of the venue. I’ve got worse now due to perimenopause and I’m at the point of trying to avoid mass gatherings. Try to support your friend so she can still enjoy life’s experiences.

DidIMakeaMistake · 22/12/2023 09:19

Anxiety, a tic, possibly ADHD.

Original poster
Tobenot4 · 22/12/2023 09:19

Whataretheodds · 22/12/2023 09:15

Is this a recent change? Have you asked her how she's doing?

Yes, it's recent. I've been to theatre with her many times before and never noticed her doing it. I haven't asked her if she's all right, she's an extremely private person, but as I said earlier, she seems quite distracted at times lately.

OP posts:
Whataretheodds · 22/12/2023 09:25

She's a friend, there's a recent change in behaviour. Natural thing surely is to ask how she is?

Original poster
Tobenot4 · 23/04/2024 18:40

So an update on this situation. Friend asked to meet me recently, she confided she's feeling really low in herself for the last year. I was shocked how low she actually is, told me she's not coping, she's not all right, but that she can't even cry. There's a couple of events in her life have caused this, but can't really be changed. I spent three hours with her, saying all the right things but I don't know what else I can do other than be there to listen and I told her I'm always there for her. I'm glad I'm there for her - I sensed something was wrong. She's had therapy but said it hasn't worked.

Any suggestions, or is it just a case of being there for her?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page