What does it mean when someone continuously shakes their legs or feet?

Question

Example - if someone is sat at a desk and continuously shake their leg or foot.

I know lots of people who do this, why is it?

(Its not because of the way they are sat, they can stop doing it anytime but subconsiously it just happens)

Thanks for any answers =]

Answer 1

shake syndrome

Answer 2

I think it is called restless leg syndrome.  It is said to be caused by tiredness and many elderly people suffer with it late evening.

Answer 3

Could it be to relieve muscle tension from sitting down for a long time?  It's also a sleep disorder as some people's legs twitch continuously when they are lying in their beds at night.

Answer 4

its just a bad habit that drives some ppl nuts

Answer 5

Your first thought is probably ADD. Most likely they don't have it. Sometimes tapping a pencil, shaking your hand, shaking you're leg, etc help people calm down. Other times it just makes them feel comfortable.

Answer 6

just a habit,

bored...

Answer 7

Anxiety

Answer 8

It can be an indication that the person MIGHT be on Prosac or something similar

Answer 9

Too much coffee?? Some people just can't sit still. Our bodies aren't desinged to sit around for long periods of time. If they were, then exercise would be bad for you!

I personally think that RLS is caused by a lifetime of bad eating habits or taking certain medications over long periods of time or something. It's a relatively new diagnosis and so I think it's new because of the fact that there are so many things in our food, and water that we weren't exposed to years ago that is causing this.

Answer 10

it can be that the person is bored and wants to feel animated or because it's just a habit

Answer 11

I do that. I just get tired of sitting in a desk all day and wish I could jump up and do something fun.

Answer 12

OCD

Answer 13

I do it but I've absolutely no idea why. I usually always do it on a first date so it could simply be nerves. So I do have an idea, so ignore the bit about me saying that I had no idea.

Answer 14

something on their mind.

Answer 15

This happens to me alot

Usually it happens just because im bored and not really thinking about it. The fact that i have ADHD and severe anxiety also contribute to it.

Hope i helped.

Answer 16

Hi Louise,

Three of my brothers do this and it can be quite irritating.

All three have ADD to varying degrees. They are not on

medication. They can control it if they concentrate but this

does not last long. Doctors told my eldest brother it was RLS

twenty years ago.

Here's the Wikipedia explanation:

Restless legs syndrome (RLS, Wittmaack-Ekbom's syndrome, or sometimes, but inaccurately, referred to as Nocturnal myoclonus) is a condition that is characterized by an irresistible urge to move one's legs (occasionally arms or torso). It is described as uncontrollable urges to move the limbs to stop uncomfortable or odd sensations in the body, most commonly in the legs, but can also be in the arms and torso. Moving the affected body part modulates the sensations, providing temporary relief.

Many doctors express the view that the incidence of restless leg syndrome is exaggerated by manufacturers of drugs used to treat it.[1] Other physicians consider it a real entity that has specific diagnostic criteria.[2]

Many people tap their feet or shake their legs resulting from a nervous tic, consumption of stimulants, drug side-effects or other factors; this is usually innocuous, unnoticed, and does not interfere with daily life. Restless leg syndrome is very different. A nervous tic is often unnoticed while in RLS it is very noticeable. RLS causes a sensation in the legs or arms that can most closely be compared to a burning, itching, or tickling sensation in the muscles.

Answer 17

it usually means they are agitated/annoyed