Kid can't stop humming

[NicksDad]

My 10 year old son is healthy and happy thanks to God.  He is very intelligent, however, he is excessively shy around adults.  Over the past few months he has developed a habit of making random bursts of humming noises.  He does it throughout the day and during all activities.  It sounds like short robot like noises and he says he can't control it.  He tries not to do it, but has no success and he said he is worried about it himself.  Any suggestions?

[margypops]

thats true and it happens when children arent ADHD aswell I know someone who does it if he feels uncomfortable about a subject others are talking about, he starts humming quietly ,he has no disorder, in fact he is a computer whizz.....

[mmelton74]

My eight year old hums to himself all the time. His doctor says it is because he has ADHD and it helps him tune out other things around him that might distract him.

[supermomma531]

It sounds like a tic of some sort. It's a habit that could stem from anxiety issues. You said that he is excessively shy around adults. Do you know when it started? Think back to when it started and see if you can remember what the situation was like. Have you tried to take him a child psychologist or your family doctor? They should be able to help you to see if there is something that needs to be done. It seriously sounds like a anxiety issue. I hope this helps. Good Luck.

[margypops]

I have seen this in children usually if they feel uncomfortable they can do it if someone is arguing it is a way of literally tuning out. I bet it happens when others ,maybe adults are having a' busy' conversation, also if he is occupied, I dont believe its of any concern I havent seen anything come of it. Maybe they grow out of it but I have seen a couple of adults do it....

[msgenevieve]

It can become very distressful and embarrassing, triggering anxiety when they can't stop it.

I am a perfect example of this.

[specialmom]

I'm sorry to hear you are having this issue.  My son has tics and it is stressful for him as well.  He doesn't really want to do it but can't stop.  He doesn't hum a tune but he hums a sound. And he does it a lot. And he does it when it is silent and there is a speaker or something like that too.  Which makes him feel self conscious during school, church, etc.  He's tried switching lately to a breathing exercise.  It is helping him with the hum. I'm thrilled because while he breathes in and out and you can hear it, it's much less tic sounding than the hum.  More socially acceptable. He's making a conscious effort to do it instead.  Could you do something like that?