is this true?

[Irishgirl]

I was told that being ticklish is all in the mind. I wanna know is that true, because I know when I try not to be ticklish if someone is tickling me I cant turn it off. But if anyone knows if its true or not, I would love to hear about it.

 

[TMF Jeff]

It's partly psychological, you've probably noticed that if someone plays head-games with you, it can make you more ticklish, and mood definately affects ticklishness. But it's partly physical too, and a ticklish person is always ticklish to one degree or other.

I've known some moderately ticklish people who could turn it off sometimes, in some places, but I've never known a very ticklish person who could turn it off very effectively.

 

[ticklkitten]

I agree with Jeff 100%. I've noticed that if I am seriously concentrating on something I might not even notice a light tickle in a less ticklish place (believe me, there actually are a couple) or if I'm really pissed off. But for the most part, there's nothing I can do to stop it....

 

[KoocheeKoo]

I tend to agree with Jeff...if someone is extremely ticklish, it's impossible to turn if off.

I've never been able to turn off the ticklishness of my feet or around my waist....although some days I seem to be more ticklish than others (depending on stress, illness, etc).

My younger sister is extremely ticklish, and everywhere (much more ticklish than me). She's also a very strong willed young woman, has tremendous inner strength and determination. Even with all her determination, there's no way sis could ever turn off any of her ticklishness; I've seen her so determined not to laugh when I or a friend would bet her she'd laugh if tickled....only to dissolve into uncontrollable giggles within seconds.

One reason I theorize sis has always hated being tickled so badly? It's her weakness....a weakness she cannot control; someone who's always been in control....but loses all control so quickly when tickled.

 

[WorkInProgress]

Yeah, I agree that there's a mix. There was one woman I was tickling at NEST who, for a minute or two that we got into a conversation, seemed to be too busy formulating her next thought to notice that I was tickling her like crazy, but it's certainly not all in the mind.

 

[justadinosaur]

The mind certainly plays a big role in ticklishness, but telling exactly how much and when is a fuzzy thing.... And only makes it more interesting! As a tickler, I'd say that all the times I've been tickle-playing with a girl, they were feeling comfortable with the thing and safe and connected with me, in a sensual, if not necessarily always romantic way, and then it worked big time! Otherwise there's a barrier to overcome which prevents the body from experiencing sensations in a certain way, and that barrier is raised by a psychological factor of course... Without trust, understanding, interest, no tickling...
And then, if the tickle-game is open, there are all the little ups and downs that makes it more and less intense through time, the roller-coaster... Lots of mind-tricks played there... Your instinct can tell very well it's not just a physical connection that makes it like that!! Which is so nice!
Cheers!

justadinosaur

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

Jeff is right on with this.

I am normally at the upper end the scale with ticklishness. But, there are times when I am either not very ticklish at all (usually when I'm sick or otherwise hurting) or am so ticklish I can't stand the thought of being tickled. The latter times are the most fun/interesting. Other than the truly hyper stage, I can always zone out if I put my mind to it. The thing with me is that, though I can keep from reacting, I'm not really able to keep from feeling it. It just builds up and drives me nuts inside...no matter how calm I may appear on the outside. It's still fun to do just to drive my lers nuts, though.

Ann...wondering if I just signed my death warrant. lol