The Ultimate Body Language Book

Extreme anxiety causes the desire to control the pain by inflicting it against ourselves. It gives back our
sense of control. People who resort to ‘cutting’ also seek to displace their anxiety and control it.
Energy displacement isn’t just for athletes, it happens all over the place from the boardroom to the
classroom. We see people rubbing their hands together in excitement or wringing their hands showing
inner turmoil and in during extreme stress, pacing, or even self inflicted pain such as ear pulling,
scratching, or pinching. Energy displacement allows for a controlled release of tension without creating
fatigue. Energy displacement is akin to the natural high that is achieved through punishing physical