ABSTRACT
Embarrassed Hands is a symptom of very frequent occurrence among young people, but also quite frequent in adults-that they do not know what to do with their hands. An inexplicable feeling compels those thus troubled to occupy their hands somehow, but they never find the suitable employment. Many people get themselves out of this difficulty by hiding their hands under the table or in their pockets; others clench their fists or hold their hands and arms in some awkward position. The compulsion to occupy the hands is only the displaced expression of insufficiently repressed tendencies, and at the same time the attempt to rationalize it. The peculiar phantasy of being watched is to be explained by the repressed desire for exhibitionism that primarily had reference to the genitals and was then displaced to the few remaining exposed parts of the body (face and hands).
