I remember growing up, sitting in our living room watching my dad, and his brothers all talking, their legs bouncing up and down like they were possessed. I never understood why this happened. My mum told me as a child that any kind of loose leg movement would result in the death of a loved one. God bless superstition!  Little did I know that as I grew up, I too would suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome. I am not kept awake by it, and I don't think it is a discomfort thing either. It is actually just something my leg does. I manage to keep it under wraps at home or in company, but at work, with my legs under a desk, they go like the clappers. 

Never both legs at the same time, that would be mental. But the gentle bounce quickly escalates into a full blown attack. I often feel like Thumper in the Disney film Bambi. 

I am not sure if this is an indicator of our society's hypochondria. I am sure those who are kept awake by the pain probably view it as an illness or disease, but mine isn't pain based. It seems to be boredom based. In a way maybe that makes mine ridiculous. If it is not pain based, why do I do it? Maybe I should talk to my doctor about it...or NHS Direct before they close it down. 

Hypochondriacs of the world need to unite to stop this valuable service being taken from us !

- Anand