Stress & Essential Tremor

How Stress affects your body?

If you're constantly under stress, you can experience physical symptoms such as headaches, an upset stomach, high blood pressure, chest pain, sleep problems, and worsened tremors.
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Stress can also lead to emotional problems, including depression, panic attacks, and other forms of anxiety and worry.
Physical Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety
  • Rapid Heart Rate
  • Muscle tension
  • Chronic Fatigue ​
  • Headaches 
  • Tremors intensify 
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Nausea and dizziness
  • Weight gain or loss
  • Bowel Changes
  • Skin breakouts, eczema
  • Loss of sex drive
  • Frequent flu/cold​
Emotional Symptoms of Stress
  • Depression
  • Continuous Apprehension
  • Constant worry
  • Mood Fluctuations:
  • Restlessness
  • Short temper
  • Impatient
  • Fear
  • ​Hiding from the world
Cognitive Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety
  • Memory Lapses
  • Difficulty Concentrating
  • Racing Thoughts
  • Brain Fog
  • Poor Judgment
  • ​Forgetfulness
Behavioral Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety
  • Eating more or less
  • ​Sleep Disturbances
  • Isolating yourself from others
  • Nervous bad habits
  • Neglecting Responsibilities
  • ​Negative Self-Esteem
  • ​​Constant Worrying
  • Anger
  • Loneliness
  • ​Lack of control

Stress and Anxiety, Living with ET

Living with Essential Tremor (ET) can be a challenging social experience. Being in public can feel embarrassing and lead to increased stress and anxiety. Simple activities such as holding a glass, eating, and walking can become uncomfortable due to balance issues. 

As a result, many people with ET try to hide their trembling hands or choose to stay home instead.

What triggers stress with ET?
  • You feel under lots of pressure and are being scrutinized even by friends and family.
  • You don't have control over the outcome of a situation.
  • You experience discrimination, bullying, hate, or abuse.
  • Confrontations or stares from people who do not understand your tremors.
  • Social interaction: 
  • Workplace Demands: Tight deadlines, heavy workloads, or difficult colleagues.
  • Financial Strain: Managing debt, inflation, or unexpected bills.
  • Relationships: Family, Friends, caregiving responsibilities
  • Major Life Changes: Moving, starting a new job, or navigating a divorce, death of a loved one.
  • Everyday Hassles, Living with ET: Cooking, dressing, filling out forms, texting, computers. 
What can you do to help avoid stress?
Everyone has some kind of stress. When stress continues, Essential Tremor can become worse.
How you cope with stress involves learning ways to manage your stress.
  • Talk to your doctor
  • Meditate
  • Connect and talk with others living with ET, support groups
  • Try yoga
  • ​Get enough sleep
  • Be aware of triggers: 
  • Identify the Source: Log your symptoms and emotions as they happen to pinpoint your unique pattern.
  • Evaluate Control: Determine what aspects of the stressor you can control and what you cannot. 
  • Don’t hold your stress and anxiety in: Try to realize that stress is a part of life and you are not different from everyone in the world.
  • Build Habits: Incorporate regular nervous system regulation methods, such as deep breathing, exercise, or seeking professional support during overwhelming times.
  • Eat a well-balanced diet
  • Laugh more
So how do you manage your life after Essential Tremor invades and takes over your body?
  • One of the first things is to relax. Easier said than done, but it doesn't have to be that difficult. Stop trying to hide your tremors and tell people what ET is. Take time for yourself and find a spot where you feel calm.​
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  • If you have a doctor's appointment, have someone fill out the paperwork ahead of time or ask a nurse to help. Do not be afraid to ask for help.
  • Try not to put yourself in uncomfortable situations. Try to prepare. Think about whether you are going to lunch with friends and have one of them assist you. Ask for help.
Last but not least, laughter can be the best medicine. Relax and don't think everyone is laughing at you. Let them laugh with you. The old joke that, when living with ET, you have to have your green peas with mashed potatoes is right on. It is also all right to use a sippy cup when you are out in public.
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Remember you are not alone
Please share how you handle ET stress. Team DSF

This page provides general info only.  Consult your medical provider for care decisions.
Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor