Treasure is a physical manifestation that can generate concern and significantly influence the quality of life of those who experience it. When combining anxiety, it can create a vicious circle where emotional malaise intensifies physical symptoms. In this article we will explore what essential tremor is, its symptoms and causes, the relationship between tremor and anxiety, and effective strategies to manage these symptoms when they are related to emotional stress states.
What is essential tremor
According to a systematic revision of 2021, the essential tremor is one of the most common neurological disorders, characterized by a rhythmic oscillation of antagonistic muscle groups, with a variable frequency of 4-12 Hz (Song et al., 2021). Unlike other types of tremors, such as those associated with Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor is typically manifested during voluntary movements, such as when writing, you drink from a glass or use tools, and not at rest.
Although it can be a source of concern and influence the quality of life, it is important to understand that it is not a condition that endangers life. Often, the people who experience it feel anxious or embarrassed for tremors, which can create a vicious circle in which anxiety worsens physical symptoms.
Symptoms of essential tremor
The symptoms of essential tremor can vary from person to person, but generally include:
- Rhythmic tremors in the hands, which are often more evident when trying to perform precise tasks.
- It can affect the head, manifesting itself as a “yes-sì” or “no-no” movement.
- The voice can play trembling or broken.
- In less common cases, it may affect the legs or trunk.
These symptoms can worsen with emotional stress, tiredness, caffeine or extreme temperatures. Recognizing these patterns is an important first step to understanding the condition and looking for appropriate management strategies.
Causes and risk factors of the essential tremor
Although the exact cause of the essential tremor is not completely understood, it is believed that it is related to an anomalous communication in certain areas of the brain, such as the cerebellum, which controls muscle coordination. In about half of the cases, the condition seems to have a genetic component and is transmitted by parents to children.
The main risk factor is age, since it is more common in people over 40 years old, even if it may appear at any age. It is essential to understand that, while anxiety does not cause essential tremor, it can act as a powerful symptom amplifier, making tremors more intense and frequent in times of stress.
Types of tremor
The tremor is defined as a “succession of more or less rapid and mostly rhythmic, involuntary and spontaneous and spontaneous movements, caused by an alternation of contractions and relaxation of antagonistic muscle groups.”
Depending on the situation in which the tremor manifests itself, we can talk about:
- Rest tremor: When there is no muscle tension present
- action tremor: when there is a muscle contraction which, in turn, can distinguish tremor in kinetic (when there is movement) or postural (when he maintains a posture).
Tremors can be classified in:
- physiological tremor: caused by factors such as sleep deprivation, exercise, tiredness, maintenance of fixed posture
- pathological tremor: caused by some pathologies such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, hyperthyroidism, essential tremore, abstinence or drug effects on the body and the nervous system, the effect of psychoactive substances such as caffeine
- iatrogen tremor: caused by taking some categories of drugs
- Psychogen or functional tremor: caused by psychological factors such as anxiety (for example panic attacks) and stress (it can happen to tremble when you are shaken).
The peculiarity of the latter type of tremor, to which we can refer when we talk about tremors and anxiety, is that it decreases when the patient is distracted and less concentrated on the stressful factor.
Essential tremor and anxiety
The essential tremor is often confused with Parkinson’s disease, but It is not a type of invalidating tremorwhile being able to condition the life of the person who suffers from it. It is characterized by a rhythmic tremor that It occurs during voluntary movements or when trying to maintain a position against the force of gravity.
A rather widespread form of tremor is the psychogenic one, linked to psychological factors such as anxiety or stress. This motor demonstration can occur in case of social anxiety, agoraphobia, performance anxiety, anticipatory anxiety, generalized anxiety, and in any case as part of the symptomatological framework of all anxogenic manifestations.
Types of anxiety tremor
Anxiety tremors They may affect different parts of the body and different organs. The person who experiences them will be able to hear them:
- tremor to the head
- tremor in the oral or peroral region (mouth, chin and neighboring areas)
- chest tremors
- tremor in the hands
- neck trees
- tremor in the limbs (legs and arms)
Quite widespread is the tremor in the orbital and periorbital region (eyes and eyelids). Other symptoms which highlight an acute anxiety disorder by tremors I am:
- mouth
- weakness
- palpitations, sweat
- sense of fainting, thickness of the head, confusion
- Spasms, tinnitus
- lack of breath.
Anxiety and tremors can manifest themselves at any time of the day or night. The expression of an anxiety disorder is in fact subjective in times, ways and intensity.
Diagnosis of essential tremor
The diagnosis of essential tremor is mainly based on the clinical evaluation carried out by a healthcare professional, generally a neurologist. There is no blood test or a specific brain scan to confirm it.
The diagnostic process usually involves:
- A detailed review of medical and family history.
- A neurological examination to evaluate the functioning of the nervous system.
- Observation of the tremors and situations in which they appear.
- Sometimes, blood tests or imaging studies can be requested to exclude other medical conditions that can cause tremors, such as thyroid problems.
Receiving clear diagnosis can be a relief and is the first step to find the most effective management strategies.
How to calm anxiety tremor
Is it possible to fight anxiety tremors? For many of the types characterized by tremor there is no definitive and univocal cure, because Much depends on the causes identified in the diagnostic phase.
Some types of pathological tremor respond to drug therapy, surgical ablation techniques or localized ultrasound.
Tremors due to anxiety can respond well to some practices learned through the help of specialists (with the possibility of independently) and with the Support of psychological therapy.
Anxiety tremor: natural remedies
As we have seen, tremors and anxiety are a physical and psychological response to a strong emotional stress. Anxiety, agitation and tremor, however, can be managed with some natural remedies e relaxation techniques.
Here’s how to pass anxiety tremore with natural remedies:
- practice diaphragmatic breathing
- carry out autogenous training exercises and mindfulness exercises for anxiety
- spend time outdoors and, possibly, in natural contexts, for example enjoying the benefits of the sea on our body
- lead a healthy lifestyle, limiting the consumption of caffeine, eliminating smoking and following a balanced diet.
Anxiety tremor: the remedies of psychology
“Why are they when I am in trial anxiety?” The anxiety tremor is revealing of the person’s emotional state and should not be underestimated. Indeed, it can be an opportunity to recognize and face anxiety disorder and the mechanisms that underlie it, such as the fear of losing control or mobble, with the help of a specialist, as a unabble online psychologist.
Among the various types of psychotherapy, an effective approach is that of cognitive-behavioral therapy, which works on the understanding of the mechanisms of anxiety disorder, on negative automatic thoughts and the avoidance of anxiety-making situations.
Through the acceptance and listening to one’s emotions, supported by a professional, as a psychologist with experience in anxiety disorders, it will be possible to trace the causes of anxiety tremor, learn to manage anxiety and tremor, limiting their intensity, frequency and effects on the quality of life.
The essential tremor can be managed
Living with essential tremor, especially when it is aggravated by anxiety, can be a challenge. However, it is a condition that can be managed. Understanding its nature, differentiating it from other causes of tremor and learning to manage triggering factors such as stress are fundamental steps towards well -being.
If you feel that tremors and anxiety are influencing your daily life, remember that you don’t have to face it yourself. A mental health professional can help you develop tools to manage anxiety, which in turn can have a positive impact on physical symptoms. If you are considering taking the first step, in Unbravo we can help you. Start the questionnaire to find your psychologist online and find out how a professional can accompany you in your path to balance.
