Can anxiety lead to shaky hands and head?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have shivering in my body, more in my hands and head. Recently, it has increased, and my heart beat increases when I try to hide it from others. I am feeling ashamed of my habit. Initially, the shivering would start only when I took alcohol, but nowadays, it starts irrespective of alcohol consumption. I am not a regular drinker, and I do not have any bad habits.

Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

You are suffering from a tremor. It is an unintentional, rhythmic muscle movement of one or more body parts and can affect the hands, arms, head, face, voice, trunk, and legs. It can also be a symptom of a neurological disorder or appear as a side effect of certain drugs.

The common causes include:

Drugs like Salbutamol, Amphetamines, Corticosteroids, and drugs used for certain psychiatric disorders.
Multiple sclerosis, or cerebellar disorders.
Stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Alcohol abuse or withdrawal.
Thyroid disorders.
Familial benign tremors.
Anxiety.

However, at your age, the most common causes are anxiety, drugs, alcohol or substance abuse, or hyperthyroidism. Have you taken any injections in the past for vomiting? Did the tremors start after a fever? Are you taking medications for any conditions?

I suggest you get a thyroid profile and fasting blood sugar done. If the reports are normal and no other cause is found, you probably have anxiety tremors. If that is the case, I suggest you start anti-anxiety drugs like tablet Etizolam or beta blockers like Propanolol. Consult a specialist doctor, talk to him or her and start the medicines with their consent.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.