Thanks,
Shaking

From time to time, many people experience shaking due to anxious feelings. These moments of shaking only become a problem when it disrupts one's daily life. Certain situations and concerns can trigger this physical symptom of excessive shaking for short periods of time. Examples of such situations and concerns include fears of:

• test taking
• addressing large groups
• interacting with people unfamiliar to you
• not meeting expectations you set for yourself

As these situations and worries dissipate, the symptoms usually do, as well. Other short-lived bursts of the emotional and physical symptoms associated with anxiety include:

• shaking, trembling, or twitching
• breathlessness or rapid heartbeat
• excessive startle reflex
• sweating or cold, clammy hands
• restlessness, irritability, or feeling on edge
• excessive worrying
• fatigue

Based on what you have written, your shaking episodes seem to coincide with school-related periods of stress; it could be surmised that the shaking is a physical manifestation of a strong emotion. To be certain of the cause of your shaking, schedule a medical exam with Health Services at Columbia (call x4-2284 for an appointment) or your personal primary care provider, if you are more comfortable with him/her. A medical exam could determine if your shaking is related to a more serious neurological condition. In addition, if the shaking is due to stress and it's really starting to get in the way of your life, there may be some treatments available to you.

Of course, right now you could look into stress-busting techniques, such as deep relaxation, meditation, or breathing exercises, which may also help with your shaking. If these do not work or work well enough, then you need to speak with a medical professional.

Excessive amounts of caffeine (in coffee, tea, or chocolate) or alcohol can contribute to shaking. If you use these substances, cut back and see if the trembling stops or lessens. Similarly, over-the-counter medications, such as decongestants and certain cold remedies, can also cause shaking, as can some prescription drugs. Talk about these with your medical provider if they apply to you.

For any additional info about tremors, you can visit this site:

"Hand Tremor" info from MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia web site: Service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health