Essential tremor

Benign tremor, familial tremor

What is essential tremor?

Essential tremor is a condition in which a person experiences involuntary shaking of parts of their body.

What causes essential tremor?

The exact cause of essential tremor is unclear but it is known that it runs in families and that the severity of the condition increases with age, stress, a lack of sleep and caffeine.

What are the symptoms of essential tremor?

The main symptom of essential tremor is involuntary shaking of the hands, head, legs, voice or jaw which usually occurs when a person is trying to do something and subsides when they are resting.

Are you affected by essential tremor?

If you’re affected by essential tremor, The Brain Charity can support you.

We are the only charity in the UK to be here for every one of the more than 600 different neurological conditions in existence. Individually, many are rare, but combined, they affect 1 in 6 people.

We provide practical help on all aspects of living with essential tremor, emotional support such as counselling, phone befriending and group therapy and social activities to people with essential tremor from all over the UK from our centre in Liverpool.

Looking to talk to someone?

Woman smiling, making eye contact and holding the hand of another woman to comfort her

Phone us

Contact The Brain Charity now

Our friendly Information & Advice Officers are here to help. We endeavour to respond to all enquiries within 10 working days.

0151 298 2999

Looking to talk to someone?

  • Please tell us which neurological condition you are affected by and what you need support with.

Caring for someone with essential tremor

We support carers, friends and family too

Are you a carer for or relative of someone with essential tremor? It’s just as important for you to look after your own physical and mental wellbeing too.

The Brain Charity provides free support for carers, friends and family of people with any form of neurological condition, including essential tremor, from anywhere in the UK.

We also run an additional carers advocacy service for all carers in Liverpool, regardless of which type of condition the person they care for has.

You don’t need to be a formal or registered carer

We can help you even if you don’t view yourself as a formal carer or claim Carer’s Allowance. Find out some of the ways we support carers below.

Carer support from The Brain Charity in Liverpool Practical help

Support for carers

All The Brain Charity's services are free for carers and family members of people with neurological conditions too.
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Socialising at The Brain Charity Emotional support

Helping carers plan for the future

The Brain Charity is helping carers take care now and look to the future.
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Other resources

The Brain Charity's library

The library at The Brain Charity has a range of resources on essential tremor and on a wide-range of disability related issues.

Visit our library to read:

Essential Tremor by NHS Choices (Corporate)

Essential Tremor And Ageing by Roger Elble

Biofeedback With Essential Tremor by Craig Schreiter

or search the online catalogue here.

Support groups

National Tremor Foundation Facebook support group

Facebook group where those affected by the condition can share their experiences and support each other.
Website: www.facebook.com/groups/624447414609460
Phone: 01708386399
Email: enquiries@tremor.org.uk

Support groups at The Brain Charity

Are you interested in setting up an essential tremor support group, or do you already run one? Email activities@thebraincharity.org.uk to let us know.

Alternatively, you can check out our list of related support groups here.

Other charities

The National Tremor Foundation

Aims to provide support and information to those affected by any form of tremor and also promotes research in the area.

Website: tremor.org.uk
Phone: 01708386399
Email: enquiries@tremor.org.uk