Head tremors or shaking when anxious

Do you have it? Do you think that is a weird symptom to have of anxiety?

I get like that when i'm in a situation where being stared at or scrutinised is very real, eg in a waiting room with people facing my or looking in my direction, or when people talk to me. It is very frustrating because my neck at the base of my skull feels like it's being wrung and I have moments of intense fear that eclipse any logic, any freedom to think, any composure, and I don't care if i'm blushing or sweating because this twitching makes me feel like i'm losing control and i'm humiliating myself.

So I think that subconsciusly, my biggest fear is of people laughing at me, as it's a sign of weakness and of loss of control of one's body, not to mention it looks peculiar. I can't explain it but the moment my head twitches it feels like the worst feeling in the world, especially when people are looking. What do you think when you see some one who isn't of the age that experiences Alzheimer's, who has a head twitch or shaking in the head? Would you think that's from nerves? And what is your honest opinion of a person's opinion who does not suffer from anxiety and who therefore isn't as understanding.

I dont think its a weird symptom of Anxiety. thats what anxiety makes people do, its the definition of it. and yeah i do have that, only when i am feeling self-concious and thinking about people looking at me, sometime i have to tell myself quickly in my mind to not care about others around me.

Waybuloo,

I'm glad u are posting that because i can relate so much with twiching head and shaking hands. I experience this at public places often. In waiting rooms, shops, facing people if i talk to them, is like i shake whole and i wonder if they can see it? Do u think they can? Because i think they can see it this twiching Well i hope not but i doubt about it they don't.

Well what i would think about the person which isn't so understanding? Well i would think this person is selfish and don't have much nice personality if is laughing to that or make it fun of it! Yes i think Alzheimer can come from nerves because i experienced Alzheimer in my family my granny did had it
and her Alzheimer become much stronger if she lost her only one loved son. If he die she get worse condition.

popolala said:

I dont think its a weird symptom of Anxiety. thats what anxiety makes people do, its the definition of it. and yeah i do have that, only when i am feeling self-concious and thinking about people looking at me, sometime i have to tell myself quickly in my mind to not care about others around me.

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It's just that I blushing, sweating and even general shaking and shaky hands or legs have been described as anxiety symptoms and I don't really see shaky head as one, so I just thought that I am very weird. Does it stop you doing things? Right now that's about the most important factor preventing me talking to people.

DespairSoul said:

Waybuloo,

I'm glad u are posting that because i can relate so much with twiching head and shaking hands. I experience this at public places often. In waiting rooms, shops, facing people if i talk to them, is like i shake whole and i wonder if they can see it? Do u think they can? Because i think they can see it this twiching Well i hope not but i doubt about it they don't.

Well what i would think about the person which isn't so understanding? Well i would think this person is selfish and don't have much nice personality if is laughing to that or make it fun of it! Yes i think Alzheimer can come from nerves because i experienced Alzheimer in my family my granny did had it
and her Alzheimer become much stronger if she lost her only one loved son. If he die she get worse condition.

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Yes my twitchy head syndrome has been there for a long time, but recenlty i've noticed my whole body shake sometimes. I'm not so bothered about that, because to me a shaky head looks worse. I jsut had the worst shaking experience today in a waiting room with 9 people, in a small room, with no distraction except that everytime someone figets or does something, everybody looks, and people are sat around facing eachother, with nothing to do except stare. scary !

My grandmother had a degenerative illness but i'm not sure if it's Alzheimer's. I think that nervous tension runs in the family so i'm not surprised that I get things like this.

The people I've talked to have said that in severe cases they shake/twitch during an anxiety/panic attack. I usually shake in moments I feel anxious. Shaking (depending on the degree of shaking) can be noticeable, which can make the situation worse.

When I start noticing my shaking, if I can, I get up and walk around for a moment. If I'm in school I excuse myself to go to the bathroom, If in a social gathering I walk over to the opposite side of the room to get something, etc. It gives me a few moments to gather my thoughts and try to take a few deep breaths without worrying that people are staring at me.

Sometimes there isn't an opportunity to walk around, in fact, doing so can cause higher anxiety (they're watching me walk, they probably think I'm trying to hide, etc..). It depends on the situation for me.

Once my eye started twitching so badly that someone actually pointed it out and asked me about it. I couldn't answer because of the intense embarrassment and anxiety, but when I calmed down I explained that I wasn't feeling well.

It's natural for anyone to shake/twitch when feeling nervous, even the most confident people get nervous once in a blue moon. I know it's extremely hard to do at the moment it happens, but try to remind yourself that it's probably not as noticeable as you think.

Waybuloo said:

It's just that I blushing, sweating and even general shaking and shaky hands or legs have been described as anxiety symptoms and I don't really see shaky head as one, so I just thought that I am very weird. Does it stop you doing things? Right now that's about the most important factor preventing me talking to people.



Yes my twitchy head syndrome has been there for a long time, but recenlty i've noticed my whole body shake sometimes. I'm not so bothered about that, because to me a shaky head looks worse. I jsut had the worst shaking experience today in a waiting room with 9 people, in a small room, with no distraction except that everytime someone figets or does something, everybody looks, and people are sat around facing eachother, with nothing to do except stare. scary !

My grandmother had a degenerative illness but i'm not sure if it's Alzheimer's. I think that nervous tension runs in the family so i'm not surprised that I get things like this.

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Well i'm not sure what shake on me the most i think some how i shake all? The most hands and body like over all. About head i think she don't shake so much visual i think at least. Well both isn't looking good i think to people which don't understand because they make think i'm alcoholic on recovering or on drugs and this let me feel really ashamed Yes in small room is worse coz is hard to don't look at each other also in mini shop etc. for me. If is big one i can shaking little hide. Because people are distracted with stuff and don't care about one shaky-shake- milk-shake lol? Well sorry i must little make fun of myself but for other side i feel bad. Well nice to hear u aren't bothered with shaking i'm because i think people really can think weird stuff about me cuz of it. Well my mother is natural nerves person or if i may say nerves wreck and hands shake her now even more because she is older. Well granny had very bad Alzheimer she couldn't recognize who we are.

Secretsophie said:

The people I've talked to have said that in severe cases they shake/twitch during an anxiety/panic attack. I usually shake in moments I feel anxious. Shaking (depending on the degree of shaking) can be noticeable, which can make the situation worse.

When I start noticing my shaking, if I can, I get up and walk around for a moment. If I'm in school I excuse myself to go to the bathroom, If in a social gathering I walk over to the opposite side of the room to get something, etc. It gives me a few moments to gather my thoughts and try to take a few deep breaths without worrying that people are staring at me.

Sometimes there isn't an opportunity to walk around, in fact, doing so can cause higher anxiety (they're watching me walk, they probably think I'm trying to hide, etc..). It depends on the situation for me.

Once my eye started twitching so badly that someone actually pointed it out and asked me about it. I couldn't answer because of the intense embarrassment and anxiety, but when I calmed down I explained that I wasn't feeling well.

It's natural for anyone to shake/twitch when feeling nervous, even the most confident people get nervous once in a blue moon. I know it's extremely hard to do at the moment it happens, but try to remind yourself that it's probably not as noticeable as you think.

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I try not to let shaking bother me or stop me from doing things, but it's hard to do because it seems to be an ingrained thing, and my conscious mind can't will it away. It seems to have been programmed to occur when i'm being looked at.

I know what you mean about getting up and walk. I do all sorts of distractions like figet, or move my body around in order to break the intensity in my head, and to cover up any shaking already occurring. However sometimes the act of distraction brings me anxiety too, so i'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

My therapist wanted me to just let go and try not to control the shaking, since my body trying to suppress it makes it even more fearful and uncontrollable. I find the idea so daunting.

I can accept that shaking happens once in a while, but I do it everytime i'm with people. Today I noticed my heart having a tight sensation. I'm worried that this is taking a toll on my body...

Secretsophie said:

The people I've talked to have said that in severe cases they shake/twitch during an anxiety/panic attack. I usually shake in moments I feel anxious. Shaking (depending on the degree of shaking) can be noticeable, which can make the situation worse.

When I start noticing my shaking, if I can, I get up and walk around for a moment. If I'm in school I excuse myself to go to the bathroom, If in a social gathering I walk over to the opposite side of the room to get something, etc. It gives me a few moments to gather my thoughts and try to take a few deep breaths without worrying that people are staring at me.

Sometimes there isn't an opportunity to walk around, in fact, doing so can cause higher anxiety (they're watching me walk, they probably think I'm trying to hide, etc..). It depends on the situation for me.

Once my eye started twitching so badly that someone actually pointed it out and asked me about it. I couldn't answer because of the intense embarrassment and anxiety, but when I calmed down I explained that I wasn't feeling well.

It's natural for anyone to shake/twitch when feeling nervous, even the most confident people get nervous once in a blue moon. I know it's extremely hard to do at the moment it happens, but try to remind yourself that it's probably not as noticeable as you think.

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Secretsophie,

U have nice tactic for it Walk and get up, well i would go bathroom if i will feel is unbearable and they are staring to much. That's too. Exactly as u said sometimes isn't opportunity get up and walk (they're watching me walk, they probably think I'm trying to hide, etc) which actually isn't in bus? What u do at those times if isn't opportunity escape from unbearable situation? I will like to figure out learn twiching and shaking more controling:/ It's possible?

Yes. It's exactly what I deal with. I have to actually hold my face.... It happens when I sit in meetings. It happens when I'm sitting in the busy newsroom... I'm glad I know of someone else that has this problem. It's been with me since I was 13. That's 11 years, lol, wow. It's the scariest feeling in the world....

Waybuloo said:

I try not to let shaking bother me or stop me from doing things, but it's hard to do because it seems to be an ingrained thing, and my conscious mind can't will it away. It seems to have been programmed to occur when i'm being looked at.

I know what you mean about getting up and walk. I do all sorts of distractions like figet, or move my body around in order to break the intensity in my head, and to cover up any shaking already occurring. However sometimes the act of distraction brings me anxiety too, so i'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

My therapist wanted me to just let go and try not to control the shaking, since my body trying to suppress it makes it even more fearful and uncontrollable. I find the idea so daunting.

I can accept that shaking happens once in a while, but I do it everytime i'm with people. Today I noticed my heart having a tight sensation. I'm worried that this is taking a toll on my body...

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I feel exactly as you do. But...the more I feel it, the more I don't want to go into work or be around people. It's terrifying.

Waybuloo said:

Do you have it? Do you think that is a weird symptom to have of anxiety?

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Yes well tremors but not shaking, and at first I thought it was a weird symptom to have. Like you say it's not something which is listed amongst the other more prominent signs like blushing sweating ect I even mentioned it to doctors and got a vacant look.

I remember when my anxiety first flared up. I was staying in a hostel and felt so concious every time I was sat downstairs with like 10 other people. I would get these like sudden jolts of movement in my neck or arm. Only really small ones, but they made me feel so horribly self concious. I started to think my nervous system was damaged or something.

But I think when we get have acute anxiety, it's easy to get so tense, your muscles kind of seize up and it really affects your posture and stuff as you can't relax. The more you try and control it the worse it gets. I get really stiff when I walk too, again because I worry everyone is looking at me, so I kind of try and control how I walk..instead of walking naturally. I get the exact same neck/head tremors. But yeah it's horrible, not feeling in control of your own body.

I have noticed that if I´m drinking something, while being nervous and with people, my head gets so tense that its kind of shanking..?! Like, when I put the cup to my mouth and start sipping the tea, my head shakes a little...

nicole1 said:

Yes. It's exactly what I deal with. I have to actually hold my face.... It happens when I sit in meetings. It happens when I'm sitting in the busy newsroom... I'm glad I know of someone else that has this problem. It's been with me since I was 13. That's 11 years, lol, wow. It's the scariest feeling in the world....

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Same here Nicole, it's been with me for a long time, about 10 years. All started when I was a teen, whilst at the bus stop, having people walking towards me and I felt like I had to look back at them as I thought they were staring me down, and then a twitch happened and I felt so humiliated. The next time it happened was during a presentation in class, where I just lost it and it followed me till the present. I think you are brave to have dealt with it for so long, like I. It is a tremendous effort for people like us to deal with normal things that require being with people. Social anxiety is one thing, having nothing to say is another, and then head twitching is a nice icing on the cake.

Danfalc said:

Yes well tremors but not shaking, and at first I thought it was a weird symptom to have. Like you say it's not something which is listed amongst the other more prominent signs like blushing sweating ect I even mentioned it to doctors and got a vacant look.

I remember when my anxiety first flared up. I was staying in a hostel and felt so concious every time I was sat downstairs with like 10 other people. I would get these like sudden jolts of movement in my neck or arm. Only really small ones, but they made me feel so horribly self concious. I started to think my nervous system was damaged or something.

But I think when we get have acute anxiety, it's easy to get so tense, your muscles kind of seize up and it really affects your posture and stuff as you can't relax. The more you try and control it the worse it gets. I get really stiff when I walk too, again because I worry everyone is looking at me, so I kind of try and control how I walk..instead of walking naturally. I get the exact same neck/head tremors. But yeah it's horrible, not feeling in control of your own body.

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I told Doctors too in the past and they just looked at me weirdly. Well that put me at ease for telling any other health professional ever again I do think this is my body having a reaction, an outlet if you like, to what I feel inside.

Nanita said:

I have noticed that if I´m drinking something, while being nervous and with people, my head gets so tense that its kind of shanking..?! Like, when I put the cup to my mouth and start sipping the tea, my head shakes a little...

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I get the same. If I am fine sitting there, by the time I lift a cup up to my mouth, my head will be shaking or wanting to shake. It's weird, I think it's because drinking it would draw attention to me more, or that if I hold a cup to my head and I shake, the whole cup will spill and shake. Hence I hate it when I visit somewhere and they offer my a cup of tea..

Waybuloo said:

Same here Nicole, it's been with me for a long time, about 10 years. All started when I was a teen, whilst at the bus stop, having people walking towards me and I felt like I had to look back at them as I thought they were staring me down, and then a twitch happened and I felt so humiliated. The next time it happened was during a presentation in class, where I just lost it and it followed me till the present. I think you are brave to have dealt with it for so long, like I. It is a tremendous effort for people like us to deal with normal things that require being with people. Social anxiety is one thing, having nothing to say is another, and then head twitching is a nice icing on the cake.



I told Doctors too in the past and they just looked at me weirdly. Well that put me at ease for telling any other health professional ever again I do think this is my body having a reaction, an outlet if you like, to what I feel inside.



I get the same. If I am fine sitting there, by the time I lift a cup up to my mouth, my head will be shaking or wanting to shake. It's weird, I think it's because drinking it would draw attention to me more, or that if I hold a cup to my head and I shake, the whole cup will spill and shake. Hence I hate it when I visit somewhere and they offer my a cup of tea..

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As far as telling someone...no one got it. No one understood or listened. Presentations were worse. Some professors understood. It would have to be an extreme case for me to tell ANYONE. I experience the same with drinking anything. I'm sure people have notice when I do this- put the drink to my lips and not sip.
It's scary. And sometimes, I do more than I am capable of doing. Which is a super pain. I hate this.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that has this. I always thought I was.

I had a girl notice my hand trembling one time. She asked "Why are you shaking?' Of course this didn't help, it made me even more nervous and self concious. I've learned how to control it though where it rarely ever happens anymore.

Waybuloo said:

Do you have it? Do you think that is a weird symptom to have of anxiety?

I get like that when i'm in a situation where being stared at or scrutinised is very real, eg in a waiting room with people facing my or looking in my direction, or when people talk to me. It is very frustrating because my neck at the base of my skull feels like it's being wrung and I have moments of intense fear that eclipse any logic, any freedom to think, any composure, and I don't care if i'm blushing or sweating because this twitching makes me feel like i'm losing control and i'm humiliating myself.

So I think that subconsciusly, my biggest fear is of people laughing at me, as it's a sign of weakness and of loss of control of one's body, not to mention it looks peculiar. I can't explain it but the moment my head twitches it feels like the worst feeling in the world, especially when people are looking. What do you think when you see some one who isn't of the age that experiences Alzheimer's, who has a head twitch or shaking in the head? Would you think that's from nerves? And what is your honest opinion of a person's opinion who does not suffer from anxiety and who therefore isn't as understanding.

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Got to say I start to shake when I get around people and they just start to look my way. I fumble words and even stutter even just saying hello (when ever talking to women it gets worse). The biggest is when I begin to talk to my self not a fun way to talk to people by answering my question I ask them or start to laugh loudly or talk loudly. No reason just when I have anxiety. When I am around people. I also find it hard to sit still around certain people. Well thats just me others may have something different and I also tend to argue with people also because of my anxiety. I hope seeing a new psychologist helps. A lot just are pill pushers and don't really care. So I say unto you this is my anxiety.

Hey guys,

I have also had this head-shaking problem since I was about 14 (I am 20 now) and it has caused me great stress. I recently went to a psychiatrist because I was about to drop out of college it was getting so bad. Because of these events I began searching harder than ever for a solution.

Well, I found a book that seems to be a solution. It's called "Hope And Help For Your Nerves" by Dr. Claire Weeks. I highly recommend it. The things it talks about seem to be a sure-fire way to cure this issue. It speaks of nervous trembling in detail.

In summary, the reason we shake is because we have a very sensitized nervous system. We are so afraid of the feelings that arise some times that it leads to a cycle which produces even more fear. When this happens many times, the body eventually becomes better and better at panicking very quickly. This bewilders us even more and causes the situation to get worse to the point of shaking and feeling out of control.

I don't know about you guys but this describes me. Dr. Weeks recommends a very simple four step procedure:

1. Face
2. Accept
3. Float
4. Let Time Pass

I think the worst part about this illness is not knowing what it is and what is causing it. Without knowing, we feel hopeless. That being said, this book has given me tremendous hope. I highly recommend buying and reading it. It goes into much more detail. I sincerely believe that full recovery is achievable with time.

Feel free to message me!

If you are suffering from a tremor then this could well be due to a neurological disorder called essential tremor. This is relatively harmless but obviously is embarrassing and can cause anxiety and social withdrawal. A head tremor is a fairly typical symptom of essential tremor (as is a tremor in the hands, arms or trunk but it can actually manifest anywhere).

Tremor could indicate other underlying medical issues though, so it's important to go and have it diagnosed by a doctor - they can run blood tests to confirm it's not an issue such as over-active thyroid and physical tests to check it's not Parkinson's. If needs be there are further tests that can be run. This may well be embarrassing but it is important to do it. If your doctor is not helpful then find another - these are well documented disorders and you can find more info on essential tremor on the web.

There are treatments available that can greatly reduce the effects and your doctor should be able to recommend something. Just being informed alone may help you to understand and manage this embarrassing condition.

I hope this information is useful.

Im so happy I found this!!

Often when Im at the city bus station (every morning) where 1000 of people are waiting for the bus, I feel like they all stare at me because of my super bad/stiff posture.
If I meet somebodys eyes, my head starts to "in robot moves" turn around and back!
Its very scary and uncomfortable, because I think people notice and judge me for it. I hate it so much! :crying: :thumbdown:

OK, former sufferer here. Cured now.

I had the kind where my neck and shoulders were really tense and if somebody would look at me my neck would shake side to side. This would usually cause the other person to look away quickly and I would be horrified. This ruined many relationships before they even began and eventually ones that were fine before.

After many years of mindfulness, searching the internet, trying countless new things, I figured it out around a year ago. What's going on (and this is in my specific case) is that you are getting a signal in your mind to look downwards in a submissive fashion. This is very common if you have low self-esteem. For whatever reasons you are resisting this head nod and downward look, most likely because you (rightfully) believe this is an non-confident gesture.

What then happens is you send a signal to your mind to not look down and your mind is automatically trying to bring your head down. The signals meet in the middle and your neck shakes very uncomfortably.

What you need to do is learn that it is OK to lower your eyes once in a while and it is a normal thing to do. When you stop resisting looking down, your neck shakes will stop. In order to stop looking down, you will need to develop your confidence and self esteem.