You have to sign an important document, hold a cup of coffee at a meeting, or perform a precise task, and your hands start to live a life of their own. Hand tremors (psychogenic tremor) are one of the most embarrassing symptoms of stress because they are visible to others. Trying to "stop" the trembling with willpower usually only makes it worse.
Why Do Hands Tremble?
It's an excess of energy. Adrenaline prepares the muscles for a sudden attack or flight. The muscles are in a "ready for battle" state, tensed to their limits, waiting for a signal to move. If there is no movement, this accumulated energy discharges in the form of micro-contractions, i.e., trembling.
Scientific Sources:
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: "Tremor Fact Sheet".
