The Writers' Society

What is Essential Tremor?Once known as familial tremor, benign essential tremor or hereditary tremor, essential tremor (ET) is a neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs or trunk. Some even feel an internal shake. It is often confused with Parkinson’s disease although ET is eight times more common and affects an estimated 10 million Americans alone. Because of stereotypes and a lack of awareness, many people with ET never seek medical care though many would benefit from treatment.You are not alone. Millions are affected by ET, even some pretty well-know celebrities and politicians: actress Katharine Hepburn, the late U.S. Senator Robert Byrd, John Adams (2nd U.S. President), John Q Adams (6th U.S. President), Jonathan Diefenbaker (13th Prime Minister of Canada), playwright Eugene O’Neill, and perhaps even General Douglas MacArthur.