When I was first diagnosed with Benign Essential Tremor, I was surprised to find that there was n...
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Benign Essential Tremor is a movement disorder in the same family as Parkinson's disease. People with Benign Essential Tremor (BET) will have uncontrollable shaking of certain body parts, particularly the head, hands, jaw and legs. Benign Essential Tremor is a progressive disorder that usually starts innocently enough and without the patient giving their shaking much thought. As the shaking continues to get worse, social embarrassment and the ability to eat, apply makeup, type and get dressed can become burdensome. Benign Essential Tremor is believed to be an inherited disorder that is caused by a defective gene. If someone in your family has Parkinson's disease, you run a higher risk of getting Benign Essential Tremor.
Benign Essential Tremor is not fatal and having BET does not lead to other illnesses. The severity of shaking and the number of limbs affected by Benign Essential Tremor vary from patient to patient. I have been fortunate and only my hands have been affected. For some, the shaking can be so severe that the patient's quality of life is greatly reduced. Patients with severe BET can become disabled, as they are not able to dress or feed themselves. The social embarrassment of severe shaking can also keep a BET patient housebound.
When I was first diagnosed with Benign Essential Tremor, I was surprised to find that there was not a lot of information or support available for people with this chronic illness. Anyone who suffers from a chronic illness needs to gain valuable resources in order to learn how to cope, adjust and live their lives despite their afflictions. Without the proper resources, the patient can feel very lonely. By reaching out through websites, support groups and books, a patient can find the necessary tools to overcome the hardships associated with BET and any other chronic illness.
International Essential Tremor Foundation
Benign Essential Tremor is not fatal and having BET does not lead to other illnesses. The severity of shaking and the number of limbs affected by Benign Essential Tremor vary from patient to patient. I have been fortunate and only my hands have been affected. For some, the shaking can be so severe that the patient's quality of life is greatly reduced. Patients with severe BET can become disabled, as they are not able to dress or feed themselves. The social embarrassment of severe shaking can also keep a BET patient housebound.
When I was first diagnosed with Benign Essential Tremor, I was surprised to find that there was not a lot of information or support available for people with this chronic illness. Anyone who suffers from a chronic illness needs to gain valuable resources in order to learn how to cope, adjust and live their lives despite their afflictions. Without the proper resources, the patient can feel very lonely. By reaching out through websites, support groups and books, a patient can find the necessary tools to overcome the hardships associated with BET and any other chronic illness.
International Essential Tremor Foundation
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