Shaking

LifeInternal88

LifeInternal88

Well-known member
Does shaking ever go away ?

When I have to do a presentation, of all the symptoms of nervousness - I hate shaking the most. Heart racing and sweating, dry mouth etc aren't really visible; but shaking just sucks, esp if you have to hold a paper - becuase then everybody sees it. I don't hold papers and avoid using powerpoint etc because my hands aren't still enough to hold or do anything.

I once had to sign something and well I was nervous and so my hands weren't still enough to even hold the pen. Gosh!

I really hope it does go away as you get older; and hopefully as you gain confidence (not sure how).
 
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nicole1

Well-known member
You are right,this is the worse. It's scary for me most of the time. I can't do anything in front of anyone. It's so humiliating to talk to about it, as well, like with therapists. I don't even know if there's something that can be done to get rid of it.
 
MrJones

MrJones

Well-known member
I hate shaking, it's really humiliating. But I think that, for me, it's worse when I have problems with breathing and my heart goes crazy (it's been really heavy a couple of times, but it's not usual).
 
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Agent_Violet

Well-known member
The worst thing for me is when my voice shakes. I mean, I have to be professional yet I sound like an idiot bc my voice starts shaking the minute I get nervous or worked up. I don't know if it gets better or not.
 
Kiwong

Kiwong

Well-known member
Shaking can be a problem for me, if I have to sign something when someone is watching.
 
Invisibleman

Invisibleman

Well-known member
I have this problem aswell. Everyday at school im usually the first to class (seriously no matter how goddamn hard I try to be late) and I start shaking like crazy. The teacher says good morning and I say good morning back in the most squeaky weak tone.
 
pinata

pinata

Well-known member
Does anyone else have their head start shaking like crazy when you talk infront of people? In seminars at uni I have all the usual symptoms but I avoid talking in seminars because of the fear of what people think and drawing attention to myself, but also the really noticeable head shaking.. I get it when I talk to my doctor too, I shake so much that when I try and look at him my head jerks away and I can't help but look at the floor :/
 
LifeInternal88

LifeInternal88

Well-known member
@nicole and MrJones: yea, it is humiliating to talk about it. I haven't told anyone. I think we shouldn't be ashamed of it though.

@pinata: My head not so much, it's my whole body.

@phocas: wrt judgement of others. It's strange because it is true that no one cares about your presentation or whatever you're doing, and even if they do, they forget pretty quick whatever you did or said. But even armed with this knowledge - the nerves still get me.

@Invisibleman: For me it's only when i'm nervous. does it happen every morning?
 
Waybuloo

Waybuloo

Well-known member
pinata said:
Does anyone else have their head start shaking like crazy when you talk infront of people? In seminars at uni I have all the usual symptoms but I avoid talking in seminars because of the fear of what people think and drawing attention to myself, but also the really noticeable head shaking.. I get it when I talk to my doctor too, I shake so much that when I try and look at him my head jerks away and I can't help but look at the floor :/
Click to expand...

Yep mine too, even when i'm catching public transport or paying for groceries and qeueing up. It can get better the more sustained exposure you have towards situations that cause you anxiety. After I worked in McDonalds for a while, I no longer shook on the bus, but when i've been house bound for a bit, coming out to do anything is scary and I shake on the bus again.
 
Invisibleman

Invisibleman

Well-known member
@LifeInternal88 well yeah im extremely nervous haha. And if that wasnt bad enough once I sit down my crush sits right behind me,I can literally feel her breath on the back of my neck and I practically have a seizure.
 
zoulaykha

zoulaykha

Active member
I usually try taking a deep breath, when i'm on 'stage' , well you're lucky you don't blush, because i do, intesively and it shows =/
 
LifeInternal88

LifeInternal88

Well-known member
Just an update.

I recently had a class that had everyone presenting one important academic paper; we were expected to solve equations or draw any important diagrams on the board. I just knew this would be a disaster so I went hunting for a medical solution. After reading this NYT article I decided to at least try it: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/17/arts/music/17tind.html?_r=0

The doctor did not want to give it to me. He went on and on about the risks, dangers etc. Then he shared the "everybody gets nervous" speech. "It's totally normal", "don't worry". I went to another doctor, same story. I eventually pulled out that article (and two others) to show that people do use it to treat performance anxiety; particularly music students use it for important auditions. She still wasn't convinced but eventually said she would research it herself and get back to me.

I've only used it once and it did stop the shaking etc. My head was completely out of it though, and I felt a bit drowsy. But I would still rather present feeling tired and spaced out than being useless and physically panicked. I don't think I will take them unless it's an important interview/presentation since the doctors were so hesitant about giving it to me.

Those doctors did not understand at all. They thought I just wanted the easy way out. I don’t think they understand that nervous for me is not the same as nervous for John. I do think if you did enough presentations you might eventually get used to it, but I don’t get that kind of practice so not sure how I will get over it.

Do you guys think it is just the easy way out, or that medication is too dangerous to risk for a presentation/interview?
 
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laure15

Well-known member
I am not a doctor and not qualified to give medical advice, but in my opinion, I think medication should be the last resort. Maybe give the other alternatives a try, but if all of them fail and you're still shaking, then medication could be the answer.

I know the feeling. When I was in jury duty, my head, hands, and legs started shaking uncontrollably, so I try to stop this by clenching my fists, pressing my feet hard towards the ground, and just tensing my muscles overall. The first day was particularly horrible, with all the lawyers, clerk, judge examining us and constantly looking at us.
 
JuiceB

JuiceB

Well-known member
Uncontrollable shaking is the worst. I was ordering food in a restuarant and had to pay with me debit card. The card wouldn't register and both of my hands were shaking from nervousness. The manager came up and said the machine wasn't working but that didn't do anything to relieve me. I had to put both hands in my pocket but I knew they noticed.
 
mikebird

mikebird

Banned
I'm glad someone has the same problem as me when nervous.

I think mine is all about SA, and not epilepsy at all.

My worst ever event is signing the visitors' book at Reception, before being collected for interview, and always a bit worse straight after when I leave, with the boss watching me sign out. Every time, I get the date & time a bit wrong. Too much going on in my head. Thinking of the future gets me wobbly

My signature is never quite the same.
The best time to sign is at home by myself, to put the document in an envelope

Worst shake this week was inside me - no pen. The crux of being shouted at by two salesmen, to pay £4,000 for car repairs, screaming on, that the car is on its last legs - not an economical car - wanting me to buy a new fresh one! It's not very settling when on a tight budget. Of course there's a simple yes/ no & goodbye, which I chose, but I had to delve into some issues; do I have options. That's salesmen shouting. Felt like they wanted to call 'security' to have me removed. Their voices seem to get the job done
 
cowboyup

cowboyup

Well-known member
from my experience, mine has NOT gone away, sorry to say. I detest it.
My mother was like that as well and I remember shadowing her at work (she was a phlebotomist, not good job to be shaking) and remember seeing her shake terribly and thought to myself, 'I feel bad for her...I hope I never get that way"

spoke too soon - now I am just like that.

it sucks :(
 
BlueDays

BlueDays

1
LifeInternal88 said:
Just an update.

I recently had a class that had everyone presenting one important academic paper; we were expected to solve equations or draw any important diagrams on the board. I just knew this would be a disaster so I went hunting for a medical solution. After reading this NYT article I decided to at least try it: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/17/arts/music/17tind.html?_r=0

The doctor did not want to give it to me. He went on and on about the risks, dangers etc. Then he shared the "everybody gets nervous" speech. "It's totally normal", "don't worry". I went to another doctor, same story. I eventually pulled out that article (and two others) to show that people do use it to treat performance anxiety; particularly music students use it for important auditions. She still wasn't convinced but eventually said she would research it herself and get back to me.

I've only used it once and it did stop the shaking etc. My head was completely out of it though, and I felt a bit drowsy. But I would still rather present feeling tired and spaced out than being useless and physically panicked. I don't think I will take them unless it's an important interview/presentation since the doctors were so hesitant about giving it to me.

Those doctors did not understand at all. They thought I just wanted the easy way out. I don’t think they understand that nervous for me is not the same as nervous for John. I do think if you did enough presentations you might eventually get used to it, but I don’t get that kind of practice so not sure how I will get over it.

Do you guys think it is just the easy way out, or that medication is too dangerous to risk for a presentation/interview?
Click to expand...

Wow, that is sad to read that you had contact with a few doctors that had no understanding of the way excessive shaking and hartbeating can affect us with SA. It's a whole new level from the "normal nervousness" that people without SA experience.

I was fortunate to have a doctor prescribe a beta-blocker for me back in 1992. I remember the first class presentation I did with it....omg!:cool: Later on someone actually commented to me that I looked like I was enjoying myself! She was seeing the happiness I was experiencing at being able to do the presentation I was capable of because I was not disabled by the excessive shaking/heartbeat.

From then on I got nothing but A's for my presentations. I believe if you are being disabled from presenting at the level you are really capable of by the affects of shaking/heartbeat then it is totally justified to take beta-blockers. For us with SA presentations NEVER get any easier, no matter how matter you do.
If there is a way to prevent a disability from holding us back from achieving good marks, why should we not use it?
If you follow the doctor's instructions and only use them sparingly (when you absolutely have to) then there should not be a problem.
 
knowledgeofself

knowledgeofself

Well-known member
I get the shakes just after i've had a cigarette ,I attribute that to the nicotine.

there have been times when i've visited doctors and other places though and i've had shakes and sweating due to nerves, not nice.
 
xDreamseller

xDreamseller

Well-known member
I work in a small supermarket and sometimes when I first start on he till for the day, my hands get really shaky. It's odd, in my head I'm not nervous at all, but I can feel my hands shake and I can't stop it. When it takes ages to lift out the right change from the till it gets really embarrassing.
 
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