My Hands Will Not Stop Shaking!

[devildoc130]

So today it's noon in Okinawa and I had to leave work because my hands wont stop shaking. It doesn't help that I work as a surgical first assistant. My heart is racing and I keep trying to relax, but it's like a chore to do so.I've had PTSD for over 3 years, prior military trauma. Today it's spiraling out of control. I've been seeing a therapist and psychiatrist. Yes, I'm on medication.

It's like I have to hold my hands together to make it stop, then my whole body is shaking. It doesn't help. I try and relax, close my eyes and have flashbacks. Which triggers a whole bunch of other problems. I've gone to the ER a few times because of it. I know other people have similar experiences. Any tips or help would be greatly appreciated. I just want to relax. I had some medication for it, but not anymore. It's a never ending cycle and it's like it will never stop.

 

[devildoc130]

I tend to purposely disassociate from reality to stop this..which works, however afterwards I feel even worse. Most likely because I am coming back to "reality" and I hate being there. I wish I could drift off somewhere else where everything is normal. Where I can breath..and I can experience calmness for just a little while. My chronic insomnia doesn't make things better.

 

[Fyrepixie0]

I am sorry to hear that. Its tough. I actually had a really rough day today with my repressed memories surfacing. I am still trying to figure out how to deal, but I am just holding on. I feel like sometimes I need someone to tell me they are feeling it to and feel the intensity. I wish there was some tips out there to help deal with the shakiness and re-experiencing the trauma. If there is, I gotta know.

 

[keifer]

When I shake, I can still draw steady but when I stop, it looks like have tremors. I notice it's a sign I'm having something trigger me and I'm in an angry state of mind.

As for it to stop, I've just had to wait. Something's, I read say to try breathing, find your grounding rod(mines a city stick you can also use for martial arts stuff), focus on a memory like I do of my pet wolf who's dead but with me in spirit, or another memory is watching the moon over the ocean under the southern cross on Diego Garcia where its quiet and tranquil night.

 

[devildoc130]

Thank you for replying back. Appreciate the support.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

One thing that my therapist talks about is trying to physically calm down first. I know when you're shaking and struggling that's hard to focus on doing. I got like that during a session one day and she waited for me to finish my thoughts and then before she would let me go on she guided me through a breathing excersie.

It sounds so basic. But going somewhere alone where it's quiet and doing some slow deep breathing for a solid uninterrupted 2 minutes can physically slow the body down. Once you feel your shoulders drop and you start to slow down you can try some grounding techniques. I'm finding that this is helping me.

One grounding technique I like is to remind myself of the present moment. And as odd as it might sound opening my eyes wide looking around and noticing my environment. It helps me to keep from dissociating. It helps keep me in the present. I know different things work for different people but maybe that could help you a little. I'm sorry you're having such a tough time. Anxiety can be extremely frustrating. I hope it gets better for you soon.

 

[devildoc130]

Today, I'm taking it easy, one foot in front of the other. Listneing to all my favourite music. I called my mother yesteday and it actually helped a lot. Was able to talk and eventually fell asleep. @BlackbirdSinging thank you so much for your post. I used your technique and told myself, "you're in your room, there is nothing to be afraid of, and looked at everything around me.." I know I need to function in the present and I've been trying not to disassociate as much. Just right now, im smiling a bit (I have a crooked smile) and listening music while sitting here in the main operating room at work. Just taking it easy, and it's Friday! One of my goals is to stop worrying about things I can't control. It's definatly one of my faults.. (now im just ranitng) But anyways, thanks for all the support. I know I can write on this site and not be judged in a bad way. People understand and it makes me feel better. Thank you. Semper Fortis

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

@BlackbirdSinging thank you so much for your post.

You're welcome :). I'm glad it helped and I'm glad you're feeling better. Posting here is a good thing. You won't be judged badly. We all have the same kinds of things going on. People here are understanding and supportive. I hope tomorrow will be another good day for you. Good days are so nice. They're such a relief.

 

[gone]

I just started shaking about a month (two?) ago and have barely stopped since. I wake up shaking. Sometimes so hard I literally can't get food to my mouth without it falling off utensil. Whatever I'm drinking sloshes out go my mug/glass. Was out at an Asian restaurant with friends and became extremely embarrassed, humiliated even, could not work the chopsticks (normally, no probs), had to resort to bending way down into the plate and kind of shoveling.

When really stressful things happen (sick cat, mean tree-cutting people), my whole body shakes uncontrollably.

So far I can't find anything that stops this shaking except when I focus and work on images I'm creating about my PTSD experience. During almost all of this work I don't shake at all. The minute I stop, back come the shakes. Interestingly, focussing on these images is not at all about being in the present or being in the room, in fact totally the opposite. It's about exploring and trying to create a molecularly accurate image of my exact emotion(s). And it's about really really really concentrating, which seems to ground me.

 

[devildoc130]

@Amne I understand. I tend to disassociate... and it works. It hasn't happened for awhile, since i was told to take my prazosin during the morning as well as at night. And now im on a benzo again. So overall things are going well.. I hope everything gets better for you.Stay strong, we will both go through this together. :)

 

[gone]

Thank you @devildoc130. I appreciate your words and the notion that I'm (we're) not alone. I'm also curious about the prazosin, which I currently take at night for nightmares. So you take it in the day as well to... not dissociate, or not shake?