Hand shaking/fumbling

[Wayward]

Hi guys, wondering if anyone can share some wisdom...

I'm finding lately that I sometimes struggle with a manual task that I've done before with no problem, and something happens which is unusual for me, I'll find my hands frantically trying over and over again, failing every time to do the task, and they seem sort of weak and fumbling - does that make sense?
For instance today at work I had to put a piece of cardboard into a flat shallow box - it was a very tight fit, the piece was part of some packaging to help a clock stay in place. Now I had these customers standing at my till waiting and watching while I tried over and over to get this piece of cardboard to fit, flipping it 90 degrees now and then to try to get it in. I had little space in front of me because the till area is cramped and cluttered, so I had the cardboard box resting on top of the keyboard, so each time I tried, I'd hit a key and the till would squeak an error sound at me - but I kept doing the same thing again and again! In the end the customer did it for me in one go and I was of course quite embarrassed.
I'm having a similar problem with the sequence of getting my purse out of my bag, and getting out and unfolding my railcard train ticket wallet on the train, which I've done for about a year without a problem.

I don't know if it's just getting flustered but I've always got flustered in that kind of situation and I've only recently noticed this sort of fumbling thing I do where I seem to lose control even more than is usual for me. It's like my hands act of their own accord sometimes lately.

Can anyone tell me if this is a typical dyspraxia thing, to suddenly struggle more than usual in this particular way?
Could it be to do with hot weather? Or is it a stress thing?

[joy]

You can become more clumsy if you are rushed or are feeling under pressure, if your hands are shaking at home and you dont feel under pressure and you have noticed it getting worse a trip to the Doctor might reassure you there is nothing else causing it.You dont say how old you are but as you get older elderly people can sometimes get a tremor but if you are reasonably young I would take a trip to the doctor especially if you say its getting worse.

[Wayward]

Thanks Joy - I'm 32 so it's more likely to be stress than anything like Parkinsons. It's just odd that it's been more pronounced recently whilst under stress. I've always been worse under stress, but not like this. The only change I can think of is finding out I'm dyspraxic in the past couple of years, maybe that is making it worse somehow?

[LGC2108]

My hands often shake, I used to have a lot of problem with camera shake when I studied photography A-level.

[Wayward]

Thanks - at least I know it's not just me!

[Tom fod]

Hi Wayward

As joy suggests, It's well worth speaking to your GP. He or she may be able to help and can set your mind at ease too by ruling out other more serious complaints. Stress can be to blame for a multitude of things but if something has recently got worse it is always worth getting it checked out.

That said the situation you were in I can so see myself having struggled with the same task especially given the lack of space to do it in and someone watching. Don't be shy to suggest a reorganisation to make it easier for all in your workplace.

If you have other current worries/strains these may be a contributing factor but don't be afraid to seek medical advice.

[Wayward]

Thanks Tom, I am fairly sure now that it's happening when I feel under pressure so I'm going to work on trying not to panic!

[liamj1987]

hi i have the same problem i have a permanent tremor that is mainly with my hands but sometimes can go right through my body. i find that when under pressure or dealing with people it gets worse. also when you think people are noticing it can also add. to try and help myself i try to use breathing techniques to calm down a bit but have also been to gp and had medication prescribed to calm the shaking which worked. so id say best options would be gp like tom and joy have stated.

[Wayward]

Hi Liam, thanks for your response I think it was a stress thing combined with struggling with certain weights of items (I seem to struggle most with things that are quite light...seems odd I know...)
Thanks again for the support guys, I know I tend to start a lot of threads about stuff specific to me...