Benign Essential Tremor: Resources, Support and Books

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

The International Essential Tremor Foundation (IETF) is an online tool for BET patient's to find all the necessary information, services and support. The IETF also provides information and support to family members of BET patients. According to the IETF, there are over 20 movement disorders and BET is the most common. The main goal of the IETF is to promote research to help find the cause and cure for BET. As the only worldwide organization for Benign Essential Tremor, the IETF provides membership, informational packets, and support groups for patients.

Benign Essential Tremor Info

The Benign Essential Tremor Info website was founded by a BET patient. I always tend to gravitate to websites on illnesses that are owned and run by patients because the websites are more personal. Catherine's site was the first site I found when I was researching BET and I found that I was able to comprehend what I was reading better because it was written by someone like me. Her website has lots of great information on BET and other related illnesses. The Benign Essential Tremor Info website also has an online support group forum for patients.

Essential Tremor: The Facts

Essential Tremor: The Facts is a book written by Mark Plumb and Peter Bain. The author is a geneticist who has been a BET patient since childhood. Peter Bain is an authority on tremor disorders. This book is a great guide that helps patients understand what is happening to them, how to minimize their symptoms, and how to help family members deal with BET also.

Essential Tremor - A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, and Annotated Research Guide to Internet References

This 3-in-1 reference book was written by ICON Health Publications. It provides the reader with an extensive medical dictionary covering all of the terms and expressions related to Benign Essential Tremor. Along with lists of bibliographic citations, this book helps the patient learn how to research their illness using online resources. This book is written for doctors, medical students, medical researchers and patients.