Writing hand anxiety?
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi everyone. I’m super frustrated with an intermittent problem that crops up regularly whereby my writing hand/fingers/wrist/arm muscles get tight, shakes, twitches, etc when I write. For example when trying to sign my name (illegible) or fill-in a form. It appears to be anxiety (under pressure) realated, as there are other times when I can write smoothly (seemingly when I’m calm, not focused, or tired). Obviously when I’m having an episode i get frustrated and it gets worse.
I have been living/managing with this for quite some time. I’ve had tests, but they can’t find anything. Its likened to some forms of performance anxiety.
I was wondering if anyone here has experienced this and how they solved the problem. Maybe you had some “tricks” to quickly stop or distract my system so that I could function during these episodes. I’ve tried:
- Breathing
- Eyes closed
- Loud music
- Visualization
- Looking away
- Pinching or pressure on hand/arm muscles
- Distraction
- Rushing myself
- Writing with the other hand
- I’ve tried a few meds, but nothing quite worked.
Any recommendations or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Im desperate for a solution.
Thanks!
1 like, 7 replies
lucie41026 Guest
Posted
It looks to me like movement disorder. I’m no doctor but I’ve been dealing with the same symptoms for a long time even though I am under treatment for tardive dyskinesia. A lot of symptoms are under control but some remain. It’s still very hard to write, to sign my name. I noticed that when I’m calm it’s easier. Have you consulted a neurologist?
Guest lucie41026
Posted
Calypso777 Guest
Posted
Guest Calypso777
Posted
Calypso777 Guest
Posted
👍
SteV3 Guest
Posted
Hi Tsea,
I would ask your doctor to refer you to a Neurologist.
Many people these days walk around without even realizing they have numerous nerve disorders.
If I sign for anything, my signature is never the same twice. I suffer from what we used to call "writers cramp" years ago. However, the correct medical term is "Hand Dystonia" - it is part of the Dystonic groups of Nerve Conditions. This is the correct term from the British Medical Journal 2018.
Everything you mention is quite common, eventhough Dystonia is still classed as a relatively new disorder, even these days. I have suffered from it for over 30 years. It took Neurologists 18 months to actually to come to a prognosis, for me.
With me though "Hand Dystonia" is just a few limbs affected. My main ailment is Chronic Generalised Dystonia, but I also have Cervical Torsion Dystonia, which I has to be treated with BoTox injections by a Neurologist every 10 weeks. I do have many other problems, but I am not listing off of them.
As for a cure, there is no cure as such, but it can be controlled by various medications - In my case I take nearly 50 tablets a day, at 7 preset times.
Hope this is of some help to you.
Regards,
SteV3
Guest SteV3
Posted