Essential tremors..

Hi, I am 23 years of age and have experienced tremors since i was young. In primary and high school i only experienced tremors during speeches where my hands would shake quite a lot. Since leaving school i have noticed my head shakes uncontrollably often due to high stress and anxiety. My hands get shaky too but not as noticeable as my head. I have read a lot about essential tremors and how it progresses over time and it has made me a lot more anxious as i worry that soon i'll be disabled and won't be able to cope with daily living. I am only 23! I should be living my life not hiding away.

I currently work a few days a week because i find it difficult to be in social situations. I get very anxious around people and when any attention is on me. I get so afraid and self conscious that my head and hands will begin shaking and people will think i am strange and laugh at me. My head also shakes especially when i sit down and have to be still for eg. doctor appointments, interviews etc. I dont go out much at all, i tend to stay home because i am afraid people will notice my tremors. I just want to feel normal again.

I was taking 40mg inderal 3 times a day but have now stopped because it didnt help my head tremors. I now take diazepam (valium) as needed with social situations. I find alcohol does help lessen the tremor but don't want to use this as it limits myself from driving etc.

I do suffer from heart palpitations throughout the day due to stress and high anxiety levels.

For 8 years i was in an abusive relationship and raped several times by my ex's brother and his friends. I was also bullied in high school from friends who would call me fat and other names. I have never been overweight. I am of normal build.

Please if you have anything that will help with the head shakes it would be greatly appreciated. I have tried valerian and st johns wort with not much luck. I have also had a slight improvement with kava but don't know if this is good for my tremors in the long run.

I would prefer something that will not make my tremors worse over time. I would like to try something that calms the body like the muscle relaxant valium.

I also forgot to mention i take 2oomg of b2 three times a day as i have read this may help to prevent essential tremors worsening over time.

I recently got married in october last year and have a fairly good relationship. Sometimes he yells and gets angry but generally its good. We have no children. I worry also about being pregnant and being to anxious to go to doctors appointments etc. If you any suggestions of something that is safe during pregnancy that would be great too.

Please help me to minimise these horrible head shakes once and for all..