why do people with bi-polar have shaky hands?

Question

Im not saying all people but my brother has bi-polar and he has very shaky hands.

Its embarrassing to me because when were out in say a restraunt his hands will shake which makes the table shake and I don't want people to think we are crazy.

He can't get a job because of it either.

he won't fill the papers out because he doesn't wanna feel like a person with a mental condition. But the truth is he has one and he needs to accept it.

My brother is 33. I know its not an excuse for not working. Tell that to my mother.

I always tell her that he needs to find a job tooo but her excuse is he has a mental condition. SO people with bi-polar do work. She needs to get off the high horse and accept that he does need to work I don't care if he has a mental conditon or not.

I have 3 illnesses and yet I still find a job.

It makes me mad because my mom makes an excuse for him too.

He used to drink alcohol too but he has been sober for some time now. But now he drinks too much coffee all the time.

On my birthday my family went out to eat and my brother had like 6 cups of coffee and then he wanted to get more at starbucks.

Its ridiculous. He was acting like a kid in the chair rocking back and forth because of soo much coffee too.

The only dr my brother has is one at MHMR(mental health and mental retardation)

Answer 1

Because of the medication maybe. Poor guy... just check with your psychologist and see what can be done to lessen the drugs.... I wish you well

Answer 2

Hi. I have had this problem - I am epileptic too and was diagnosed with a personality disorder I did not have and compelled to take medication which made me sleep all the time and feel so depressed (I had lost my job and could not do anything) that this was seen as a mental illness. I refused to take medication and my quality of life improved hugely. Lamotrogine is a valid treatment for epilepsy (see link below) but like carbomazepine (my nemesis) it also treats mood disorders. Often drugs for epilepsy also help mental disorders because its all connected with the brain. This is irrelevant if you cannot tolerate the medication tho. Doctors frequently do this - if a drug treats the condition, people are expected to put up with the side effects. I had great difficulty convincing my doctor that I would far rather have seizures a couple of times a year than sleep 16 hours a day and have trouble remembering my name for the other 8. You need to assert yourself here - if you work it would be ideal if your work would help you out by writing a letter saying that your symptoms are affecting your work. If this is not an option, you will need to keep pestering the doctor, asking for second opinions and even getting legal advice. Letters are very good for this - once something is on record people take it more seriously. I am a mental health advocate and write letters for people all the time which are very effective. If you would like me to help you with a letter email me. In response to your actual question - yes mood disorders are frequently associated with epilepsy because of the effect seizures have on the brain. Did you know that ECT for severe depression actually simulates a seizure and this resets the brain and lifts your mood? Correspondingly epilepsy can cause people to become very 'high' for periods and then sink low again. Your doctor putting you on this drug does not, in itself, mean that he thinks you have it tho as it is a common treatment for epilepsy. If your seizures are controlled you should not have mood disturbances. If you feel you are being misdiagnosed with mental illness you should ask to be referred to a psychiatrist who will confirm that this is not the case and they will not be able to say this any more. I did that. You and only you will know if your mental health is affected by your epilepsy but if you are anxious, frustrated and depressed from feeling so ill from side effects this is not a mental illness but very natural!

Answer 3

Shaking Hands Disorder

Answer 4

He can shake from medications that he takes and if he takes ( many of them have tremor as a side effect), if so he should check it with his doc. Also u mentioned he was drinking a lot but not now...he could have withdrawal tremors...u have to understand him and don't be embarrassed but help him... He is probably enough embarrassed by himself and he surly doesn't need a sister that feels the same.
he can also shake from too much coffein....he should reduce it!!!
Usually men are more weaker when it comes to hard times and fact that they have to fight even though it's super hard....so moms know to be more gentile with them and have excuses....but don't worry it has nothing personal...u are stronger as a person and stronger mentally then him so u could have ur job even though u are with problems....He just needs understanding and his own time to do stuff.
Making him do something when he is not ready it can make things even worse! Trust me...been there done that....

So just help him.....see what u can do with his tremors - take him to the doctor if it's something that messes with his life.
But if it isn't that much try not to notice it....he probably has anxiety as well when in public and tremors get worse with anxiety....so just help him relax.


If u need someone to talk to feel free to send me email:
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Hope this helps!

Answer 5

I an answer this on from experience. You brother's shaky hands are probably do to his medications or medications he has taken in the past. Many of these medications deplete the dopamine levels in the brain and the patient displays Parkinsons-like symptoms--ie the shaking hands. His balance may even be affected.

Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter that works in the portion of the brain called the Substantia Nigra. When there is damage to this area do in prolonged inadequate dopamine tremors, especially in the hands become prominent. Hand tremors are especially common in people under treatment for schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder.

Answer 6

It could be a side effect from medication, or it could be another condition entirely. Not all people with bipolar have shaky hands. that really isn't normal at all. Your brother should talk to his doctor about this.

Answer 7

i have bi-poler and my hands arnt shaky. but i dont take meds yet. but im going to start. maybe it nerves because i get anxious and when im excited i get a little shaky but i really dont know. i'd say the meds

Answer 8

Your brother either has a separate condition, or he's not bi-polar, but has Huntington's Disease, which causes people to both go insane (bi-polar syndrome is only the first of the insanity) and to 'shake' in their hands at first, then their whole bodies 'tremble.' I'm sorry about your brother, but I suggest that you take him to a geneticist and have him tested for Huntington's Disease ... Huntington's is generally a 'genetic disorder' but it does occasionally appear outside of the 'gene pool' of people who carry the disease ... and the geneticist can both give you the 'truth' but may also be able to give you references to better doctors for your brother's condition. Good luck. I'll be praying for both of you.

Answer 9

i would definitely have his meds checked, it could also be part of the illness, some people develop twitches, kind of like a coping mechanism, i would also recommend pyschotherapy if he is not already receiving this. good luck and best wishes to you both
Sarah

Answer 10

Well my uncle and my husband do this because of the medication they take... Its A side effect.

They have A mental condition. And so do I.

He should get on SSI social security.
he deserves it.

Answer 11

Im not really sure but if you can search google "Bi-Polars w/ shaky hands" search that and it may give you the answer!