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Patient Tools/Resources
Patient/Clinician FAQ and Discussion Points
Q: What causes ET?
A: The cause of ET is currently unknown. A large percentage of persons with
ET have a family history of the disorder.
Q: How is ET diagnosed?
A: There are no medical tests to confirm a diagnosis of ET. Generally,
ET is diagnosed by ruling out other causes of tremor, including certain
medications, Parkinson's disease, and excessive stress or trauma.
Q: Is ET life-threatening?
A: While it can worsen over time, ET is not a life-threatening disorder.
The severity of the tremor can vary from a barely noticeable tremor only
present in situations of stress or anxiety, to a severe tremor that has a
significant impact on activities of daily living.
Q: Can ET be "cured"?
A: There is currently no cure for ET; however there are a number of
management approaches that can help improve quality of life.
Q: Which management approach is right for me?
A: Clinicians and patients should take a shared decision-making approach to
identify which management strategies are right for each individual.
Level of invasiveness, potential for side effects, efficacy, and cost can all
be considered when deciding which approach(es) to start with.
Q: Will ET affect my ability to work?
A: It may. If your tremor is so severe that it disrupts your ability to work,
you may qualify for federal disability benefits. The Social Security
Administration administers two programs: Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).