Fear of trembling (tremophobia)

Tremophobia is a fear of trembling, often a worry that others will see your hands or voice shake. It can make people avoid holding drinks in public, signing documents in front of others, or speaking at meetings. Any new or ongoing tremor is worth checking with a GP.

About this phobia

The name draws on the Latin tremere, meaning to tremble. It is rarely reported as a separate phobia, but the worry is common in social anxiety, where fear of visible shaking can itself make shaking more likely. It can also appear in people who have a tremor for medical reasons and fear it getting worse.

What it feels like

• Hiding hands in pockets or avoiding carrying cups and plates
• Dreading tasks that others will watch, such as writing or signing
• Worry that a shaky voice will give away nerves

Explore more unusual fears in the rare phobias A to Z, or browse the common phobias.

Common questions

Can fear of shaking make me shake more?

Yes, anxiety releases adrenaline, which can cause trembling, so worrying about shaking can set off the very thing you fear. That said, a tremor can also have physical causes, so it is sensible to have any persistent shaking checked by a GP.

How can you help?

I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to the thing you fear, so the old alarm stops going off. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.

Ready to start?

Book a £49 consultation call and we’ll talk through your fear, or take the free suitability test first.

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