Essential tremor (ET) is a type of involuntary shaking movement. It has no identified cause. Involuntary means you shake without trying to do so and are not able to stop the shaking at will. Essential tremor, otherwise known as intention, familial tremor, benign essential tremor or hereditary tremor is a rhythmic shaking or vibrating movement due to involuntary muscle contractions. This page offers complete information, causes, prevention and remedies of essential tremor. Essential tremor is a visible postural tremor of hands and forearms. It may include a kinetic component.(1) It is the most common movement disorder (1) Tremor is defined as a rhythmic and oscillatory movement of a body part with a relatively constant frequency and variable amplitude. It is caused by either alternating or synchronous contractions of antagonistic muscles. Tremor is the most common of all movement disorders, and essential tremor (ET AAN Summary of Evidence-based Guideline for PATIENTS and ThEIr FAMILIES TrEATMENT OF ESSENTIAL TrEMOr What is essential tremor? Essential tremor is a movement disorder that usually involves Essential tremor, also known as benign essential tremor, is a brain disorder that causes a part of your body to shake uncontrollably. The unintentional shaking motion is called a tremor. For Benign Essential Tremor: I was diagnosed with ET (essential tremor) about 12 years ago and first started on primidone at 50 mg nightly. As the disease progressed my doctor increased my dosage until I was three 250 mg tabs a day. Primidone is an anticonvulsant of the barbiturate class. It is a structural analog of phenobarbital and related to barbiturate-derivative anticonvulsants. Essential tremor is an uncontrollable shaking or trembling of part of the body. It usually involves the hands and head but can also impact the jaw, feet, tongue, face, or voice box. If symptoms. Essential tremor (ET, also referred to as benign tremor, familial tremor, or idiopathic tremor) is a progressive neurological disorder that is also the most common movement disorder.