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What Causes Involuntary Jerks In Head?
Question: HI Dr XXXXXXX Rynne,
I am 30 years old now. About 6 years ago, my mother mentioned that she has seen my head shake from side to side when I am concentrating on something. I brushed it off and didn't think anything further. Over the last 10 years I have had a handful of comments about it but again havent' done anything. More recently a friend of mine who is a speech therapist asked if I knew my head shook because she notices it when I am listening or talking about something. She says it 'clicks' 3 times and then goes back to the centre. She said that she has notice it get worse over the past few weeks. My hands don't shake excessively (only in a stressful situation like giving a speech) and i can write and pick up a cup with no issues. I know my head slightly tilts left. I have noticed that in situations like having a photo taken of me I can feel the urge for my head to shake but not sure if that is the same thing. I am not sure if it happens when I am in a resting position like sleeping. Do you have any advice as this is very concerning for me and I am not sure what to do. Thank you for your help.
I am 30 years old now. About 6 years ago, my mother mentioned that she has seen my head shake from side to side when I am concentrating on something. I brushed it off and didn't think anything further. Over the last 10 years I have had a handful of comments about it but again havent' done anything. More recently a friend of mine who is a speech therapist asked if I knew my head shook because she notices it when I am listening or talking about something. She says it 'clicks' 3 times and then goes back to the centre. She said that she has notice it get worse over the past few weeks. My hands don't shake excessively (only in a stressful situation like giving a speech) and i can write and pick up a cup with no issues. I know my head slightly tilts left. I have noticed that in situations like having a photo taken of me I can feel the urge for my head to shake but not sure if that is the same thing. I am not sure if it happens when I am in a resting position like sleeping. Do you have any advice as this is very concerning for me and I am not sure what to do. Thank you for your help.
Brief Answer:
Could be due to Tic or Twitches of muscles
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from Health Care Magic, I am Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (Consultant Psychiatrist) here to answer your doubts.
I have read your query and I can understand your concern. You have sudden jerky movements of head since many years. These jerks or shakes were mild for years and you never paid attention to them. Recently they have started increasing in severity. These movements occur more when you concentrate on something. You also have slight tremors of hands during stressful situations. There is some urge to move head.
You have tremors in stressful situations and these are most likely due to some anxiety. In anxiety tremors or shakiness of hands is common. Sudden head shaking can be explained by sudden contraction of muscles of head most likely due to twitching (myoclonic jerks) or due to tics. A clinical examination is needed to differentiate these situations. A lot of individuals can control these movements but when they concentrate on something or talk to someone then sudden contractions of muscles occur resulting in tics. Tics are aggravated under stressful situations, after tiredness, with increased coffee or tea intake etc. Anxiety also cause increased risk of tics so they are related to anxiety disorder.
Fortunately most of individuals don't require treatment. Behavioural management, relaxation exercises help to control such movements in them. Only few require treatment. I would advise you to consult a Neuropsychiatrist for evaluation and treatment if these movements are causing significant distress. The urge to move head could be due to anxiety. Medicines like low dose Risperidone are helpful in decreasing such movements. Anti anxiety medicines like Clonidine, Guanfenacin etc are also very efficacious in such movements. Visit a psychiatrist for prescription of these drugs if needed. There is no need to fear from anything with proper treatment the movements will decrease.
Thanks, hope this helps you. If you have more uncleared doubts ask again in follow up.
Could be due to Tic or Twitches of muscles
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from Health Care Magic, I am Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (Consultant Psychiatrist) here to answer your doubts.
I have read your query and I can understand your concern. You have sudden jerky movements of head since many years. These jerks or shakes were mild for years and you never paid attention to them. Recently they have started increasing in severity. These movements occur more when you concentrate on something. You also have slight tremors of hands during stressful situations. There is some urge to move head.
You have tremors in stressful situations and these are most likely due to some anxiety. In anxiety tremors or shakiness of hands is common. Sudden head shaking can be explained by sudden contraction of muscles of head most likely due to twitching (myoclonic jerks) or due to tics. A clinical examination is needed to differentiate these situations. A lot of individuals can control these movements but when they concentrate on something or talk to someone then sudden contractions of muscles occur resulting in tics. Tics are aggravated under stressful situations, after tiredness, with increased coffee or tea intake etc. Anxiety also cause increased risk of tics so they are related to anxiety disorder.
Fortunately most of individuals don't require treatment. Behavioural management, relaxation exercises help to control such movements in them. Only few require treatment. I would advise you to consult a Neuropsychiatrist for evaluation and treatment if these movements are causing significant distress. The urge to move head could be due to anxiety. Medicines like low dose Risperidone are helpful in decreasing such movements. Anti anxiety medicines like Clonidine, Guanfenacin etc are also very efficacious in such movements. Visit a psychiatrist for prescription of these drugs if needed. There is no need to fear from anything with proper treatment the movements will decrease.
Thanks, hope this helps you. If you have more uncleared doubts ask again in follow up.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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