What symptoms are typical of baseline essential tremor?

Postural tremor: Typical essential tremor is marked by a postural tremor (present when holding a position, but not at rest) that is worse with stress and caffeine and better with rest and small amounts of alcohol. When diagnosing essential tremor, it is important to make sure that there is no increased tone, stiffness, numbness, weakness or other symptoms suggestive of an alternative disorder.

Shaking of hands: Shaking typically occurs on attempt to use hands such as writing, holding a spoon, knife or a cup. Shaking subsides on resting the arms on laps, chair or any surface. Legs typically do not shake.