Thread: Head shaking

I spotted a woman who shakes her head while speech. I wonder which disease or malformation leads to such sympthom. I didn't notice any other sympthoms.

It's a common mannerism in America. Thought it might mean believing the opposite of what's said... but I can't decode it. They seem unconscious of it. Maybe comes from stage behaviour of looking around the audience?

BBC News - #BBCtrending: The Indian headshake decoded

So the Indian headshake is performed by the listener. What of headshaking by the one giving a monologue? Especially where the (apparent "no") shake accompanies positive statements?

EDIT: Anything to my guess that it's a sort of oratory device like gazing around an audience to reinforce a statement..?

Ok, but this woman wasn't from India, but Europe.

How old was she? Early Parkinson's or another kind of tremor?

There is a condition known as 'essential tremor'.

Summary

Essential tremor is a neurological (nervous system) disorder that causes involuntary shaking of particular parts of the body, usually the head and hands. The cause is unknown, although a genetic link is strongly suspected. Essential tremor is not a form of Parkinson's disease. Triggers may include emotional stress, caffeinated drinks, alcohol or insufficient sleep. There is no cure.

Essential tremor | Better Health Channel

Originally Posted by DianeG

How old was she? Early Parkinson's or another kind of tremor?

She was around 50 y.o. and only her head was shaking like a hell.