Diagnosis is generally by history and careful examination. A skilled physician can usually exclude, at least tentatively, Parkinson's Disease by the absence of other signs of that disease. Tumors of the brain, especially the cerebellum, must also be ruled out sometimes with a CAT scan. It has been found that the drugs such as propranolol and primidone are quite effective in the treatment of this symptom, when it impairs the patient's quality of life. Alcohol is effective but when evaluated as a drug for regular long-term use, it is regrettably toxic.
Essential tremor tends to progress only very slowly, and seems to plateau in many patients.
With adequate drug management, most patients can manage quite nicely, unless their work involves frequent precise hand or voice control. In that event, more intensive drug drug therapy or even a career re-evaluation may be necessary. Life expectancy is apparently completely normal.