What Are Common Causes of Anxiety and Weakness?

Common causes of anxiety and weakness may be related to physical or psychological issues. Certain psychological problems that may cause anxiety and weakness are depression or various forms of mental illness. Medical conditions that can produce these symptoms include viral or bacterial infection, as well as cancer. Extreme physical exertion and exercise may lead to muscle weakness in some individuals.

Causes of weakness and anxiety can be commonly associated. In many cases, an illness such as influenza or pneumonia will often leave the patient feeling extremely fatigued or weak. When an individual is suffering from weakness, he may not be able to go to work for several days, sometimes longer. He may feel anxiety over concern for his illness and for missing work. This is one way the two issues are related.

Muscular weakness or joint weakness accompanied by anxiety may be caused by thyroid conditions. Hyperthyroidism, or hypothyroidism may cause these symptoms in many individuals. The muscular degeneration may manifest in stiffness or inability to accomplish everyday tasks. Anxiety and weakness can be a common occurrence when disorders of the thyroid are present.

Some individuals suffer from the two issues due to eye disease. Disorders such as macular degeneration often leave eye muscles weak and patients feeling anxiety over their optical health. When the retina becomes weakened with age, this disease may cause permanent vision loss.

A disease known as Guillain-Barre syndrome causes extreme weakness in major muscle groups. The arms, legs, and motor coordination will become weakened and affected. As this disease progresses or remains undiagnosed, the patient may suffer from total body paralysis. Many patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome may experience anxiety as a result of the disease.

Multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy typically cause muscle or entire body weakness in many patients. Symptoms may vary with some patients affected only mildly, while others have extreme disabilities. In some cases, paralysis may also be present. As the patient loses his freedom and independence, he may also suffer from anxiety and depression.

Those who suffer from panic attacks may suffer severe anxiety and weakness. Shortness of breath, racing heartbeat and inability to control emotions are often symptoms of this disorder. A general feeling of weakness, especially after the attack subsides, is a typical occurrence. The fatigue or all-over weakness is generally due to extreme reactions such as rapid heartbeat and profuse sweating.

When an individual suffers from long-term depression, this too can cause symptoms of anxiety and weakness. Physical weakness is often a common manifestation of depression. When a person is depressed, she may neglect essential requirements, such as proper sleep or nutrition. This often leads to fatigue and weakness.