From the Guidelines
You are likely experiencing muscle weakness and tremors due to the physiological effects of anxiety, which can trigger a fight-or-flight response, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol that can cause muscle fatigue and tremors. According to a 2020 study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 1, anxiety is a common symptom precipitating or perpetuating factor in functional neurological disorder (FND), and can have a physical impact on the body, including muscle weakness and tremors.
Key Points to Consider
- Anxiety can act as a symptom precipitating or perpetuating factor in FND, and may contribute to muscle weakness and tremors
- The physiological effects of anxiety, such as a racing heart rate and tight chest, can be experienced without recognizing the emotional experience of anxiety
- Occupational therapy (OT) can help address anxiety through education, breathing techniques, progressive muscle relaxation, and other anxiety management strategies
Management Strategies
To manage muscle weakness and tremors caused by anxiety, consider the following strategies:
- Breathing techniques, such as deep breathing exercises
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Grounding strategies
- Visualization
- Distraction
- Thought reframing
- Mindfulness
- Integrating activities of enjoyment
- Regular cardiovascular exercise It is essential to note that if symptoms persist beyond 24-48 hours, are severe, or are accompanied by other concerning symptoms, consult a healthcare provider to rule out other conditions.
From the Research
Muscle Weakness and Tremors after a Stressful Day
- Muscle weakness and tremors can be experienced after a stressful and anxiety-filled day due to the body's physiological response to stress 2.
- The brain plays a central role in the response to stress, determining what is threatening and the physiological and behavioral responses that follow 2.
- Stress involves two-way communication between the brain and other systems, including the cardiovascular and immune systems, via neural and endocrine mechanisms 2.
Physiological Response to Stress
- The physiological response to stress can lead to wear and tear on the body, known as "allostatic load" 2.
- Hormones associated with stress, such as cortisol, can protect the body in the short-run but also produce maladaptive effects on the brain and body over time 2, 3.
- The cortisol response to stress can be influenced by expectancy and anticipatory stress regulation, with individuals who have high expectancies of being able to deal with stressful situations showing a lower cortisol response to stress 3.
Relationship between Stress and Muscle Weakness and Tremors
- While there is no direct evidence in the provided studies that links stress to muscle weakness and tremors, research on orthostatic tremor (OT) suggests that stress and anxiety can contribute to the development of tremors 4.
- The study on OT found that different types of OT and orthostatic myoclonus can be diagnosed using electrophysiological evaluation and neuroimaging tools, and that the prognosis associated with the use of medication can vary depending on the type of OT and the cause 4.
Anxiety and Self-Referential Processing
- Anxiety in response to naturalistic and laboratory stressors can be influenced by self-referential processing, with greater negatively biased self-referential processing associated with higher anxiety symptoms 5.
- Positively biased self-referential processing can serve as a protective factor, associated with a greater decline in anxiety symptoms over time 5.