You feel weak. Your eyelids are drooping. Your breathing feels shallow and tight. Maybe your voice sounds strange by the end of the day, or your smile feels uneven in the mirror. Everyone says it’s just stress or anxiety, but something in your body is telling you otherwise.
While anxiety can absolutely cause physical symptoms, some signs may point to something deeper, like myasthenia gravis (MG)—a rare, often misunderstood neuromuscular disorder. For many, the road to a correct MG diagnosis is long and filled with mislabels like panic disorder, chronic fatigue, or even depression.
So, how do you know the difference? And when should you push for answers?
What Is Myasthenia Gravis (MG)?
MG is a chronic autoimmune condition where the body produces antibodies that block or destroy the communication between nerves and muscles. This leads to muscle weakness—especially in muscles you use repeatedly throughout the day, like those controlling your eyes, face, swallowing, and breathing.2
Unlike generalized fatigue or weakness from stress, MG symptoms often worsen with activity and improve with rest. That means someone may feel fine in the morning but struggle to keep their eyes open, speak clearly, or chew food by evening.2
Symptoms That Overlap With Anxiety
It’s not uncommon for the early signs of myasthenia gravis (MG) to be mistaken for anxiety, especially since both can flare during times of emotional stress. Shared symptoms include:1
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking clearly
- Muscle tightness
- Vision changes (e.g., blurry vision, eye strain)
But here’s the difference: MG symptoms are related to muscle fatigue, not emotional distress. For example, if your eyelid droops more as the day goes on or your speech gets slurred after talking for a while—that’s a red flag for something neuromuscular, not psychiatric.1
Key Clues It Might Be More Than Anxiety
If you’ve been told your symptoms are “just in your head,” take a closer look. These signs may point to myasthenia gravis (MG):2
- One-Sided Eyelid Drooping (Ptosis)
This is often the first sign of MG. It usually worsens with activity—like reading, watching TV, or working on a computer—and gets better after resting your eyes. - Slurred or Nasal Speech That Worsens Over Time
If your voice changes or weakens throughout the day, or if people say you sound “tired” or “muffled,” it could be MG—not just stress or fatigue. - Difficulty Swallowing or Chewing
Especially with solid food or during long meals. Some people report feeling like food “gets stuck” or needing to rest during meals. - Muscle Weakness That Improves with Rest
A hallmark MG symptom: you might struggle to lift your arms or hold your head up after activity, but feel fine after sitting quietly for a while.
How Myasthenia Gravis (MG) Is Diagnosed
Because MG is rare and its symptoms can mimic many other conditions, diagnosis can be delayed by months or even years. If you or your provider suspects MG, a neurologist may order:3
- Blood tests for specific antibodies (anti-AChR, anti-MuSK).3
- Repetitive nerve stimulation or single-fiber EMG (tests how well nerves communicate with muscles).3
- CT or MRI to look for a thymoma (a tumor associated with MG in some people).3
- Ice pack test (it can temporarily improve ptosis (eyelid drooping) in MG).3
Anxiety and Myasthenia Gravis (MG) Can Coexist—But They’re Not the Same
To be clear, anxiety is very real and can cause physical symptoms. It’s also possible to have both anxiety and MG. But if your symptoms are:1
- Getting worse over time
- Not improving with rest or anxiety treatments
- Affecting your speech, vision, or ability to swallow
…it’s time to advocate for more testing.
You’re Not Imagining It
Myasthenia gravis may be rare, but it’s not invisible—and neither are you. If something doesn’t feel right in your body, don’t stop searching for answers.
You deserve to be heard. You deserve to be tested. And you deserve to feel well again.
References
- Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. (2025). What is Myasthenia Gravis? Retrieved from Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America: https://myasthenia.org/understanding-mg/what-is-myasthenia-gravis/
- NIH. (2024, July 19). Myasthenia Gravis. Retrieved from National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke : https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/myasthenia-gravis
- Rousseff, R. T. (2021). Diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis. Journal of Clinical Medicine.
