How To Tell If I Have An Anxiety Disorder

Take The Anxiety Test: The Gad

If you want to take a quick anxiety test used by professional therapists, you can do it on the Calmerry tests page or just click the button above.

This simple test is widely used as a screening tool to identify and measure the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. It was developed by Dr. Robert L. Spitzer and his colleagues in 2006. It features 7 simple questions.

When taking the test, you should tell how often youve experienced certain symptoms over the last 2 weeks: not at all, several days, more than half the days, or nearly every day. These answers are assigned a score from 0 to 3. The total scores of 5, 10, and 15 indicate mild, moderate, and severe anxiety.

Keep in mind that scoring high on the GAD-7 anxiety test doesnt mean having an official diagnosis. However, that means that you will likely benefit from discussing the results with a licensed therapist.

You Have Anxiety About More Than One Area Of Your Life

In the DSM-5, generalized anxiety disorder is linked with excessive worry about multiple events or activities, including your career, school performance and interpersonal relationships. You might feel anxious about routine life circumstances, like job responsibilities, your health and your familys finances, too.

Your Worries Interfere With Your Day

Ultimately, an anxiety disorder may become so severe that the basic business of living becomes compromised. People suffering from OCD may need hours to get out of the house in the morning because the pillows on the bed arent arranged properly. Schoolwork and job performance may suffer because perfectionism makes it impossible to complete a project or because social anxiety makes it impossible to talk to classmates or colleagues. Things become worse when emotional symptoms lead to physical ones such as headaches, loss of appetite and sleeplessness. The question I ask first is, Is your anxiety impairing your functioning?â says Goldberg.

Anxiety responds well to professional care. Treatment may include psychotropic medications like Zoloft or Prozac, which can at least lower the voltage of the pain. That may make it easier to embrace and practice the techniques of cognitive behavioral therapy, in which people learn to talk back to their anxiety, reframe their fears to something less extreme, and practice self-soothing techniques like mindfulness or distraction or breathing. Slow, graduated exposure to the very things people fear also helps the brain break the link between the trigger situation and the terror that follows.

No one can live a life untouched by anxiety. But with the right skills and the right help, no one needs to live one that is destroyed by it, either.

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Signs Of Severe Anxiety

A little bit of anxiety is a good thing. It can inspire you to prepare thoroughly for a trip or practice a speech a few extra times. Severe anxiety, though, can fill you with worry and dread.

If these feelings interfere with your work, relationships or well-being, you may have an anxiety disorder. Other health problems can also cause anxiety.

Anxiety disorders are treatable. However, many people never seek treatment. They may not realize the severity of their symptoms. See a doctor if you recognize some of the following feelings and behaviors in yourself.

What About Shyness Or Quietness

While shyness and general quietness arent mutually exclusive from social anxiety disorder, one doesnt always mean the other. Many people are what we would consider shy or quiet, and those normal traits can lead to some anxiety.

People who are shy might be asked to speak up or just be themselves, and this social feedback could make them think that something is wrong. Its normal and natural to be introverted or shy, so long as youre not shuttered by an underlying feeling of intense anxiety and fear around social situations.

Social anxiety disorder doesnt have to do with your personality traits so much as your internal experience surrounding social interactions.

That intense anxiety will likely interrupt your ability to conduct life in the way you otherwise would. Lets take a look at some of the symptoms that social anxiety disorder produces that prevent one from living life freely.

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What Is Separation Anxiety Disorder

This condition mostly happens to children or teens, who may worry about being away from their parents. Children with separation anxiety disorder may fear that their parents will be hurt in some way or not come back as promised. It happens a lot in preschoolers. But older children and adults who experience a stressful event may have separation anxiety disorder as well.

How Does Medication Treat Anxiety Disorders

Medications cant cure an anxiety disorder. But they can improve symptoms and help you function better. Medications for anxiety disorders often include:

• Anti-anxiety medications, such as benzodiazepines, may decrease your anxiety, panic and worry. They work quickly, but you can build up a tolerance to them. That makes them less effective over time. Your healthcare provider may prescribe an anti-anxiety medication for the short-term, then taper you off or the provider may add an antidepressant to the mix.
• Antidepressants can also help with anxiety disorders. They tweak how your brain uses certain chemicals to improve mood and reduce stress. Antidepressants may take some time to work, so be patient. If you feel like youre ready to stop taking antidepressants, talk to your provider first.
• Beta-blockers, usually used for high blood pressure, can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of anxiety disorders. They can relieve rapid heartbeat, shaking and trembling.

Your healthcare provider will work with you to find the right medication combination and dosage. Dont change the dose without consulting your provider. Theyll monitor you to make sure the medicines are working without causing negative side effects.

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Panic Attacks And Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is characterized by repeated, unexpected panic attacks, as well as fear of experiencing another episode. Agoraphobia, the fear of being somewhere where escape or help would be difficult in the event of a panic attack, may also accompany a panic disorder. If you have agoraphobia, you are likely to avoid public places such as shopping malls, or confined spaces such as an airplane.

How Is Gad Treated

• The first line of treatment for GAD is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy , a serotonergic antidepressant , or both. Recognition of your particular cognitive distortions and learning cognitive restructuring techniques can be very helpful.

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is also a popular choice for therapists when treating GAD.

• Mindfulness training is invaluable for GAD as it is for most things we discuss on this site! I love an exercise called Worry Wells.

• Relaxation training has also been beneficial for individuals with GAD. My personal favorite is a Progressive Muscle Relaxation . Try this one.

• Meditation and yoga can help, too.

• To the extent you are able, use exercise as a tool to reduce your stress levels and increase your feel-good chemicals.

• And finally, there are alternative treatments, such as acupuncture and various movement techniques that you might try to see what might help you in addition to the above.

I would really like to hear what you have found works for you. Let me know!

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What Is Severe Anxiety

Anxiety is related to the body’s natural way of responding to stressful events and circumstances. When a stressor is present, the mind and body perceive it as a potential threat and react automatically, with the goal of staying safe.

This is actually helpful and means your body is working the way it should. Anxiety is a way of preparing for or anticipating future stress or possible negative experiences.

It’s when these feelings include constant worry, or a chronic sense of threat or impending dread, that an anxiety disorder may be at work.

Severe anxiety symptoms can become a persistent problem. They can interrupt daily functioning, impact quality of life, and become too difficult to manage. Severe anxiety can even bring about suicidal thoughts.

Anxiety in a broad sense is very common. In fact, it’s the most common type of mental health disorder, with 33% of people being impacted by an anxiety disorder in their lifetime.

Aim To Get A Good Nights Sleep

Not enough sleep can worsen symptoms of both anxiety and depression but too much sleep can also affect well-being and mood.

Experts recommend most adults get

These tips can help you get the sleep you need:

• Make a habit of going to bed and getting up around the same time each day.
• Turn off electronic devices about 1 hour before bedtime.
• Create a soothing ritual that helps you wind down before bed.
• Keep your bedroom dark, cool, and quiet.

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During A Panic Or Anxiety Attack

The following strategies can help during an attack:

• Acknowledgment: The symptoms of a panic or anxiety attack can be extremely frightening. Acknowledging the situation and remembering that symptoms will soon pass can reduce anxiety and fear.
• Breathing techniques: Difficulty breathing is among the most common and alarming symptoms of these attacks. Learning techniques to control breathing can help during an attack.
• Relaxation techniques: Methods of relaxation, such as progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery, can reduce feelings of panic and anxiety.
• Mindfulness: Mindfulness helps people stay grounded in the present moment. It can be especially beneficial for people with anxiety, who tend to worry about perceived and potential stressors.

Medical professionals will assess a persons symptoms and plan treatment accordingly. This will typically center on therapy, medication, or a combination of the two.

Is Ocd A Serious Mental Illness

OCD is a serious mental illness that can become debilitating if left untreated. It is characterized by high levels of fear, anxiety, and emotional distress. In severe cases of OCD, the disorder can prevent the individual from functioning in daily life, interfere with relationships and responsibilities, and significantly impact quality of life.

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Risk Factors For Anxiety Disorder

Some things also make you more likely to develop an anxiety disorder. These are called risk factors. Some risk factors you canât change, but others you can.

Risk factors for anxiety disorders include:

• History of mental health disorder. Having another mental health disorder, like depression, raises your risk for anxiety disorder.
• Childhood sexual abuse. Emotional, physical, and sexual abuse or neglect during childhood is linked to anxiety disorders later in life.
• Trauma. Living through a traumatic event increases the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder , which can cause panic attacks.
• Negative life events. Stressful or negative life events, like losing a parent in early childhood, increase your risk for anxiety disorder.
• Severe illness or chronic health condition. Constant worry about your health or the health of a loved one, or caring for someone who is sick, can cause you to feel overwhelmed and anxious.
• Substance abuse. The use of alcohol and illegal drugs makes you more likely to get an anxiety disorder. Some people also use these substances to hide or ease anxiety symptoms.
• Being shy as a child. Shyness and withdrawal from unfamiliar people and places during childhood is linked to social anxiety in teens and adults.
• Low self-esteem. Negative perceptions about yourself may lead to social anxiety disorder.

What Is Social Anxiety

Social anxiety disorder is a chronic mental health condition in which social interactions cause irrational anxiety. Social anxiety is more than just feeling shy. People with social anxiety have an intense fear of situations where they could be watched, judged, embarrassed, or rejected by others. The symptoms are so extreme that they interfere with the persons daily routine and prevent them from taking part in ordinary activities.

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Diagnosing Anxiety Disorders In Adults

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress that most people experience throughout their lives. A person may feel anxious when speaking in public, taking a test, or making an important life decision. But if the anxiety is more than temporary worry or fear, does not go away, or worsens over time, this may be a sign of an anxiety disorder.

NYU Langone specialists offer expert diagnosis of anxiety disorders, which are common mental health conditions that can interfere with daily activities, affecting your performance at work and school as well as your relationships.

If you experience any symptoms of an anxiety disorder, see your doctor or a mental health specialist, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker.

To diagnose an anxiety disorder, a doctor performs a physical exam, asks about your symptoms, and recommends a blood test, which helps the doctor determine if another condition, such as hypothyroidism, may be causing your symptoms.

The doctor may also ask about any medications you are taking. Certain medications may cause symptoms of anxiety. These include levodopa, a medication used to manage Parkinsons disease, and cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant used to prevent the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

If the doctor does not find an underlying cause of the symptoms, he or she performs a psychological evaluation.

How Are Stress Anxiety And Depression Connected

Anxiety and depression can be caused by several things, including:

• Sleep disturbances, like difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning

Advanced signs of a major depressive disorder include:

• Feeling down or depressed most of the day, nearly every day
• Diminished interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Significant changes in your weight
• Difficulty with sleep, like difficulty falling, staying asleep or sleeping too much
• Fatigue or frequently feeling tired
• Difficulty concentrating
• Distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning

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Do I Have An Anxiety Disorder

If you identify with any of the following seven signs and symptoms, and they just wont go away, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder:

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• Shaking or trembling.

Because of these physical symptoms, anxiety sufferers often mistake their disorder for a medical illness. They may visit many doctors and make numerous trips to the hospital before their anxiety disorder is finally recognized.

The link between anxiety symptoms and depression

Many people with anxiety disorders also suffer from depression at some point. Anxiety and depression are believed to stem from the same biological vulnerability, which may explain why they so often go hand-in-hand. Since depression makes anxiety worse , its important to seek treatment for both conditions.

You Have Consistent Muscle Aches Or Headaches

Similar to GI issues, you could feel physical aches in your muscles or your head if youre constantly stressed and tense about whats to come, Zakarin warns. These arent always due to anxiety, but like poor sleep, theyre symptoms we tend to overlook like theyre not a big deal, she says. Poor sleep could also be a contributing factor to the aches, along with general tightness throughout the body from chronically carrying around stress.

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Finding The Right Resources To Answer Your Questions And Meet Your Complex Needs

Just as anxiety and depression tend to be worse when occurring together, treatment of these disorders is most effective when both conditions are addressed at the same time.1

Hartgrove Behavioral Health System provides integrated care that treats these and other mental health issues simultaneously. As part of our comprehensive care, medical specialists and therapists work together to help bring healing and balance in our patients lives a feeling of being in charge of their inner self again.

2 How to Cope With Anxiety and Depression. Everyday Health, August 27, 2015.

3 Anxiety Disorders. National Institute on Mental Health, March 2016.

4 Depression. National Institute on Mental Health, October 2016.

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Coping Strategies That Can Help You Manage Normal Anxiety Or A Disorder

Whether your anxiety is situational or stems from a disorder, a few healthy coping strategies may help restore your sense of calm, says Bourne.

One oft-recommended technique is deep breathing, in which you slowly inhale through your nose so that your chest and belly expand and then slowly exhale through your mouth, according to Harvard Health. Repeat for a period of two to three minutes or longer.

Deep breathing helps relieve anxiety by activating your parasympathetic nervous system, which reduces the overall stress and anxiety you may be experiencing, explain Mayo Clinic experts. This, in turn, typically slows your heartbeat and stabilizes blood pressure. A focus on your breathing can help you let go of distracting thoughts or feelings, Harvard Health says.

Another common technique for reducing anxiety, notes Bourne, is to identify and replace fearful self-talk.

First, Bourne says, identify any fearful thoughts going through your head. Many of these thoughts are What if? statements, with examples including, What if I stutter? or What if they see me sweating?

Try replacing the fearful self-talk with calming and constructive statements, such as, Ive handled this before and can handle it again, or I can be anxious and still deal with this situation, he suggests.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, other ways to manage anxiety are:

• Identify your personal triggers.

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