Anxiety Disorder Test: Signs, Self-Assessment & Next Steps​

Anxiety disorders affect over ​​40 million adults​​ in the U.S., yet many don’t realize their symptoms are treatable. This guide includes a ​​quick self-test​​, explains common anxiety types, and reveals when to seek professional help—plus science-backed coping strategies.

Could You Have an Anxiety Disorder? 5 Key Signs​​

🔴 ​​Physical symptoms:​​

  • Rapid heartbeat, sweating, or trembling
  • Chronic stomachaches/headaches
  • Shortness of breath or dizziness

🔴 ​​Emotional/behavioral signs:​​

  • Constant worry that’s hard to control
  • Avoiding places/activities due to fear
  • Irritability or panic attacks

⚠️ Note: Occasional anxiety is normal, but if symptoms last ​​6+ months​​ and disrupt daily life, it may be a disorder.

​​Quick Self-Test (GAD-7 Screening)​​

Score each question from ​​0 (never) to 3 (nearly daily)​​:

  1. Feeling nervous or on edge?
  2. Trouble relaxing?
  3. Worrying too much?
  4. Fatigue easily?
  5. Difficulty concentrating?
  6. Irritability?
  7. Sleep disturbances?

​​Results:​​

  • ​​0–4:​​ Minimal anxiety
  • ​​5–9:​​ Mild (monitor symptoms)
  • ​​10–14:​​ Moderate (consider therapy)
  • ​​15+:​​ Severe (seek professional help)

(Based on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale used by clinicians)

​​6 Common Anxiety Disorders​​

1. ​​Generalized Anxiety (GAD)​​

  • Excessive worry about everyday things
  • Treatable with CBT therapy or SSRIs

2. ​​Panic Disorder​​

  • Sudden panic attacks with chest pain/fear of dying
  • May mimic heart attacks

3. ​​Social Anxiety​​

  • Fear of judgment in social settings

4. ​​Phobias​​

  • Extreme fear of specific things (heights, spiders)

5. ​​PTSD​​

  • Anxiety triggered by past trauma

6. ​​OCD​​

  • Intrusive thoughts + compulsive behaviors

​​When to See a Doctor​​

🚩 ​​Red flags:​​

  • Avoiding work/school due to anxiety
  • Using alcohol/drugs to cope
  • Suicidal thoughts

💡 ​​Professional tests used:​​

  • ​​Clinical interviews​​
  • ​​DSM-5 criteria​​
  • ​​Physical exams​​ (to rule out thyroid issues, etc.)

​​At-Home Coping Strategies​​

1️⃣ ​​Box breathing:​​ Inhale 4 sec → Hold 4 sec → Exhale 4 sec
2️⃣ ​​Progressive muscle relaxation:​​ Tense/release muscle groups
3️⃣ ​​Limit caffeine/alcohol​​ – Both worsen anxiety
4️⃣ ​​Journaling:​​ Write down worries to “declutter” your mind
5️⃣ ​​Apps to try:​​ Headspace (meditation), Woebot (CBT chatbot)

​​Treatment Options That Work​​

✔ ​​Therapy:​​ CBT (gold standard), exposure therapy
✔ ​​Medications:​​ SSRIs (Zoloft), SNRIs (Effexor), short-term benzodiazepines
✔ ​​Lifestyle changes:​​ Regular exercise, balanced diet, sleep hygiene

​​Myths vs. Facts​​

❌ Myth: “Anxiety is just weakness.”
✅ Truth: It’s a medical condition linked to brain chemistry.

❌ Myth: “Medications are addictive.”
✅ Truth: SSRIs are non-habit-forming (unlike fast-acting sedatives).

​​Take Action Today​​

  1. ​​Retake the GAD-7 weekly​​ to track progress
  2. ​​Book a telehealth therapy session​​ (BetterHelp, Talkspace)
  3. ​​Download a free anxiety workbook​​ (from ADAA.org)