DO I HAVE ANXIETY? TAKE OUR ANXIETY SCREENING QUIZ

Anxiety is a natural response to stress.  It can become overwhelming when it persists and intensifies, interfering with daily life. If you are reading this now, it seems likely that you are experiencing angst regarding this chapter of life.  There are many effective treatments that ramp up coping mechanisms and tiny lifestyle changes that reduce the suffering of anxiety tremendously.  The first step is to determine whether we need help.  If you are reading this, my inclination is that something is bothering you enough to take the time to click on this link and take this survey.  Grotto offers free clinical consultations to help you find a direction in your journey.  Let’s figure this out together, book a free consultation or call us, we always answer (877) 292-6020. 

Diagnosis involves a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional via a clinical interview in addition to the use of various standardized screening tools.  The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) questionnaire is one of the most commonly used measure of anxiety. This instrument provides a general idea of whether you are currently experiencing anxiety that meets the standard display of generalized anxiety.  The importance of the clinician cannot be understated as we often get a blurred understanding of self as we fall into the world of rumination, all or nothing thinking, worry, and reduced sense of self worth.  A clinician can hone in on the way in which we describe the experience and pick up on subtle inflections in the tone of voice, repetitive use of words or themes, or body language to truly understand and help guide the client through a full exploration of the experience of anxiety.  This screening tool is a helpful baseline to start with. However, by itself, it is not enough for a diagnosis; but, rather to give an idea of what we are experiencing.    Other conditions may have symptoms that overlap with anxiety but are the sum of another condition.  For this reason, it is important to see a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist if you believe you are struggling with anxiety. For more information regarding self-help with anxiety, this Anxiety Self-Help Resource list is here.  

Please scroll down to take the free and anonymous anxiety screener or return to the home screen.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

There are several types of disorders that spawn from the comprehensive concept of anxiety.  It is important to avoid diagnosing ourselves.  Many disorders have overlapping symptoms. Doctors of psychology use specially honed tools and clinical judgement to determine the best fitting diagnoses.  Remember, these doctors have spent on average 7 to 12 years in graduate school to learn about the nuances of the psyche.  This is one of the longest educational programs offered as we are measuring and understanding phenomena that cannot be physically measured.  With this caveat, the following provide an overview of the anxiety-based diagnoses proscribed by the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-V) of the American Psychological Association, the golden standard for psychological diagnostic criteria.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD is characterized by persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life such as health, work, relationships, or everyday situations. Individuals with GAD often find it challenging to control their worries, experiencing symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, and difficulty concentrating. This condition significantly impacts daily functioning and often coexists with other anxiety disorders or depression.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden surges of intense fear or discomfort accompanied by physical symptoms like heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, and feelings of impending doom. People with panic disorder often develop an ongoing concern about having future attacks, leading to avoidance behaviors related to certain places or situations.

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

Social anxiety disorder involves an intense fear of being scrutinized or judged in social or performance situations, leading to significant anxiety or avoidance. This fear is disproportionate to the actual threat posed by the situation and can hinder one’s ability to engage in social interactions, work, or school activities. Physical symptoms like blushing, sweating, trembling, and nausea may accompany this fear.

Specific Phobia

Specific phobia involves an intense and irrational fear of specific objects or situations, leading to avoidance behavior. Common phobias include fear of heights, animals, blood, needles, flying, or certain environments. Exposure to the feared object or situation triggers an immediate anxiety response, often leading to distress that significantly impacts daily life.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia involves anxiety about being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing or where help might not be available in the event of having a panic attack or other panic-like symptoms. This fear often leads to avoiding certain places or situations, which can severely restrict daily activities.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive fear or anxiety about separation from those to whom an individual is emotionally attached. This condition is commonly associated with children but can persist into adulthood, leading to significant distress when separated from attachment figures.

Selective Mutism

Selective mutism is a consistent failure to speak in specific social situations (e.g., school, social events) despite speaking in other situations. This disorder is often seen in children and can interfere with educational or social interactions.

Each of these disorders can be debilitating and significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. Treatment approaches typically involve a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and medication such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs are common interventions.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Psychotic disorders such as Schizophrenia can also have an element of anxiety; however, the underlying causal mechanism is slightly different than a primarily anxiety-based diagnosis.

Always remember, if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of an anxiety disorder, seeking professional help from a mental health provider is crucial for proper diagnosis and management.