Symptoms include stress disproportionate to the impact of the event, inability to let go of worry, and restlessness. Feelings of anxiety usually come and go, lasting only a few moments or in certain situations. But if you have an anxiety disorder, these feelings of anxiety and fear can accompany you all the time. These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are disproportionate to the real danger, and can last a long time.
You can avoid places or situations to prevent these feelings. Symptoms may begin during childhood or adolescence and continue into adulthood. For some people, anxiety may be related to an underlying health problem. In some cases, signs and symptoms of anxiety are the first indicators of a medical illness.
If your doctor suspects that your anxiety may have a medical cause, he or she may order tests to look for signs of a problem. If you have symptoms, your doctor will examine you and ask questions about your medical history. You may be tested to rule out other health conditions that could be causing your symptoms. No laboratory test can specifically diagnose anxiety disorders.
Do I have anxiety? No two people experience anxiety in the same way, however, there are common symptoms. In this anxiety quiz, learn how symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) often manifest themselves in an adult's daily life. If you have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), you are concerned about everything, whether it is appropriate and necessary or not. If the symptoms of the generalized anxiety disorder test below seem familiar to you, take the results to a mental health professional for evaluation and diagnosis and treatment.
Adapted from the ADAA Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screening Test and the Mental Health America Anxiety Screening Test. This is not a diagnostic tool. If you are concerned about anxiety, see a mental health professional. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by clinical evaluation.
This self-examination is for personal use only.
