Will An Anxiety Test Help And Should You Take One?
Anxiety disorders affect over 20 million Americans, so it may come as no surprise that there are many resources available both in-person and online that claim to be able to help a person screen themselves for relevant symptoms. Though they can help you learn more about your symptoms and may help point you toward appropriate professional support, anxiety tests you take from home aren’t typically meant to replace a real diagnosis. Plus, not all tests are created equally – some may spread misinformation that can lead you to overlook or even mistreat your symptoms. Regardless of whether you use an anxiety test, it’s generally best to speak to a professional if you think you may be experiencing signs of an anxiety disorder so you can get the help you might need.
What is in an anxiety test?
An anxiety test is typically meant to measure to what extent a person shows signs of a potential anxiety disorder. Many tests involve a question-and-answer process that encourages users to consider how their experiences relate to certain statements. They may seek to understand how you react to different situations to determine whether or not you experience anxiety and how much. There are also tests that may analyze the severity of your symptoms if you know you have anxiety already.
Anxiety tests usually take anywhere from 2-15 minutes depending on how complex and in-depth they are. The length of the test doesn't necessarily determine its effectiveness, though. What your test can help with is giving you results that can be taken to a healthcare professional for further evaluation.
Types of anxiety tests
It’s generally possible to find tests meant to help you understand symptoms related to a variety of anxiety disorders, including those listed below:
- Generalized anxiety disorder, which is the most common
- Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Separation anxiety disorder
- Specific phobias
Typically, tests focused on these mental health disorders will ask about how you feel in certain situations, whether you avoid doing things, and how frequently you experience your symptoms. The exact format of these tests can vary, but they typically use multiple-choice questions or ask patients to rate how much they agree with a statement on a numbered scale.
It can be important to remember that while tests available to you online may help you learn more about your symptoms and what they might mean for your mental health, they are not meant to replace a professional evaluation. If you suspect you may have an anxiety disorder of any kind, it’s typically best to speak with a medical professional about what steps to take to learn more.
Free or paid?
A free anxiety test is a way many people begin to consider their symptoms, perhaps because they're easy to find. After all, you can simply search for "anxiety test online," and you'll likely have hundreds of results of sites that claim to be able to test your anxiety. Still, many of them are little more than questionnaires without any real diagnostic basis, so they may not give you accurate results.
You may also encounter paid tests online that may or may not come from reputable sources. In some cases, paid tests may be more in-depth or longer than free options. Nonetheless, there's no guarantee either paid or free tests will give you the information you need about your anxiety, so neither is necessarily better than the other. Because they can’t replace a professional diagnosis regardless, it may be best to stick with free tools; they can likely deliver the same results and achieve the goal of educating you about your symptoms.
Can anxiety tests help those who use them?
While an anxiety test isn't meant to diagnose or treat an anxiety disorder, they can help patients by identifying symptoms, stressors, and other signs of a potential mental health disorder. These online "quiz" style tests are different than the anxiety test doctors use, but they may also familiarize you with the process of being professionally evaluated down the line.
Should you take an anxiety test?
You may benefit from taking an anxiety test if you’d like to learn more about how your experiences might relate to a mental health disorder, but you don’t necessarily have to in order to pursue proper treatment. These sorts of resources might be best for those who aren’t sure what sort of symptoms they might be experiencing or those who are preparing to speak to a professional for a diagnosis or evaluation.
There is no one right answer, then, for whether you should take an anxiety test or not. It likely depends on your goals and whether you think it would help you to see the results of one. If your hope is to find a diagnosis that fits you, though, it’s likely best to seek out the opinion of a professional.
Finding professional help for anxiety
Regardless of whether you have an anxiety disorder or not, it can be helpful to speak to someone who is qualified to help you address your concerns. Reaching out to a mental health professional like a therapist may be a good way to get started; even if you do end up needing to speak a doctor or psychiatrist for a thorough screening, it’s likely that therapy will be a part of your long-term treatment plan.
Online therapy can make it easier than ever to connect with someone who understands your needs and can help you find the resources you might require to get the answers you’re after. Because you can attend sessions from home, work, your car, or wherever else you can find an internet connection, you can save time and money you might otherwise spend going to and from in-person offices.
Research suggests that online therapy can effectively treat symptoms of several mental health disorders, including some related to anxiety. In fact, one recent literature review of several studies on online cognitive behavioral therapy found it could lead to significant improvements in anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic disorder, and other mental illness symptoms. Even if an anxiety disorder isn’t what’s causing your symptoms, it’s likely you can benefit from speaking to someone who can help you uncover what might be instead.
Takeaway
What questions do they ask in an anxiety test?
The questions vary a little depending on the test, but you may see a series of questions asking you to choose how often you have experienced things in the last month or so on a scale of never, rarely, sometimes, often, or very often. Questions might include things like, “How often do you worry about multiple things at once?” or “How often does your anxiety prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep?”. Other questions could be, “How often do you have trouble relaxing?”, “Do you become irritable quickly?”, “Do you feel like you can’t control worrying?”, or “Are you easily annoyed?”
How do you know if you should get tested for anxiety?
If you feel that you are exhibiting symptoms of anxiety or if you’re feeling nervous but you can’t put your finger on what it is, taking an anxiety test may help. It is important to remember, though, that while taking an anxiety test online, even from a reputable website, can help you identify and learn more about anxiety symptoms, it is not a replacement for a professional evaluation or diagnosis from a physician.
How do you test your anxiety level?
Anxiety tests can help you determine if you’re experiencing common symptoms of anxiety, but for a more accurate idea of your anxiety level, talking to a qualified mental health professional may be best. A therapist may use the GAD-7, a seven-question screening tool that can help determine whether a complete and more thorough anxiety assessment is warranted.
Is there a way to check anxiety levels?
Anxiety tests can help you check anxiety levels. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) has been around since 1983 and can help you determine if your stress is low, moderate, or high. You can also try a stress tracker. Many apps are available if you prefer to track things digitally, or you can record how you feel every day in a journal. Keep track of any physical symptoms of stress. Everyone experiences stress differently, but some common signs of increased stress might be breakouts, pain, sleeping problems, fatigue, digestive issues, headaches, or changes in eating habits.
Can you test yourself for anxiety?
Many online tests are available to analyze anxiety symptoms, but they cannot replace an assessment and diagnosis from a mental health professional. If you take an anxiety test indicating that you may be experiencing signs of an anxiety disorder, reaching out to a mental health professional may be a good next step. They can use other screening tools and determine if you do, in fact, have an anxiety disorder and help you through treatment.
How do I know if my anxiety is real?
Everyone experiences real anxiety occasionally, but if you have frequent, intense, and persistent anxiety or periods of feeling afraid, it may be something more than everyday worry. An online anxiety test can help you learn about anxiety symptoms, but talking to a mental health professional may be the best way to determine if your anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder.
What is a normal level of anxiety?
Anxiety is a part of life, and it’s something that everyone experiences occasionally. What is “normal” will vary from person to person, but if your anxiety symptoms persist and begin to interfere with your happiness, talking to a therapist can help. A trained mental health professional can help determine if you have an anxiety disorder or if what you’re experiencing is situational. Whether you’re diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or just want help learning to manage life’s challenges, they can help you learn coping skills to manage your symptoms that may improve your situation.
How does test anxiety affect test taking?
Test anxiety can happen for many reasons. Some students may feel they need to be perfect, and the pressure to perform well may make them anxious before an exam. Others may know that they are not well-prepared and don’t understand the material as well as they should, which can lead to a lack of self-confidence. Research has found that test anxiety is associated with poorer academic performance and low test scores in general.
What is not a good way to handle test anxiety?
If you have test anxiety, you should avoid anything that may make you feel less prepared. You can try to study as much as possible. Try to get a good night’s sleep the night before, and ensure you eat a nutritious breakfast the morning of the test. Get to class early if you can, and try to have a positive attitude. You can also decide to use positive self-talk to boost your confidence and take deep breaths as you sit at your desk to stay calm. When it comes time to take the test, reading the instructions and all of the questions and answers carefully can help you feel more comfortable. Checking in on the time every once in a while can help you stay on track so you don’t run out of time.
How do you comfort someone with anxiety?
It can be challenging to know how to help someone with anxiety, but there are some things you can do to show your support. First, don’t enable them by changing your behavior to accommodate their anxiety. They may ask to avoid doing different things or going to certain places because of their anxiety, but if they continue to avoid those things, it may only make their anxiety worse. At the same time, pushing someone who isn’t ready to do something can be damaging as well. Instead, you may try offering validation by saying something like, “I understand that it makes you worry.” If you notice changes in behavior, you can reach out and tell them you noticed they’re avoiding certain things and ask if they’re okay. If their behavior is starting to affect their ability to function, it may be time to encourage them to get professional help.
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