Do You have A-N-X-I-E-T-Y?

By Bill Gaultiere © 2000

Here’s a short self-test to help you see if you (or a loved one) might have a problem with “A-N-X-I-E-T-Y.” This is a simple screening tool to identify key symptoms of anxiety disorders.

Keep track of your “yes” answers, circling any of the seven symptoms that have one or more yes answers.

1. A gitated?  Are you easily frustrated or irritated or upset?  Do you lose your temper often?
2. N ot sleeping?  Are you having trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep?  Do you often wake up and not feel rested?
3. X –fears?  Do you have any fears that you accommodate by avoiding situations?  Are you afraid of social situations, interpersonal conflict, rejection, failure, public speaking, leaving home, airplanes, spiders, knives, etc.?
4. I n your body?  Have you been experiencing shortness of breath, heart palpitations, tightness in your chest, discomfort in your stomach or bowels, twitching, shaking hands, sweaty palms, or tingling?
5. E scalating worries?  Are you worried about problems you’re facing?  Do your thoughts race out of control?
6. T raumas relived?  Does your mind keep re-experiencing an upsetting event(s)?  Are you having nightmares?
7. Y es all the time?  Do you feel pressured to say yes to other people, to your perfectionism, or to make troubling thoughts go away?

Scoring: Two or more yes answers suggest you may have a problem with anxiety.  For diagnoses and treatment consult in person with a doctor or psychotherapist.

Thank you!

Bill & Kristi