How can I measure my anxiety level?

There are many ways to measure anxiety level. You can start just by observing how you feel and your breathing patterns and whether your heart is racing or beating faster. You can also check in with your behaviour and feelings over the course of a few days and ask yourself some questions. Such as, how often have you been feeling nervous, apprehensive or conscious and/or bothered? How often have you had little control over feeling this way? How many times have you worried excessively over one thing, or a few different things? How many times have you had difficulty falling asleep because certain thoughts have plagued you and kept you up? These are some common problems people with anxiety face. You can also measure anxiety level with the help of an online anxiety measurement test.

Is there a scale to measure anxiety?

Yes, there are standardized scales to measure anxiety. The most common measure used to check anxiety levels for treatment purposes is called the Hamilton Anxiety scale. It is used to measure Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Even though the Hamilton Anxiety Scale is a well-known and reliable measure, it can only be done and administered by a clinician or professional and requires solid training and research. It is also time-consuming. Some critics also say it gives too much weightage to somatic symptoms and does not adequately measure central symptoms of Generalised Anxiety Disorder.

What should your anxiety score be?

This depends on the kind of assessment you are taking. While the Hamilton Anxiety scale is a well-known tool to measure anxiety level, there are many other kinds of anxiety measurement tests out there which will have a different valuation and weightage to the questions. If following the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, then the results are as follows: less than 17 means that you have mild anxiety, score of 18-24 means that you have mild to moderate anxiety and scoring between 25-30 means that you have moderate to severe anxiety. This, however, is only applicable to Hamilton Anxiety Scale, so it is not the standard. If you are taking an anxiety measurement test, the person administering the test will be able to tell you what the ideal score should be.

What are the 7 anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders are similar in nature but there are specific traits that demarcate the different kinds of disorders known to us. The seven common anxiety that we know of are: Generalised Anxiety Disorder or GAD, panic disorder where you feel sudden fear that brings on a panic attack, social anxiety disorder or social phobia where you have intense fear and worry of stepping out and handling everyday social situations, separation anxiety disorder where you feel anxious when someone you are close to leaves your line of vision, OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder, PTSD or post traumatic stress disorder, and phobias.

What are the 5 levels of anxiety?

Everyone experiences stress of some sort at different junctures of their life and maybe even at different times when executing their work or day to day activities. Having said that, we need to understand that stress and anxiety can and will be a different experience for everyone. It can go from non-existent and mild to a full-blown panic attack. One one level, there is no stress or anxiety and all is calm and well. Mild anxiety is common in everyday life. Here, you stay open minded and collected, even while being a little stressed. This is the kind of nervousness that comes up when one is awaiting an exam result, starting a new venture or moving to a new place. Moderate anxiety will lead you to focus on the stressful thing in front of you while ignoring the rest of the things in your day or around you. You might experience a faster heartbeat and breath. Severe anxiety manifests in the form of more intense physical reactions – a pounding heartbeat or pains in the chest, headache or migraine, vomiting, trembling hands, scattered and racing thoughts, and even a sense of dread combined with erratic behaviour. And at the panic attack stage, you might feel suddenly paralysed, unable to move or speak – or it goes to the other extreme, where you are all jittery and find it impossible to stop fidgeting and sit still. You can learn more about your anxiety symptoms, if any, with an anxiety measurement test.

Can I self diagnose anxiety?

It is always best to get diagnosed by a medical professional or clinical psychologist. If you feel aware of your anxious feelings and think you may be suffering from anxiety, you can take an online anxiety measurement test and then consult a doctor/psychologist.