If you suspect a family member may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, ask him or her to answer the questions below by clicking the appropriate box. Print out the test and share it with a health
care professional.
HOW
CAN I TELL IF IT'S AN ANXIETY DISORDER?
Yes or No? Are you troubled by the following?
Yes
No
Repeated,
unexpected panic attacks during which you suddenly are overcome
by intense fear or discomfort for no apparent reason; or the
fear of having another panic attack?
Yes
No
Persistent,
inappropriate thoughts, impulses, or images that you can't
get out of your mind (such as a preoccupation with germs, worry about the order of things, or aggressive or sexual
impulses)?
Yes
No
Powerful
and ongoing fear of social situations involving unfamiliar
people?
Yes
No
Excessive worrying (for at least six months) about a number
of events or activities?
Yes
No
Fear
of places or situations where getting help or escape might
be difficult, such as in a crowd or on a bridge?
Yes
No
Shortness of breath or a racing heart for no apparent reason?
Yes
No
Persistent
and unreasonable fear of an object or situation, such as flying,
heights, animals, blood, etc?
Yes
No
Being
unable to travel alone?
Yes
No
Spending
more than one hour a day doing things over and over again (for
example, hand washing, checking things, or counting)?
More days than
not, do you experience the following?
Yes
No
Feel
restless?
Yes
No
Feel easily tired distracted?
Yes
No
Feel
irritable?
Yes
No
Have tense muscles or problems sleeping?
Yes
No
Have
you experienced or witnessed a traumatic life-threatening or deadly event or serious injury to yourself or
a loved one (for example, military combat, violent crime,
or serious car accident)?
Yes
No
Does
your anxiety interfere with your daily life?
Having more than
one illness at the same time can make it difficult to diagnose and treat the
different conditions. Illnesses that sometimes complicate anxiety disorders
include depression and substance abuse. With this in mind, please take a minute
to answer the following questions:
Yes
No
Have
you experienced changes in sleeping or eating habits?
More days than
not, do you feel...
Yes
No
sad
or depressed?
Yes
No
disinterested in life?
Yes
No
worthless
or guilty?
During the last
year, has the use of alcohol or drugs...
Yes
No
resulted
in your failure to fulfill responsibilities with work, school,
or family?
Yes
No
placed you in a dangerous situation, such as driving a car
under the influence?
Yes
No
gotten
you arrested?
Yes
No
continued
despite causing problems for you or your loved ones?
If you or someone
you know would like more information about helping a family member, please
click here to go to the ADAA resource page on that topic.
