While everyone experiences anxiety occasionally, some people are affected by anxious thoughts to the point that their daily lives are impacted. It can be hard to determine whether you are experiencing normal, transitory anxiety or whether you are suffering from an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders include obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder and phobias. If you are experiencing anxiety and you can not determine an event or situation that seems to be causing it, you may need to be screened for an anxiety disorder.
Step 1
Keep a journal detailing your feelings and physical symptoms. You may be able to trace your anxious feelings to certain foods or beverages that you are consuming, medications that you are taking or stressful situations that you often find yourself in.
Step 2
Take an anxiety-screening questionnaire. Ask your doctor for a recommendation, or use the screening questions suggested by Dr. Dallas P. Seitz, psychiatry resident at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.
Step 3
See your family physician for a general check-up. Some physical problems can cause a racing heart, sweating and other symptoms that you may confuse with the signs of anxiety attacks. Bring your journal and your completed anxiety screening questionnaire to help the doctor diagnose or rule out an anxiety problem.
Tips and Warnings
- Comply with any treatment plan that your mental health professional recommends. If you are placed on medication, do not stop taking it suddenly or without your doctor's advice. Take good care of yourself by eating nutritiously, getting some exercise each day and getting enough sleep. These behaviors can reduce stress and anxiety.
Things You'll Need
- Journal
