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Anxiety Disorder Quiz

anxiety disorder quiz illustration

Anxiety Disorder Quiz: Could You Be Experiencing an Anxiety Disorder?

 

Welcome to the Anxiety Disorder Quiz - a resource to help you identify common signs of anxiety. If you’ve been searching for clarity about what you’re feeling, this quiz-style article is here to help. Created by Joshua Fletcher, anxiety therapist and previous anxiety sufferer, these are the key questions I ask when working with clients.

 

1. Do You Feel Constantly on High Alert?

“I don’t feel like I used to. I constantly feel on high alert, like something bad is going to happen.”

 

Anxiety often feels like your brain is stuck in “danger mode,” even when no real threat exists. It’s exhausting and can leave you feeling on edge.

 

2. Do You Experience Racing Thoughts?

“My thoughts feel faster and more urgent than usual, like my brain is in overdrive.”

 

Racing thoughts are a hallmark of anxiety, pulling your focus toward worst-case scenarios and making it difficult to concentrate or relax.

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3. Are You Struggling with Health Anxiety?

• “I feel really uncertain about certain symptoms, and I can’t seem to leave them alone.”

• “I constantly monitor for symptoms or seek reassurance because I feel like I’m on high alert all the time.”

 

Health anxiety can make every symptom feel like a potential threat, keeping us stuck in a cycle of checking, worrying, and seeking reassurance. This hyper-focus reinforces anxiety and prevents the body from calming down.

 

4. Do You Fixate on Strange Symptoms?

• “I’ve started focusing on odd sensations, like derealization (feeling detached from the world) or depersonalization (feeling detached from myself).”

• “I also fixate on physical symptoms like heart palpitations, dizziness, or feeling uneasy on my feet.”

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Anxiety amplifies your awareness of physical sensations, often making harmless symptoms feel frightening and urgent.

 

5. Do You Struggle with Panic Attacks?

• “I’ve experienced sudden surges of fear, doom, and overwhelm.”

• “Panic attacks frighten me because they feel so strange and dissociating.”

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Panic attacks are one of the most intense manifestations of anxiety. They can leave you feeling helpless and stuck in a cycle of fear and avoidance.

 

6. Do You Have Intrusive Thoughts?

• “I suddenly have vivid, intrusive thoughts that feel urgent and out of character for me.”

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Intrusive thoughts are common with anxiety and can feel shocking or upsetting, but they are just thoughts—nothing more. However, these thoughts can trigger the threat response and a sense of urgency when we are in an anxious, sensitised state.

 

7. Have You Tried Techniques or Supplements That Seem to Make Things Worse?

• “I’ve tried mindfulness, box breathing, or other calming techniques, but they only seem to make my anxiety feel worse.”

• “I’ve used supplements like magnesium, chamomile tea, or herbal remedies, but they haven’t helped and sometimes even add to the problem.”

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When we’re anxious, certain techniques or remedies can feel frustrating if they don’t work instantly. Anxiety thrives on the pressure to “fix” it, which can make some solutions feel ineffective or even amplify the problem.

 

8. Is Your Sleep Cycle Affected?

• “I find it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up feeling rested.”

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Anxiety can wreak havoc on your sleep, often keeping you awake with racing thoughts or waking you up during the night.

 

9. Is Your Digestion Affected?

• “I’m experiencing digestion issues like bloating, nausea, or irregular bowel movements.”

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Anxiety diverts the body’s energy away from digestion, leading to symptoms like an upset stomach, reflux, or other GI issues.

 

10. Do You Find It Difficult to Sit Still?

• “I feel overwhelmed and restless, like I always need to be moving or doing something.”

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Anxiety can make stillness feel unbearable, leaving you constantly fidgeting or pacing to ease the discomfort.

 

11. Do You Avoid Places or Activities Because of Overwhelm?

• “I avoid driving, social events, or even visiting family because I’m scared of how I’ll feel.”

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Avoidance often feels like a way to stay safe, but it can reinforce the fear and limit your confidence over time.

 

12. Do You Often Think, ‘I’ll Leave This Alone Once I’ve Fixed It’?

• “I feel like I need to solve or fix how I’m feeling before I can move on with my life.”

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This thought is one of the most common with anxiety disorders. It keeps us stuck in a loop of fixing and checking, which reinforces the anxious cycle.

 

13. Do You Find Yourself Googling for Answers?

• “I’m constantly seeking reassurance by Googling symptoms or going down Reddit rabbit holes.”

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Reassurance-seeking can feel like a way to solve the problem, but it often adds to the uncertainty and keeps the cycle of anxiety going.

 

14. Are You Trying to ‘Think’ Your Way Out of Anxiety?

• “I’m constantly trying to find an explanation for how I feel, but it just leads to more overthinking and rumination.”

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Anxiety thrives on compulsions like overanalyzing, which only deepens the feelings of uncertainty.

 

15. Are You More Tired Than Usual?

• “I feel more fatigued than usual, and I have less energy or enthusiasm for the things I used to enjoy.”

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Living in a state of high anxiety is physically and mentally draining, which can leave you feeling burnt out.

 

How Did You Do?

 

If you found yourself ticking off multiple points, it’s a good indication that anxiety might be playing a significant role in your life. All of the above questions are associated with having an anxiety disorder. These are also things that I resonate with personally from my own experiences and the work I do with clients every day.

 

My first piece of advice for anyone struggling with these feelings is to learn about anxiety. Understanding what anxiety is and identifying what behaviors are keeping the threat response switched on can be incredibly empowering. The good news? You can overcome an anxiety disorder.

 

I teach people how I overcame my own struggles with anxiety, as well as how I work with clients professionally as a therapist. If you’re ready to take the first step, here’s where you can start:

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• 🎙 Listen to the Disordered podcast at disordered.fm, where we dive into everything anxiety-related in an accessible, supportive way.

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• 📖 Read my book, Untangle Your Anxiety - a great primer to help you feel seen and better understand anxiety.

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• 📸 Follow me on Instagram for daily tips, support, and relatable content: @anxietyjosh.

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•  Work with a therapist, particularly knowledgable in anxiety disorders and 3rd wave Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)​

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You’re not alone in this, and there is hope. With the right tools, you can feel like yourself again and leave the cycle of anxiety behind.

 

Disclaimer: This quiz is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. If you’re concerned about your symptoms, consult with a healthcare professional.

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©2025 by School of Anxiety Limited

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