It’s common to feel stressed, anxious, or any combination occasionally. All the same, you’re the best person to recognize what’s typical for you. If you start to experience new uncomfortable feelings, negative thoughts, changes in your energy and motivation, poor concentration, or any other unusual severe symptoms, it never hurts to connect with a mental health professional for more guidance.

You might wonder whether an online self-test for anxiety could offer more insight into your mental health conditions. Some people do find these a helpful place to start – but a more personalized route might involve asking yourself a few questions:

• Do I often feel excessively worried or fearful about various aspects of my life?

• Do I find it challenging to control my worrying thoughts, even when I know they are irrational?

• Do I frequently feel restless or on edge?

• Have I experienced physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, or trembling when faced with stressful situations?

• Do I have difficulty falling or staying asleep due to racing thoughts or worries?

• Do I avoid certain situations or activities because they make me anxious or uncomfortable?

• Do I often feel fatigued or have low energy, even without apparent reason?

• Do I experience muscle tension, headaches, or other physical symptoms related to stress or anxiety?

• Do I feel easily irritated, agitated, or have a short temper?

• Have I noticed changes in my eating habits, either overeating or loss of appetite, due to anxiety?

• Do I frequently experience intrusive or unwanted thoughts that are difficult to control?

• Have I had panic attacks or sudden episodes of intense fear or dread?

• Do I struggle to concentrate or stay focused on tasks because of anxiety?

• Have I withdrawn from social activities or hobbies I once enjoyed because of anxiety?

• Do I feel constant unease or impending doom, even without a specific reason?

• Have these symptoms persisted for an extended period, typically at least six months?

If you answered “yes” to most of the questions above, it may be time to reach out to our online health care clinicians.

It’s always a good idea to get professional mental health services for symptoms that:

• Last longer than a week or so

• Create problems in your everyday activities or personal relationships

• Begin to affect your physical health and well being

No single test can diagnose anxiety. Instead, our online medical team will generally start by asking questions about your symptoms, including how long you’ve had them and how they affect your daily life, to get more insight into what you’re experiencing.

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and based on the criteria in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5),” diagnosis requires: you experience excessive, uncontrollable worry and 3 additional anxiety symptoms most days for at least 6 months.