Anxiety Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms and Diagnosis Do You Stress and Worry Too Much? Assess your level of anxiety By Elizabeth Scott, PhD Elizabeth Scott, PhD Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 03, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Steven Gans, MD Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board 1. Do you experience stomach issues or other physical anxiety symptoms? No, or if I do, I don't know about it. No, and I get physicals regularly, so I'd know. I may have one or two physical symptoms of anxiety. Yes, I have several physical symptoms. Correct Wrong 2. How does anxiety affect your activities? I don't let fear get in the way of doing things, ever. I use caution, but find a way to do the things that I'd really like to do. I don't limit activities, but experience anxiety daily over one thing or another. There are things I'd like to do but don't; I avoid what may give me anxiety. Correct Wrong 3. How does anxiety influence your sleep? Occasionally, if something's really on my mind, I'll have trouble falling asleep. I don't lose sleep worrying about anything. Ever. Sometimes I stay awake sorting out things I'm concerned about, but I don't spend much time on this. I'm often unable to fall asleep or get back to sleep because I'm worried about things. Correct Wrong 4. How do you handle traffic? I'm a classic 'road rager'; I experience a lot of anger and frustration in traffic. I get somewhat upset waiting in heavy traffic. I try to stay calm, but I do stress over it. I take routes that have light traffic, but I don't get too bothered if I have to wait. I don't worry about it at all; what can you do about it anyway? Correct Wrong 5. Do you fear a major crisis that's beyond your control? I don't worry about it at all. I'd rather not think about it. I worry about it constantly, imagining dire scenarios. Occasionally it comes up, and I feel pretty stressed. I remind myself that I've made a plan, then I think about something else. Correct Wrong 6. How do you think about the future? I expect the best, but try to anticipate what could go wrong and make contingency plans. I live in the moment and don't worry about the future. I often think about the worst case scenarios and obsess about them. I tend to be more aware of what can go wrong, and stress over it. Correct Wrong 7. How does anxiety affect your attitude about flying? Thoughts of attacks or crashes sometimes enter my mind, but I don't dwell. I don't alter my travel plans, but I do stress about all the things that can go wrong. I either avoid flying, or feel completely panicked when I do. I don't worry about these things at all. Why would something like this happen to me? Correct Wrong 8. How concerned are you about what others think of you? I avoid situations where I may be embarrassed, get too sweaty, or blush profusely. I try to decide people either like me or they won't, but be at peace either way. I do what feels right to me; if people don't like it, I don't want them in my life anyway. I worry a lot about how I come across with people, but I don't avoid social situations or friendships because of it. Correct Wrong 9. How concerned are you about your own mortality? I take care of myself in hopes of living as long as possible, but I mostly at peace with mortality. I often worry about my own death. I lose sleep thinking about it, and avoid risks. I don't worry at all, and live for the moment. We all have to go sometime, right? I fear death, and often worry about situations that may not seem dangerous to others. Correct Wrong 10. How much do you worry about things that are beyond your control? I worry about them a lot, and restrict my life to control what I can in my environment. I often worry about worst-case scenarios and things that could go wrong. I worry a little, and do what I can to plan for them, but I don't lose sleep about it. I never worry about things like this. I'll take things as they come. Correct Wrong Do You Stress and Worry Too Much? You got: Calm, Cool, and Collected OJO Images/Getty Images It looks like anxiety isn't a problem for you at all--or is it? Worry and anxiety can be useful emotions in that they alert us to when something isn't right in our lives, and inspire us to make changes; however, excessive levels of anxiety can be harmful and counterproductive. While it's wonderful that you don't allow yourself to stress over the future or 'what-if's, be careful that you don't also block out the messages that anxiety can bring you; be sure to tune into that inner voice that lets you know if changes need to be made, precautions taken, or potential problems avoided. Don't start stressing over small stuff, of course, but just listen to the messages that anxiety can bring before you let it go. THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment. Share Your Results Do You Stress and Worry Too Much? You got: You Might Have An Unhealthy Level of Anxiety Creative RM/BSIP/UIG/Getty Images According to your responses to this self-test, you may have an unhealthy level of anxiety. Worry and anxiety can be useful emotions in that they alert us to when something isn't right in our lives, and inspire us to make changes; however, excessive levels of anxiety can be harmful and counterproductive. If your levels of anxiety and worry are affecting your life, causing you to avoid doing things you'd like to do, or affecting your health and relationships, you may have an anxiety disorder. Because this test isn't intended to replace a professional analysis, you may want to talk to your doctor to rule out health problems or anxiety disorders. THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment. Share Your Results Do You Stress and Worry Too Much? You got: Anxiety Is Your Friend JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images You appear to have a healthy level of anxiety in your life. What does that mean? Worry and anxiety can be useful emotions in that they alert us to when something isn't right in our lives, and inspire us to make changes; however, excessive levels of anxiety can be harmful and counterproductive. You appear to allow anxiety and worry to do their job--inspire you to make healthy changes when necessary--but not cause undue stress. Good for you! For the times that you do experience anxiety that hurts, rather than helps, the following resources can help you to better understand anxiety, stress, and anxiety disorders: THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment. Share Your Results Do You Stress and Worry Too Much? You got: It Seems You May Worry Too Much Jamie Grill/ Getty Images While your level of anxiety doesn't appear to be diagnosable as an anxiety disorder (though you can talk to a doctor to be sure), you do worry too much, and probably cause yourself an undue amount of stress because of it. Worry and anxiety can be useful emotions in that they alert us to when something isn't right in our lives, and inspire us to make changes; however, excessive levels of anxiety can be harmful and counterproductive. If your anxiety is causing you stress rather than motivating you to make healthy changes, or if you're consistently worrying about things that are out of your control, this is an area where some new patterns of thinking are in order. THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment. Share Your Results By Elizabeth Scott, PhD Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit