Anxiety assessment
What is an anxiety assessment?
Typically, anxiety assessments are used to diagnose anxiety disorders such as:
1.Generalized Anxiety Disorder
2.Social Anxiety Disorder
3.Phobic Disorder (phobias)
4. Panic Disorder
Individuals with other conditions can also have anxiety:
1.Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
2.Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Many anxiety disorders are characterized by both emotional and physical sensations such as:
Emotional symptoms
Inability to stop worrying about your concerns
Feelings of never-ending stress
Being easily startled and/or quick to panic
Feeling socially isolated or alienated from others in your life
Problems in your social relationships due to the feelings of being vulnerable or elevated arousal.
Physical symptoms
Fatigue difficulty sleeping
Trouble catching your breath
Headaches
Trembling, muscle tension
Diarrhea/nausea
Sweating
Heart palpitations
Why is the assessment used?
Anxiety can affect how you feel, how you think, and how you behave. Anxiety assessments are used to determine whether an individual is predicted to be at high, medium, or low risk for having an anxiety disorder. It’s helpful to confirm the level of anxiety you’ve been experiencing (is it as high as you think or have you been living what you presumed was a low level when in fact, it’s been quite high?) This information is also beneficial for your therapist. Once your therapist has determined the level of anxiety that you may be facing, they will work with you to determine the best course of treatment for your anxiety so that you are able to get back to your daily life and the activities you love. NOTE: You do not need to have a formal anxiety assessment to effectively treat anxiety.
The assessment process
To assess anxiety, we have specific, objective testing instruments to evaluate your current level(s) of anxiety and subareas within this disorder. Your therapist will begin by gathering your background history, conducting a thorough interview to understand the symptoms you may be facing, and discussing your past experiences. Depending on the level of assessment, more specific and thorough tests are available. Throughout this process your therapist will ensure that you feel comfortable answering all questions while working together. The assessment can be done in two ways:
A 15-20 minute screen
A 2 hour formal assessment by one of our specialized therapists