How do I know if I have an anxiety disorder?

Have you ever wondered if you have an anxiety disorder? Well, if this is a question that you ask yourself often, then it might be indicative that you have anxious traits… but let’s take a deeper look into this question. I often hear people casually throwing terms out like- anxiety, anxious, panic attack, etc. As a mental health therapist, these terms mean very specific things. They don’t always have the same definitions when we use them casually in conversation.  

When I hear people saying things such as, “I had a panic attack”, I tend to wonder, “Would it be more accurate to say that you were very nervous or overwhelmed, or did you actually have a panic attack?” The same is true if I hear someone say “I have horrible anxiety”. That may be true, but it’s important as a mental health therapist to examine that statement closely to make sure it would not be more accurate to say something like “I have a tendency to overthink or become fearful”.  

Does being anxious mean I have an anxiety disorder? 

There is a difference between being anxious and having an anxiety disorder. For example, if I know I have to present or talk to a new person, I typically become a bit anxious. My face might get a little red, I become shy, I get nervous that I might mess up. However, does the fact that I get anxious in this situation mean I have an anxiety disorder?  

The word disorder indicates that there is a significant disturbance in my mood, thoughts, or behaviors. These significant disturbances usually would impact my daily functioning and livelihood. When we talk about the phrase “anxiety disorder”, it must be understood that that is an umbrella term. Meaning, there are different types of anxiety disorders. For example: separation anxiety disorder, selective mutism, specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, etc.  

There are key criteria for each of these anxiety disorders that must be checked and met before someone could say that they have an anxiety disorder. One note to consider is that with disorders, we need to look at persistence, duration, and intensity. So, while talking to people or presenting might make me temporarily anxious, I am still able to accomplish the task and recover from my anxious feelings quickly afterwards. Therefore, this would be a good example of how I might have anxious traits or tendencies, but it does not rise to the level of having an anxiety disorder. Talking with a mental health therapist is a great way to explore your curiosity and evaluate if your concerns raise to a level of an anxious disorder. 

What is a Common Anxiety Disorder? 

Well… it depends. The prevalence of anxiety disorders varies depending on age, sex, and cultural factors. So, let’s take separation anxiety disorder as an example. Separation anxiety disorder is more prevalent in children and about equally common in males and females. Compare that to general anxiety disorder, which is more common in adults and much more prevalent in females.  

What’s the Takeaway? 

Some people are born with a predisposition to be more anxious. Depending on your culture, your personality type, your temperament, and many other factors- you may be at higher risk for being more anxious. However, being anxious is not the same thing as having anxiety or an anxiety disorder. All of these factors are important to look at and examine in therapy. A therapist can help you understand your tendencies and characteristics, and help you determine what is a normal part of how you are designed as a person versus what might be an anxiety disorder. The great new is, either way, both can be treated and tend to have very great outcomes in therapy.  

If you or anyone you know may be ready to take the next step in self-improvement and better understanding or managing your anxious thoughts, help is not far away. 

You can always reach out to me at [email protected] or visit my website at www.thrive-wellnessandcounseling.com to schedule a free consultation.