Diagnostic

The diagnostic of an anxiety disorder, and which type or types of anxiety disorder/s you might have, can be tricky.

Hence your healthcare provider will conduct a thorough conversation to gather essential information about your medical and psychiatric history.

Possible Questions from Your Provider

– What are your symptoms and how are they impacting your life?
– What do you worry about?
– Are you able to control your thoughts and worries?
– How long have you been worried? How long have you been having these fears?
– Does anyone in your family have a history of anxiety disorders?
– Have you used substances like alcohol or other drugs?
– Have you experienced any health issues
– Are you currently taking any medication?
– What are your stressors, past traumas, and relationships like with family and friends?
– Have you ever experienced thoughts of hurting yourself or suicide?
– What strengths, resources, and support networks do you and your family have to support your treatment?

All this information and symptom context helps your provider determine the kind of anxiety disorder or disorders you have and how severe they are.

Some of the questions your provider will ask might also be part of a standardized diagnostic test for anxiety. Depending on your age, they might use different tests because children and teenagers grow and express themselves differently. Therefore, the tests need to fit your stage of life.

Standardized Tests For Diagnosing Anxiety Disorders

– Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED; 8 years and older)
– Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS; 6-7 years)
– Parent-repo rted Preschool Anxiety Scale (PAS; 30 months to 6.5 years)

It’s important to understand that symptoms can vary depending on your age. That’s why your provider needs to ask a lot of questions and not just rely on standardized tests described above, which might not consider your unique developmental and personal background and details.

Your provider will also look for other medical conditions causing anxiety-like symptoms. These may include heart, lung, stomach, or nervous system issues. This could involve blood tests or imaging to rule out other health problems.

Based on the diagnostic criteria outlined in the DSM-5 for anxiety disorders, your provider will then assess the type and severity of your anxiety. Keep in mind that all these diagnostic questions and tools help your provider figure out the best way to help you, to make sure you get the right care.