Anxiety Test For Teens: Deciding Whether To Pursue Treatment For An Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorders are serious mental health conditions that can impact various facets of teenagers’ lives. Because of the common challenges adolescents face, it can be hard to tell whether teens are experiencing normal levels of nervousness and worry or symptoms of an anxiety disorder. An anxiety test can help caregivers and teens evaluate the severity and frequency of symptoms and determine whether they need to pursue mental health treatment. In this article, we’re providing an overview of anxiety, discussing the role of anxiety tests for adolescents, and helping you find assessment tools to utilize with your teen.
An overview of anxiety
Feelings of fear and nervousness are common in our fast-paced world. We often worry about career obligations, health concerns, relationships, finances, and other aspects of our lives. While occasional anxiety can be normal, elevated and persistent fear may signal the presence of a mental health condition.
The symptoms of an anxiety disorder can impact not only an individual’s health, but also their professional, family, and social lives. Additionally, anxiety disorders are frequently comorbid with other mental health conditions. Depressive disorders, substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) all commonly co-occur with anxiety.
Symptoms of anxiety
In addition to the emotional symptoms of anxiety, there are several physical and cognitive symptoms that can affect an individual’s well-being. The following are common anxiety symptoms:
- Heightened levels of worry and fear
- Muscle tension
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Increased heart rate
- Trouble focusing
- Sleep disruptions
- Rapid breathing
- Sweating
Generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and related conditions
While all anxiety disorders are characterized by nervousness, physical tension, and fear, their symptoms also diverge in important ways. The following are descriptions of common types of anxiety disorders:
- Generalized anxiety disorder: A condition in which heightened and persistent worry and nervousness occur in a variety of scenarios
- Social anxiety disorder: Also called social phobia; marked by an extreme fear of judgment or embarrassment in social situations
- Panic disorder: A condition characterized by frequent panic attacks—sudden bouts of intense emotional distress and physical anxiety
- Specific phobia: Irrational fear of an experience, place, or thing that is not likely to cause harm
- Agoraphobia: A disorder marked by an aversion to places or situations from which it may be hard to escape
- Separation anxiety disorder: A condition characterized by excessive nervousness and worry when one is parted with an attachment figure
If you believe you (or your teen) may be living with an anxiety disorder, consider consulting with a healthcare professional. A medical or mental health professional can provide you with screenings and determine whether further testing, diagnosis, and treatment are necessary.
How anxiety can affect teenagers
Teenagers experience a variety of challenges as they make the transition to adulthood. Adolescents are typically given more responsibility and independence as they get older. They may start jobs, begin managing their finances, take ownership of a car, and have more control over their schoolwork.
As they approach adult life, teens often experience pressure to begin thinking about a career path. Uncertainty about the future can lead to emotional distress—and, in some cases, it can lead adolescents to make choices about their lives that don’t align with their goals or values. Teenagers may also be subject to social pressure surrounding substance use, sexual relations, and other activities.
Additionally, many adolescents are either experiencing puberty or just completing the process. Teenagers’ bodies can undergo significant alterations during this time, including a changing voice, an influx of hormones, and the development of secondary sex characteristics. All of these challenges can contribute to—and be further complicated by—anxiety.
Research suggests that approximately one in four teens are impacted by anxiety disorders. Anxiety can lead teens to struggle to complete schoolwork, withdraw from social settings, develop physical health challenges, and experience potential psychological comorbidities. Further, when an anxiety disorder is undiagnosed, it can prevent teens from setting and pursuing goals, potentially affecting their ability to flourish later in life.
Despite these challenges, anxiety can be managed, particularly when it is identified in a timely manner. With the right support and guidance, teens can manage feelings of fear and live healthy, productive lives.
What are anxiety tests?
Various assessment tools are commonly utilized to determine the presence of anxiety symptoms. Common screening tests for anxiety include the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and the Anxiety Symptoms Questionnaire (ASQ). Most screeners follow a similar format, providing examples of common anxiety symptoms and asking the test-taker to rate the frequency or severity with which they encounter each symptom.
Anxiety test example: The GAD-7
The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) is a seven-item questionnaire based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) guidelines for the condition. (The primary symptoms for GAD changed little between the DSM-IV and the DSM-5.) The GAD-7 asks the test-taker to choose the answer that best describes the frequency with which they’ve experienced seven symptoms over the previous two weeks, with the options being 0 (not at all), 1 (several days), 2 (more than half the days), and 3 (nearly every day). Scores of zero to four indicate minimal anxiety, five to nine mild anxiety, 10 to 14 moderate anxiety, and 15 or more severe anxiety.
Disorder- and age-specific anxiety screeners
There are also tests that evaluate symptoms of specific anxiety disorders, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-Panic Disorder (PHQ-PD) or the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Further, teens can find versions of assessment tools geared toward young people. For example, the American Psychiatric Association offers versions of their Severity Measure scales for both children (ages 10 to 17) and adults (ages 18 and above).
Where to find an anxiety test for teens
If you’re seeking clarity on symptoms of anxiety, experts typically recommend that you consult with mental health professionals who can provide an accurate diagnosis. Anxiety tests that you take at home are not official diagnostic tools. However, if you’re interested in learning more about the likelihood that your teen has anxiety, several tests and other resources can help you assess the potential severity and frequency of symptoms. The results of these at-home tests may indicate whether seeking professional help is recommended.
Asking your provider for mental health tools
You can start by asking your teen’s primary care provider whether they can connect you with screenings for anxiety. They may have literature that you can take home or printouts of common evaluations for you to complete. You might also be able to find various assessments at local community centers or mental health clinics.
Taking an online anxiety test for teens
Several websites provide anxiety tests in varied forms. Mental Health America offers an online test based on the GAD-7. The assessment is automatically scored so that teens can immediately see the potential severity of their symptoms. It’s important to reiterate, however, that the results you receive from an online test are not meant to diagnose anxiety disorders.
For teens who want to assess the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, there are disorder-specific screeners. For example, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America has an online screening for panic disorder that asks yes/no questions about whether test takers have felt panicked, felt dizzy, or experienced other symptoms.
Pursuing mental health treatment for anxiety
If you’re concerned about the results of an anxiety test, consider bringing them to a mental health provider. A professional can interpret them and talk to you about what they mean for your teen. They will likely conduct screenings and other assessments of their own prior to providing a diagnosis, if applicable.
Anxiety treatment typically involves psychotherapy and, in some cases, prescription medication. A therapist can help your teen identify their anxiety symptoms, evaluate their severity, and develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage them.
A common form of psychotherapy for anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps individuals identify and reframe negative thought patterns that may be underlying feelings of fear and worry. For example, a teenager may describe situations in which they felt nervous and had trouble relaxing because they overestimated the likelihood of worst-case scenarios occurring. By addressing this cognitive distortion, they can participate in similar situations without constantly worrying about negative outcomes.
How online therapy can help
If you’d like help addressing the symptoms of anxiety, consider connecting with an online therapist. Online therapy can be a convenient and effective form of mental health care for both adults and teenagers.
The benefits of mental health treatment through online therapy
With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp (for adults) or TeenCounseling (for teens), you or your teen can work with a therapist to evaluate potential anxiety symptoms remotely, through video call, voice call, or online chat. You can also message your therapist anytime and they will generally respond when they are able, allowing you to check in regarding the progression of your symptoms between sessions.
The efficacy of online therapy for generalized anxiety disorder
The results of numerous studies show that online therapy can effectively treat the symptoms of common anxiety disorders. In a systematic review and meta-analysis that included 11 total studies, researchers concluded that online interventions “demonstrate significant post-treatment gains on a number of measures for internet-delivered interventions for generalized anxiety disorder.” The study also mentioned the ability of online therapy to bridge the treatment gap in mental health through cost-efficiency, convenience, and reduction of stigma.
Takeaway
Anxiety disorders can place a significant burden on teenagers, particularly when they go undiagnosed. Tools that help caregivers evaluate the severity and frequency of potential anxiety symptoms can help them make the best decisions for a teen’s health. If you’re a parent or teen seeking support for anxiety, online therapy can help. With the right approach to care, you can manage anxiety symptoms and continue navigating your wellness journey.
What are signs of anxiety in a 14-year-old?
A few symptoms of anxiety disorders in teenagers include the following:
- Agitation or a sense of being restless
- Self-consciousness and sensitivity to criticism
- Trembling hands
- Being easily annoyed and irritable
- Shortness of breath and a racing heart
- Worrying about the past, present, and future
- Being easily overwhelmed
Those who have experienced shortness of breath and other physical manifestations of anxiety may be concerned about their physical health, but anxiety frequently involves both mental and physical symptoms. While these symptoms may feel awful to those who experience them, it can be important to note that there is nothing physically wrong in most cases. However, it can still be helpful to see a doctor to rule out any underlying conditions.
What is the best anxiety assessment tool for adolescents?
There are multiple ways of assessing generalized anxiety disorder in adolescents. The most common may be the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7. If you’re concerned that your adolescent may have an anxiety disorder, you might talk to their physician about undergoing an assessment.
What is the 3-3-3 rule for anxiety in children?
The 3-3-3 rule is a mindfulness technique that’s simple enough for most children to use following problems with anxiety. It involves the child naming three things they can see and three sounds they can hear, and then moving three parts of their body.
What is the strongest natural anti-anxiety strategy?
One of the most effective strategies to manage anxiety may be regular exercise. Other strategies involve eating nutritious foods, spending time outdoors, prioritizing quality time with loved ones, and engaging in hobbies. Practicing radical acceptance can also be beneficial.
Are anxiety and ADHD linked?
Anxiety disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often co-occur. However, they can both occur independently as well. People with ADHD may struggle to sit still or focus and encounter difficulties in school or with employers. These difficulties often contribute to the development of anxiety disorders.
What is the age range for anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal human emotion that people can experience at all ages. Anxiety disorders can also arise at any age.
What is the psychological test for anxiety?
There are multiple psychological tests for anxiety. A few of the most common include the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Pfizer Inc. offers free access to anxiety screening tools, which can be helpful for individuals who want to determine whether their level of anxiety symptoms warrants professional help.
What is the most used anxiety questionnaire?
The most used anxiety questionnaire is likely the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7. This brief measure asks seven questions, including how often a person feels nervous, anxious, or on edge and has trouble relaxing. Kurt Kroenke, a prominent researcher, found the GAD-7 scale to be an effective screening tool for anxiety disorders.
Which parenting styles cause anxiety?
Some research suggests that overprotective, authoritarian, and neglectful parenting styles can lead to anxiety in children, especially if parents employ harsh or inconsistent control. However, this doesn’t mean that every child who grows up with parents who use these parenting styles will develop an anxiety disorder.
What is the best therapy for anxiety?
Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most used treatment options for anxiety. Exposure therapy can also be helpful, particularly for specific phobias.
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