How Mental Health Professionals Diagnose Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders (AD) are a common and often misunderstood mental health condition that affects millions of Australians. As a team who has helped people overcome the challenges of living with anxiety, we understand how overwhelming and debilitating it can feel. That’s why we know that with the right information and support, it is possible to manage anxiety and live a fulfilling life.

In this article, we’ll give you some insights on how licensed professionals at MeHelp Psychology diagnose anxiety disorders.  

By the end, we hope you will gain a deeper understanding of anxiety and feel empowered to seek the help and resources you need.

Let’s start by defining anxiety disorders.

Anxiety is a natural human emotion that we all experience from time to time. It's the body's way of responding to perceived threats or stressful situations. However, for some individuals, anxiety can become excessive, persistent, and debilitating. It becomes something that interferes with their daily life.

Us professionals define anxiety disorders as a condition wherein a person experiences anxiety frequently, or severely. For instance, while most people would have anxiety or fear when facing unknown or uncomfortable events, those with AD might feel anxiety throughout the day. 

Most common signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders 

Although there are different types of anxiety disorders [insert link to types of anxiety disorders], they have common signs and symptoms. When one or more of these are present, there’s a chance that a person is experiencing anxiety disorder. Here are some of the things we look out for: 

• Persistent worrying or rumination on negative events that might happen.
• Feelings of restlessness that’s hard to shake off.
• Constant irritability and being short-fused.
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or focusing on tasks. 
• Pain or tension in the muscles, particularly the shoulders & neck area.
• Unexplained fatigue even when not doing a lot of things. 
• Trouble falling and staying asleep. 
• Sudden digestive issues like constipation or loose bowel.
• Episodes of rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath.
• Panic attacks that happen out of the blue, or frequently. 

It's important to note that the severity and frequency of these symptoms can differ significantly. Some individuals may experience only a few, while others may struggle with a combination of several. So if you suspect that you or someone you know is experiencing anxiety disorders, it’s best to consult with a professional. 

Did you know that you can get consultation and counselling wherever you are through MeHelp Psychology’s telehealth services? 

How do professionals diagnose Anxiety Disorders?

Diagnosing anxiety can be a complex process. That’s because there’s no single test that can definitively identify the condition. Instead, healthcare professionals, like our team of licensed online psychologists, and primary care physicians, rely on different assessment tools to determine the presence and severity of an anxiety disorder.

Our Role in Diagnosing Anxiety

Healthcare professionals like our team here in MeHelp play an important role in the diagnosis of anxiety disorders. We are responsible for gathering a thorough psychological history and evaluating a person's symptoms and their impact on daily life.

During the assessment, we ask questions about an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. We also look into any physical symptoms they are experiencing. Aside from those, we also inquire about the duration, frequency, and severity of the symptoms. Then, we assess any potential triggers or stressors.

What are the diagnostic criteria for Anxiety Disorders?

To diagnose an anxiety disorder, we typically use the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This is the standard reference guide for mental health professionals. The DSM-5 provides specific diagnostic criteria for each type of anxiety disorder, which includes:

• Persistent Anxiety: Constant worry or fear lasting for weeks or more can indicate an anxiety disorder. This anxiety often feels uncontrollable and excessive.
• Impact on Daily Life: Anxiety that interferes with your ability to work, attend school, or maintain relationships is a significant indicator.
• Physical Symptoms: Anxiety can manifest through physical symptoms such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, muscle tension, sweating, dizziness, or stomach issues. These symptoms occur without a clear medical cause.
• Avoidance: Avoiding places, people, or activities because of anxiety is a common sign. This avoidance can severely limit your daily life and experiences.
• Difficulty Functioning: Struggling to complete everyday tasks, make decisions, or concentrate can be a sign of an anxiety disorder. This can affect all areas of your life.
• Frequent Panic Attacks: Experiencing recurrent, unexpected panic attacks—sudden periods of intense fear or discomfort, often accompanied by physical symptoms like heart palpitations, chest pain, or dizziness—is a clear signal.
• Unmanageable Stress: When stress becomes overwhelming and self-help strategies aren't enough to manage them. 
• Changes in Sleep/Appetite: Significant changes in sleep patterns or appetite—whether sleeping too much or too little, eating more or less than usual—can be related to anxiety.
• Substance Use: Using alcohol, drugs, or other substances to cope with anxiety is a serious sign. 
• Emotional Distress: Feelings of hopelessness, extreme irritability, or other emotional distress impacting your well-being are important signs to seek support.

By carefully evaluating someone's symptoms and its impact on their life, we can determine the appropriate diagnosis and develop a tailored treatment plan.

What tools and assessments are used in diagnosing Anxiety Disorders? 

In addition to the clinical interview, we tend to use various tools and assessments to aid in the diagnosis of anxiety disorders. These may include:

1. Standardised Questionnaires and Scales: We use frameworks such as the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) or the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) to help quantify the severity of someone’s anxiety symptoms.
2. Psychological Evaluations: We also use comprehensive psychological assessments, including tests of cognitive function, personality, and emotional well-being. This can provide valuable insights into the underlying causes and manifestations of anxiety.
3. Physical Examinations: We might also recommend people to undergo a thorough physical examination, including laboratory tests. This can help rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to or causing the anxiety symptoms.

Why the need for a lot of tests and diagnostics? 

Diagnosing anxiety disorders requires a comprehensive assessment that considers your unique circumstances, medical history, and overall well-being. That’s why we take the time to carefully evaluate your symptoms, rule out other potential causes, and determine the appropriate diagnosis.

This thorough approach is important in ensuring an accurate diagnosis and developing an effective treatment plan for you (or your loved ones). Misdiagnosis or incomplete assessment can lead to inappropriate or ineffective treatment, which can prolong a one’s suffering and delay their recovery.

How we differentiate anxiety disorders from other mental health conditions

Anxiety can sometimes be mistaken for other mental health conditions, such as depression, bipolar disorder, or ADHD. Moreover, they sometimes happen together with these conditions. That’s why it's important for us to carefully distinguish between these conditions, as the appropriate treatment may vary significantly. This is also why no one should self-diagnose by taking tests on the internet.

For example, while anxiety and depression often share some symptoms, such as worry, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, the underlying causes and treatment approaches may differ. Similarly, the hyperactivity and restlessness associated with ADHD can sometimes be confused with the physical symptoms of anxiety.

So by conducting a thorough assessment and considering your complete clinical picture, we can ensure an accurate diagnosis and tailor the treatment plan accordingly.

Seeking help for anxiety disorders

If you are struggling with anxiety, the first step is to seek help from a healthcare professional. This may be your primary care physician, who can provide an initial assessment and refer you to a mental health specialist, such as our team in MeHelp, for a more comprehensive evaluation.

When seeking help, it's important to be open and honest about your symptoms, your medical history, and any other factors that may be contributing to your anxiety. The more information you can provide, the better equipped your healthcare team will be to develop an effective treatment plan.

Takeaway

Anxiety disorders are complex conditions. But with the right information, support, and treatment, it is possible to manage it and live a calmer life. That’s why we hope this article was able to give you some insight on what you or your loved one might go through when seeking help. 

If you or a loved one are experiencing anxiety, we encourage you to take the first step and reach out for help. Remember, you are not alone, and there are resources and support available to guide you on your journey to better mental health. Don't hesitate to contact our team at MeHelp Psychology, or any healthcare professionals in your area to learn more about your options for diagnosis and treatment. Together, we can work towards a future where anxiety no longer holds us back from living our best lives.

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