It is easy to take the Beck anxiety inventory test to evaluate one’s level of anxiety symptoms. The inventory only requires that the person be aware of their feelings within the last one week in order to check whether the symptoms of anxiety are low, moderate or very high.
On the inventory, the questions have four possible answers:
* Not at all
*Mildly (“but it doesn’t affect me much”)
* Moderately (“it is unpleasant at times”), and
*Severely (“it bothered me greatly”).
These answers are ascribed by the respondent according to the specific symptoms described in the inventory questions, such as muscle tension and tingling sensations, feelings of dread, hot or cold sweats, and so on.
Every answer comes with a corresponding rating. The total sum of the ratings is then used to measure the respondent’s anxiety level. The highest possible score is 36. A score that is in the range of 0 to 7 reflects very low anxiety levels. Any score that is higher than 26 indicates a very high level and serious case of anxiety.
Listed questions in the inventory
The following includes the list of symptoms of anxiety asked in the Beck inventory. Review them individually and choose one of the answers, 1 being “Not at all”, 2 “Mildly”, 3 “Moderately” and 4 “Severely”.
1. Feeling hot
2. Muscle numbness or tingling
3. Feeling unable to relax
4. Dizzy or light headed
5. Feeling wobbly in the legs
6. Feeling unsteady
7. Heart racing or pounding
8. Nervousness
9. Choking feeling
10. Trembling hands
11. Unsteadiness
12. Terror or fear
13. Afraid of losing control
14. Indigestion
15. Flushed face
16. Hot or cold sweats
17. Feeling scared
18. Having laborious breathing
19. Feeling the fear of dying
20. Feeling like the worst is happening
21. Feeling faint
Once you have rated your symptoms, add up all the scores.
Interpretation of scores
A score that is in the range of 0 to 7 reflects a low anxiety level, which can be a positive thing. However, it may also suggest that one is living in denial or has an unrealistic view of his life. A low score may also reflect the possibility that one is detached from the world, himself and his loved ones.
A moderate score (8-21) usually indicates that your body is trying to send you some signals. There may be specific situations that may cause the symptoms of anxiety to arise, such as public speaking, making presentations, during examinations in school or even getting intimate with someone else. You should find methods of calming yourself before the strenuous activity in order to perform it well.
Any score above 22 is an indicator of very high anxiety levels, and is a cause for concern. This is by no means a sign of failure or personal weakness. It is something that requires proactive measures of prevention before the anxiety becomes even more severe and affects your body and mind any further. Medication and counselling are good measures to take when anxiety levels are high.
Taking the Beck anxiety inventory test is easy and provides relatively accurate results about stress and anxiety levels. The inventory can be retaken at different periods of time to view one’s progress with dealing with their anxiety issues.
to find out how you can overcome your anxiety and panic attacks for good, starting today. Although you may not realise, is just down the road and waiting for you to embrace it.
