The symptoms of anxiety disorders may sometimes be ignored, as they often develop gradually over time. Given that we all experience some anxiety, it can sometimes be hard to know how much is too much.
Below are some simple checklists for common types of anxiety disorders. They are quick and easy and are designed to help you reflect on your situation or that of someone close to you. They will not provide a diagnosis - for that you need to see a doctor. However, they will tell you if you have symptoms in common with people who have an anxiety disorder.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Some people who have symptoms of anxiety disorder can also experience symptoms of other disorders too. For more information on other mental health problems see beyondblue depression checklists, signs and symptoms of postnatal depression and signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder.
If the symptoms of anxiety are left untreated, they can start to take over the person's life. Not only can it affect the person with the disorder, but it can also start to affect relationships with family and friends. For example, untreated anxiety disorders can lead to:
- marriage problems
- family problems
- financial problems
- difficulty finding and holding down a job
- drug and alcohol abuse
- a person losing their temper too easily
- suicide.
To read about the personal experiences of people with anxiety disorders and their families' and friends' experiences visit the personal experiences section of this website.
To read about research on the impact of anxiety disorders on family and friends click here .