Anxiety Self-Assessment
At The Living Room’s outpatient mental health center in New Jersey, we treat anxiety disorders and other conditions. Untreated, unmanaged anxiety can feel heavy, like a constant companion or looming threat. It can seem inescapable, but effective anxiety treatment can make all the difference.
This anxiety self-test is an invitation to gentle self-awareness, not a diagnosis.
It’s a starting point to help you recognize patterns and consider whether treatment for anxiety could bring more ease, presence, and freedom to your life.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal response to stress. But when it becomes persistent or overwhelming, it stops being a useful signal and starts becoming a weight.
Most people recognize anxiety by its mental and emotional signs: the looping worry, the restlessness, the sense of dread that lingers long after a stressful moment has passed. But anxiety is also physical, and its body-based symptoms are easy to misread.
Physical symptoms of anxiety can include:
- Persistent muscle tension
- Unexplained headaches
- Tight jaw
- Sleep that never feels restful
- Heart racing for no apparent reason
Many people carry these symptoms for years without labeling them for what they are.
Anxiety also doesn’t travel alone. It frequently shows up with depression, chronic stress, or substance use. Some people drink to quiet their racing thoughts at night. Others use cannabis to take the edge off, or have a drink before socializing.
These patterns are more common than people realize, and they are not a moral failure. They’re a sign of something deeper that deserves attention. This is why dual diagnosis treatment addresses both at the same time.
Take the Anxiety Self-Assessment
Over the last two weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following? Choose the option that best fits your description.
Pick one response for each: Not at all / Several days / More than half the days / Nearly every day
- Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge
- Not being able to stop or control your worry
- Worrying too much about different things
- Trouble relaxing
- Being so restless that it’s hard to sit still
- Becoming easily annoyed or irritable
- Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen
This is for reflection purposes only. A full picture emerges through honest conversation with a qualified professional.
Scoring Your Responses
Scoring:
Not at all = 0
Several days = 1
More than half the days = 2
Nearly every day = 3
Total Score:____ (Maximum: 21)
- 0 to 4: Minimal anxiety. These feelings may come and go as a normal part of life.
- 5 to 9: Mild anxiety. Worry may be affecting your days. Gentle support can make a real difference.
- 10 to 14: Moderate anxiety. These experiences are likely impacting your well-being. Reaching out for support can help restore balance.
- 15 to 21: Severe anxiety. Structured care can offer significant relief. You deserve tools and support to navigate this with compassion.
When It May Be Time to Seek Formal Help for Anxiety
A self-assessment is a good first step. But some experiences call for more than reflection. If your anxiety has lasted several weeks or longer, it may be time to reach out.
If it’s getting in the way of work, relationships, or daily tasks, that is worth paying attention to. If you find yourself relying on alcohol or other substances to get through the day, that’s a sign professional support could help. You don’t need to be in crisis to ask for help. Reaching out early often makes the path forward easier.
Next Steps: Exploring Mindful Treatment for Anxiety
The Living Room at Princeton is here to help. Whether anxiety shows up on its own or alongside substance use, depression, or other challenges, our programs are built for exactly that.
At The Living Room, we see anxiety not as something to fight, but as an invitation to deeper understanding. Our outpatient programs for adults and teens (PHP and IOP) provide space to explore these patterns safely including when anxiety and substance use show up together.
Ready to take a compassionate step? Contact The Living Room at Princeton. Our team is here to listen, without judgment.
Sources:
- National Library of Medicine — A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7
- National Institute of Mental Health — Anxiety Disorders
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Mental Health Conditions We Treat
Clinical Depression
Depression is a complex mental health diagnosis with a wide variety of potential causes. No two people experience depression the same way. This is why treatment at The Living Room begins with a detailed assessment that will be used to custom-tailor your treatment plan. Most depression is manageable. With the right support, people with depression can often thrive and reclaim long-lost satisfaction in their lives.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
The symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) often aren’t as acute as other anxiety disorders, like panic attacks. Because of this, GAD is a condition that may go undiagnosed for years. People with anxiety frequently develop coping mechanisms. However, without anxiety treatment, GAD can unnecessarily compromise your quality of life. We offer practical, evidence-based anxiety treatment that helps people recapture joy and find peace again.
Bipolar Disorder I
Bipolar Disorder I is the more familiar type of what used to be called ‘manic depression’. Bipolar I is characterized by periods of mania (heightened mood and energy) and depressive episodes. Maintaining balance is essential to successfully managing this condition and avoiding episodes that lead to hospitalization. We treat Bipolar Disorder I with careful assessment, mental health therapy, and medication management.
Bipolar Disorder II
Bipolar Disorder II is another mental health condition that may be overlooked because it can be challenging to diagnose. While manic episodes are much less common, and both manic and depressive episodes are less severe, Bipolar Disorder II can still be quite disruptive. We treat Bipolar Disorder II with thorough evaluation, mental health counseling, and medication, where appropriate.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is the result of one or more traumatic experiences. Living with untreated PTSD can be extremely difficult. When a person’s mind struggles to process trauma, it can manifest as anxiety, stress, flashbacks, and nightmares. Untreated, it may lead to addiction as sufferers self-medicate. Fortunately, PTSD can be successfully treated using a range of practical, evidence-based approaches, including EMDR therapy.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is a deeply human experience that often arises from the mind’s attempt to find safety and certainty in an uncertain world. Individuals living with OCD may be visited by persistent, intrusive thoughts or fixations that feel distressing or unwanted. In response, they may engage in repetitive actions or rituals — such as counting or checking — as a way to soothe the inner turmoil these thoughts create.
At The Living Room at Princeton, we hold space for each person’s unique healing journey. We offer compassionate guidance through a blend of evidence-based practices like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and supportive approaches, such as medication management, when needed. Our intention is to help individuals reconnect with inner peace, develop trust in themselves, and find freedom from the cycles that once felt overwhelming.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Borderline Personality Disorder is often a reflection of deep emotional sensitivity and a longing for connection, safety, and belonging. Those who live with BPD may experience intense emotional waves, shifting self-identity, fears of abandonment, and challenges in relationships. These experiences can feel overwhelming, but they are also expressions of a tender heart seeking to be seen, loved, and understood.
At The Living Room at Princeton, we approach healing with reverence for each individual’s inner wisdom and resilience. We offer Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) individual therapy, and skills training grounded in mindfulness and compassionate awareness. When needed, we also incorporate supportive medications. Our intention is to help individuals learn to anchor themselves in emotional balance, deepen their self-compassion, and build loving, stable relationships — both with others and within themselves.
Panic Disorder
A person with Panic Disorder experiences recurring, unexpected panic attacks—sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort—accompanied by physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, or dizziness, often causing persistent worry about future attacks. They may become isolated or afraid to leave their homes. We treat Panic Disorder using CBT and panic-focused psychotherapy. Medication management can also be an effective part of treatment.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Depression is a mood disorder a mother can experience after childbirth. The symptoms may include intense sadness, fatigue, anxiety, and difficulty bonding with their newborn infant. Mental health treatment for postpartum depression at The Living Room generally includes individual therapy, CBT, lifestyle changes, and support groups. Medications, such as SSRIs, can also be a helpful tool for managing postpartum depression.
Bridging Treatment and Coverage: Navigate Insurance with Ease
At The Living Room, we recognize that the path to recovery is both a personal and financial journey. We’re deeply committed to guiding you through the process of securing the right coverage for your treatment needs. Our goal is to ensure that financial considerations don’t stand in the way of your well-being. Let us assist you with information, clarity and trusted referrals to make your insurance journey as seamless as your road to recovery.


