When your mind is racing, your chest feels tight, and it seems like you’re trapped in a cycle of fear, sadness, or confusion—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Are you dealing with anxiety? Maybe it’s a panic attack? Or maybe it’s something else?
Mental health struggles don’t always come with clear labels. The symptoms can overlap, shift, or show up in unexpected ways. That’s why understanding what you’re feeling is the first step toward finding relief.
Is This Anxiety? A Quiz to Help You Understand What You’re Feeling
This quiz is designed to help you better understand your symptoms and determine whether what you’re experiencing could be an anxiety attack, panic attack, depression, or something else entirely.
For each question, choose the answer that best reflects your experience.
1. How do your symptoms typically begin?
A. Gradually—I feel a slow build-up of worry or stress.
B. Suddenly—like being hit by a wave out of nowhere.
C. It varies. Sometimes it’s slow, sometimes it hits fast.
D. I don’t feel sudden fear, but I feel constantly down or tired.
2. What are your physical symptoms during these episodes?
A. Racing heart, shallow breathing, and muscle tension.
B. Chest pain, dizziness, tingling, or feeling like I’m going to die.
C. Fatigue, aches, and difficulty getting out of bed.
D. It depends on the day.
3. How often do these episodes occur?
A. A few times a week.
B. Rarely, but when they happen, they’re intense.
C. Almost daily.
D. I feel bad most of the time, even when things seem fine.
4. What’s your emotional state during these experiences?
A. Overwhelmed and worried about what could go wrong.
B. Terrified, disconnected, and sure something bad is happening.
C. Numb or hopeless.
D. Anxious and sad.
5. Do you know what triggers these episodes?
A. Stress at work, social situations, or specific worries.
B. They seem to happen out of the blue.
C. I don’t need a trigger; I just always feel not quite like myself.
D. Past trauma or memories tend to set me off.
6. What’s your internal dialogue during these moments?
A. “What if something bad happens?”
B. “I’m going to die” or “I’m losing control.”
C. “What’s the point?” or “I’ll never feel better.”
D. “Why is this happening again?” or “I can’t escape this.”
7. How long does the episode last?
A. It builds and lingers for hours or even days.
B. It peaks in 10-15 minutes, then slowly subsides.
C. It never fully goes away—it’s always in the background.
D. It varies. Some days are intense, others just feel heavy.
8. How do you usually feel afterward?
A. Drained, but relieved.
B. Exhausted and confused about what just happened.
C. The same as before—still low and numb.
D. Relieved it’s over, but worried it will return.
What Your Responses Might Indicate
If You Picked Mostly A Responses
If most of your answers fell under the “A” category, your experience likely mirrors that of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). These episodes often build up gradually, fueled by ongoing stress, worries, or overwhelming responsibilities. They don’t always reach the intensity of a panic attack, but the symptoms of an anxiety disorder can be equally distressing. You might feel constantly “on edge”—exhausted by racing thoughts and tension that never seem to let up.
The good news is that you’re not alone and this condition is highly treatable. Through strategies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), stress management, medication (when appropriate), and lifestyle shifts like improved sleep and exercise, you can regain a sense of calm and confidence.
If You Picked Mostly B Responses
If you chose mostly “B” responses, your symptoms are consistent with panic attacks—intense episodes of fear that often strike without warning. They can feel physically overwhelming: chest pain, dizziness, trouble breathing, or a pounding heart might lead you to believe you’re in immediate danger or having a medical emergency. It’s terrifying—but it’s also important to know this truth: panic attacks, while deeply uncomfortable, are not physically harmful. They are a response to a misfiring of the body’s fight-or-flight system, often triggered by stress, trauma, or in some cases, nothing obvious at all.
Panic disorder is treatable, especially with the right therapeutic tools. CBT, exposure therapy, mindfulness techniques, and sometimes medication can dramatically reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks. Breathing techniques, grounding techniques, and learning to “ride the wave” of panic without judgment can restore a sense of control.
If You Picked Mostly C Responses
If most of your answers were “C,” you may be navigating the heavy emotional fog of clinical depression. Depression is often misunderstood as “just sadness,” but it’s far deeper and more pervasive. You may feel numb, exhausted, unmotivated, and detached from people or activities you once enjoyed. It might feel like you’re watching life happen from behind a thick glass wall—especially if you’re struggling with what is sometimes called high-functioning depression.
These aren’t character flaws or signs of laziness. Depression is a medical condition, not a personal failure. It can be caused by a combination of genetics, brain chemistry, trauma, and environmental stressors—and it requires compassionate, evidence-based care. Whether that’s through therapy, medication, structured daily habits, or building a strong support system, know that healing is possible.
If You Picked Mostly D Responses
If your results were a mix of symptoms across categories—especially “D”—you might be dealing with a co-occurring mental health condition, such as anxiety and depression combined, or a trauma-related response like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
This experience is more common than you might think, especially for people who’ve survived abuse, neglect, sudden loss, or other significant life disruptions. And while trauma can leave lasting impacts, it’s important to know that your brain and body are capable of healing.
An integrated approach—combining trauma-informed therapy (such as EMDR or somatic experiencing), peer support, and medication when needed—can help you reconnect with yourself and the world around you.
How We Can Help
No matter which category your answers fall into, one thing is clear: you do not have to navigate this alone. At Eagle View Behavioral Health, our team understands the complex reality of mental health challenges. Reach out today for a free, confidential assessment or to learn more about the programs available at our Bettendorf, Iowa treatment facility.
