Who Is This Quiz For?
Answer the quiz questions below to see if you or a loved one may be suffering from too much stress.
The questions below relate to life experiences common among people who are enduring a significant amounts of stress. Please read each question carefully, and indicate how often you have experienced the same or similar challenges in the past few months.
How Accurate Is It?
This quiz is NOT a diagnostic tool. Mental health disorders can only be diagnosed by qualified mental health professionals. If you’d like to learn more about the impact of stress, read “Under too Much Stress? Here’s What You Can Do About It”
What Is Stress?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, stress is a normal, human reaction. It’s how the brain and body respond to any demand.
It’s normal to have a high level of stress at one point or the other in our lives due to many life-changing scenarios and stressors. To prevent any health problems, it’s best to see a medical professional for treatment. The constant flow of stress hormones (including the so-called stress hormone cortisol) can take a toll on your body, causing it to age more quickly and making it prone to illnesses.
Some of the most common causes of acute or chronic stress are due to one or more of the following life stressors:
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- The death of a loved one
- Divorce
- Job loss
- An increase in financial obligations or a decrease in earnings
- Having to uproot your life and moving due to extenuating circumstances and out of your control
- Chronic illness or injury
- Taking care of an elderly or sick family member
- A traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, theft, rape, or violence against you or a loved one
Psycom believes assessments can be a valuable first step toward getting treatment. All too often people stop short of seeking help out of fear their concerns aren’t legitimate or severe enough to warrant professional intervention.
Your privacy is important to us. All results are completely anonymous.
If you think you or someone you care about may be suffering from stress, anxiety, or any other medical health condition, PsyCom.net strongly recommends that you seek help from a mental health professional in order to receive a proper diagnosis and support. For those in crisis, we have compiled a list of resources (some even offer free or low-cost support) where you may be able to find additional help at: https://www.psycom.net/get-help-mental-health.
Stress FAQs
How can your doctor test your stress level?
There is no standardized test to formally diagnose stress because stress is subjective—what feels very stressful for one person may not cause high levels of stress for another. Only the person experiencing stress can determine how severe it feels. A healthcare provider may use questionnaires to understand your stress and how it affects your life.
What diagnosis does stress go under?
Stress is not a psychiatric diagnosis, but it is closely linked to your mental health. Stress can cause physical and mental health problems and exacerbate existing problems. For example, if you often struggle to manage feelings of stress, you might develop anxiety or depression.
What causes high stress levels?
Anything that puts high demands or pressure on you can result in high stress levels, especially if you struggle to manage feelings of stress. Some common stressors that can lead to high levels of stress include high-pressure jobs, financial difficulties, taking on too much, conflicts at work or home, and failure to take time to relax.
What are the physical symptoms of stress?
Physical symptoms associated with stress can include headaches, high-blood pressure, aches and pains, racing heart, chest pain, muscle tension, jaw clenching, digestive issues, and more. The physical symptoms of stress are plentiful and may vary from person to person.
How can we avoid stress?
Experiencing stress from time to time is normal, but it is important to prevent stress build up that leads to high levels of stress and possibly burnout. Some simple ways to avoid stress include finding effective ways to balance all your responsibilities, getting enough sleep, not taking on too much, eating a healthy diet, and taking part in physical activity.
What is acute stress disorder?
Acute stress disorder (ASD) is a type of anxiety disorder that may occur within one month after experiencing a traumatic event. ASD can last anywhere between 3 days and 1 month. It differs from posttraumatic-stress disorder (PTSD, but causes symptoms also seen in people with PTSD, such as dissociative symptoms, reexperiencing the traumatic events, and avoidance.
Does acute stress disorder go away?
Acute stress disorder (ASD) is a short-term condition and symptoms usually go away over time. Consult with your doctor about the most effective form of treatment for ASD. Treatment may include a psychiatric evaluation, therapy, and medications. Many people with ASD are later diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
When should I talk to a doctor about stress?
Talk to your doctor about stress if you are feeling overwhelmed, are reliant on drugs or alcohol to cope with the feelings of stress, have thoughts of hurting yourself, or are experiencing other related conditions, like anxiety or depression. Your doctor can provide advice for better managing your stress, prescribe medication, or refer you to a mental health professional for further diagnosis and treatment.
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