Do I Have Anxiety?
Anxiety shows up differently for everyone. For some, it's a constant hum of worry in the background. For others, it's more physical, a tight chest, a racing heart, trouble sleeping, without always knowing why. If you've been wondering whether what you're feeling counts as anxiety, this is a gentle place to start.
Why this is hard to sit with
It's common to downplay anxiety, especially when life looks fine on the surface. You might tell yourself you're just "a worrier," or that everyone feels this way sometimes. To some extent that's true, but when worry starts affecting your sleep, your body, or the things you want to do, it's worth paying closer attention to.
Common signs of anxiety
A mind that won't switch off
Worry that loops, even when you try to relax or distract yourself.
Physical tension
A tight chest, clenched jaw, racing heart, or a stomach that's constantly unsettled.
Avoiding certain situations
Steering clear of things, not because you don't want to do them, but because of how you're worried you'll feel.
Disrupted sleep
Racing thoughts that make it hard to fall or stay asleep.
Irritability without a clear cause
Feeling on edge or short-tempered, even when nothing specific has triggered it.
Do I Have Anxiety? Our Quiz
Trudy Jacobsen
Trudy Jacobsen is a highly experienced counsellor with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and couples with her warm, grounded and outcome-driven approach. She is available for new clients for in-person appointments in Booval, Brisbane as well as online video appointments.
https://lifesupportscounselling.com.au/counsellors/trudy-jacobsen/
- Master of Social Work
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
- Member of the AASW
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Check out these free guides and tips from the Life Supports team of experts.
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Open 8am to 8pm weekdays and 9am to 5:30pm weekends
Not Sure What Your Results Mean?
Wherever you landed, this quiz can't diagnose anxiety, only a GP, psychologist or psychiatrist can do that. But it can be a useful prompt to check in with yourself, whether things feel manageable right now or genuinely overwhelming.
How Anxiety Counselling Can Help
A counsellor can help you understand what's driving your anxiety, whether that's a specific stressor, a longer-standing pattern, or something harder to pin down, and build practical tools to manage it day to day. This might include learning to recognise your triggers earlier, developing strategies to calm your body when it's in overdrive, or simply having a space to unpack what's been weighing on you. Life Supports can match you with a counsellor who's a genuine fit for what you're going through, not just the nearest available option.
If you’re interested in learning more about anxiety counselling or would like to organise a session, call 1300 735 030 or leave us an email via our contact page.
FAQs
They're related but not identical. Stress is usually a response to a specific pressure, like a deadline or a big life event, and tends to ease once that pressure lifts. Anxiety can linger even without an obvious cause, and often shows up as ongoing worry or physical tension that doesn't fully switch off.
If worry or physical symptoms are affecting your sleep, relationships, work, or the things you'd normally enjoy doing, that's a good sign it's worth talking to someone. You don't need to wait until it feels unmanageable. Getting support earlier often makes it easier to work through.
Yes, very commonly. Things like a racing heart, tight chest, nausea, shakiness, or muscle tension are all common physical signs of anxiety. It's not "just in your head", anxiety genuinely affects the body, which is why physical symptoms are often the first thing people notice.
Your first session is a chance to get to know your therapist and for your therapist to get to know you, and understand what has brought you to counselling. Your therapist will ask how you’ve been feeling, what has been going on for you recently, as well as your therapy goals. This initial session will help the therapist understand your situation a little more clearly, so they can plan a path forward. We know the initial session can feel daunting, but our therapists make clients feel as comfortable as possible and will always move at the pace you feel comfortable with.