A test of nerves- Beck anxiety inventory

Anxiety may be defined as an uneasiness that is caused as a result of a fear of misfortune or of danger. Anxiety within permissible limits is normal and understandable. However, when the level of anxiety is high, then help is required to calm those individuals.

How does one estimate the level of anxiety of an individual? There are many different questionnaires and self test inventories that are available for the cause. However, the Beck anxiety scale is one of the most popular inventories that are used to determine the level of one's anxiety and to differentiate between depression and anxiety.

The Beck anxiety scale was designed by Aaron T.Beck and it consists of 21 multiple choice questions. The questionnaire is based on how the individual feels about the week that went past. The four answers that are available for each question are the same and they help to assess the degree of anxiety.

The anxiety scale of Aaron Beck uses terms that are commonly used to express anxiety like feelings of dread, numbness etc in the 21 questions that are made available to the individual under study.

How to administer and score the Beck anxiety inventory

The beck anxiety inventory is administered routinely in many clinics and hospitals that deal with patients who are suspected to have an anxiety disorder. This inventory is generally handed out to first time patients to help the doctors' asses whether the patient is suffering from depression or anxiety. The level of anxiety can also be determined using this scale.

This inventory can be used for anyone within the age group of 17 years to 80 years and the questions are available in English and Spanish.

The test is a self test inventory indicating that the patient can take up the test independently, without the psychiatrists help. The test is easy to administer and can be completed within a few minutes.

Material required:

1. The beck anxiety inventory
2. Pen

Step 1:

Take the patient to a calm room that is soothing and does not add additional stress on to the patient. Busy waiting rooms can agitate many patients and result in faulty levels of scoring. In order to avoid this, the patient should be given this inventory in a comfortable room devoid of any reasons for agitation.

Step 2:

The patient should be asked if he/she are comfortable reading the questions. Some patients who are unable to read will prefer it if the questions are read out to them. The free Beck anxiety inventory include the following questions

1. Feeling hot
2. Muscle numbness or tingling
3. Feeling unable to relax
4. Dizzy or light headed
5. Feeling wobbly in the legs
6. Feeling unsteady
7. Heart racing or pounding
8. Nervousness
9. Chocking feeling
10. Trembling hands
11. Unsteadiness
12. Terror or fear
13. Afraid of losing control
14. Indigestion
15. Flushed face
16. Hot or cold sweats
17. Feeling scared
18. Having laborious breathing
19. Feeling the fear of dying
20. Feeling like the worst is happening
21. Feeling faint

The four possible answers that the patient is allowed to choose from for each question are 1) Not at all 2) Mildly 3) Moderately 4) Severely

Step 3:

Once the patient returns the inventory, it should be checked thoroughly to determine if the patient has answered all the questions. Many patients tend to skip questions or their answers may not be legible. Immediate check will avoid any repeat or confusion while scoring. The test would take only a few minutes and all the questions are clear and easy to answer. When the questions are being read out, the test may take up to a maximum of 10 minutes.

Step 4:

The inventory should then be scored to determine the level of anxiety. The scoring may be carried out by assigning scores according to the answers provided

Table 1: Scoring

S.No	Answer	Score
1	Not at all	0
2	Mildly	1
3	Moderately	2
4	Severely	3

The inventory will provide a score that ranges from 0 to 63.

Step 5:

The questionnaire that is obtained from the patient should be scored according to the table mentioned above and the total score should then be calculated.

Step 6:

The final score obtained will provide an insight into the level of anxiety of the individual. The level of anxiety based on the score obtained is understood as follows

Table 2: Anxiety level

S.No	Score	Inference
1	0-7	Minimal level of anxiety
2	8-15	Mild anxiety
3	16-25	Moderate anxiety
4	26-63	Severe anxiety

Step 7 Interpretation of score

Patients with minimal level of anxiety do not require any form of help as far as anxiety is concerned and it is a good feeling. However, some of these patients may have a tendency to be aloof or have unrealistically starry eyed view of situations around them.

Patients with mild anxiety may be ushered in to the situation as a result of an upcoming event in their life that they are a little apprehensive about. Calming techniques are available that help one assuage their nerves and help them revert back to their normal state.

Patients with moderate level of anxiety require professional care to help them with their anxiety. Their condition needs to be thoroughly examined and proper guidance should be provided that would aid them in reducing their anxiety levels.

Those patients with severe anxiety need medical attention immediately and they would require urgent intervention and therapy to help them reduce their alarmingly high anxiety levels.

Women who are diagnosed with anxiety disorders score 4 points more than men in this test.

Since this test is easy and does not require a psychiatrists help while administering, it can be administered readily. This test is among the popular tests administered for anxiety and is used commonly.

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