21 Points Of Beck Anxiety Inventory
There are twenty-one items on the Beck Anxiety Inventory. These items represent the physical and psychological symptoms of anxiety. Many of the items on the list focus on the physiological or psychosomatic symptoms rather than cognitive symptoms. As such, the BAI is often paired with the Penn State Worry Questionnaire, which is a more accurate representation of cognitive symptoms such as catastrophizing.
Numbness Or Tingling
Numbness or tingling could be present in the extremities such as the hands, feet, or legs. Tingling could also be present as a general symptom without a specific location, such as the feeling that all of your skin has a tingling sensation.
Feeling Hot
Frequently people who are experiencing anxiety have a rise in temperature. This can make you feel hot when you shouldn't be hot. For example, you may begin sweating from a feeling of being hot out of the blue while in a well air-conditioned room.
Wobbliness In Legs
Wobbliness in legs refers to the feeling that your legs are not going to hold you up. For example, you may feel that just standing is too much effort and that you may fall at any moment.
Unable To Relax
Being unable to relax is a clear symptom of anxiety. When you are unable to relax in spite of your best efforts, your anxiety may be playing a role.
Fear Of Worst Happening
When anxiety is in full swing, you may often feel as though the worst is bound to happen. Your thoughts become dominated with how things could go wrong with any situations that you face. This, of course, can make the other anxiety symptoms that much worse in turn.
Dizzy Or Lightheaded
Some people feel dizzy or lightheaded when they have high anxiety. The dizziness or lightheadedness may occur when you stand from a sitting position or sit from a laying down position. It could also occur out of the blue while already standing or walking. This is a feeling as though you might faint.
Heart Pounding/Racing
When anxiety is in full swing, the heart rate often rises. You will feel your heart pounding in your chest. Or, you may be able to feel the effects of your racing heart in the way that you feel physically. An increased heart rate can also make you feel short of breath and can cause other symptoms such as lightheadedness.
Unsteady
This item refers to the feeling that you are simply not steady on your feet or sitting down. You may feel wobbly or weak, or just not up to holding yourself in an upright position.
Terrified Or Afraid
People who have anxiety frequently feel terrified or afraid, sometimes for no logically discernable reason. You may also feel terrified or afraid of things that appear to be logical fears, but to such an extent that you are unable to function.
Nervous
Feeling nervous is a classic symptom of anxiety. You might feel nervous in some different situations, such as social situations. You may also feel nervous for other reasons such as financial stress or other common stressors. Nervousness may also occur for no discernable reason.
Feeling Of Choking
Some people who have severe anxiety have the feeling that they are choking. This is a restriction of the throat, where breathing may become difficult.
Hands Trembling
Many people who suffer from anxiety notice that their hands tremble when they are nervous or anxious. Trembling hands are hands that are shaking badly enough that holding a pen or writing down a number is difficult.
Shaky/Unsteady
Again, this refers to the feeling that you simply cannot keep yourself upright. Your whole body may be shaking or feel as though it is vibrating. You may be unable to hold yourself in a standing position for very long.
Fear Of Losing Control
People with anxiety are often afraid of losing control. Because of the other symptoms and also because of the anxiety itself, people frequently feel fear that they will not be able to control themselves, their behavior, or what is going on around them.
Difficulty Breathing
Difficulty breathing is a common symptom of anxiety. Breaths may come in short, rapid succession. You may feel your chest or throat tightening and have difficulty drawing in a deep breath.
Fear Of Dying
People with severe anxiety often have the feeling of a fear of dying. While most people have a fear of dying, the person with anxiety thinks about and focuses their attention on this fear.
Scared
Feeling scared can occur at any time, for any reason. You may become scared of things that could never happen. Often people with severe anxiety feel scared even when their conscious mind is telling themselves that there is no logical reason to be scared, yet the feeling will not dissipate.
Indigestion
Indigestion is another symptom of anxiety. Anxiety can increase the acid in your stomach, causing indigestion. Severe and prolonged symptoms of indigestion could lead to the development of stomach ulcers.
Faint/Lightheaded
You may feel as though you are going to faint. Beyond feeling slightly lightheaded and unsteady, this item refers to feeling as though you are going to pass out. You may even notice the darkness of vision as your body tries to faint.
Face Flushed
A rise in body temperature or heart rate can frequently make your face flush. If you notice that your face is getting red when you are anxious or nervous, you would answer this item accordingly.
Hot/Cold Sweats
You may break out in a sweat if you are highly anxious, even if you are in a cold room. Sweating could be either hot or cold but is uncomfortable.