It started with small things, and I began to question myself: Do I have anxiety?
It started with small things that made me wonder, & Do I have anxiety?”
My hands would tremble as I stood in line at Tim Hortons. I would abruptly reschedule my plans due to the nauseating thought of boarding the Vancouver SkyTrain. My heart wouldn’t stop racing, causing me to lie awake in my Toronto apartment, convinced I was about to die.
For months, I told myself, “This is just stress. Everyone feels like this.”
Then came the morning I couldn’t leave my bathroom. I was getting ready for work when suddenly, the walls seemed to close in. My vision tunneled. I slid to the floor, gasping, certain that the incident was a heart attack. Paramedics told me it was a panic attack – my third that week.
That’s when I finally asked the question you might be asking now: “Do I have anxiety?”
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The Quiz That Changed Everything For Me
Before we dive in, let’s be clear: This isn’t a diagnosis. But it’s the same quiz my doctor in Ottawa used to start our conversation about anxiety. Answer honestly – no one’s judging.
1. Physical Symptoms (Past Month)
– Heart palpitations when nothing stressful is happening
– Unexplained nausea or stomach aches (like before social events)
– Trembling hands that make you avoid holding coffee in public
– Dizziness or feeling “unreal” (I once left a Winnipeg grocery store because the lights felt “wrong”)
2. Thought Patterns
– Spending hours replaying awkward conversations (that time at the Calgary Stampede…)
– Catastrophizing small issues (“If I’m late, I’ll get fired and end up homeless.”)
– Avoiding places/events because, “What if I panic?” (I missed 3 friends’ weddings.)
3. Behavioral Changes
– Cancelling plans last minute (even things you want to do)
– Over-preparing to avoid surprises (my 12-page packing list for a weekend in Montreal)
– Needing constant reassurance (“Does this email sound angry?” x100)
I’m not trying to frighten you, but I wish someone had informed me earlier.
“But everyone gets anxious!”
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How Anxiety Differs From Normal Worry
Here’s what my BC therapist explained that changed everything:
Normal Worry
– Lasts a few hours/days
– Tied to specific events (exams, job interviews)
– Doesn’t stop you from living your life
Clinical Anxiety
– Lingers for months (my “stressful summer” lasted 2 years)
– Hits randomly (panic attack at a Halifax movie theater)
– Changes your behavior (I took taxis for 6 months to avoid buses)
Canadian Reality Check: A CAMH study found 1 in 4 Ontario adults experience clinical anxiety – most don’t realize it.
Could This Really Be Anxiety? Real Canadian Stories
1. The Overachiever (Toronto, 28)
“I thought my chest pain was from work stress. Turns out, writing 8 drafts of every email wasn’t normal.”
2. The New Mom (Edmonton, 31)
“I’d stand by the crib for hours, convinced my baby would stop breathing. My doctor called it postpartum anxiety.”
3. The Retiree (Victoria, 67)
“After my wife died, I couldn’t leave the house. Not depression – agoraphobia.”
My Story: I scored 8/10 on this quiz when I first took it. My doctor gently said, “Shubhangi, you’re not stressed. You’ve had generalized anxiety for years.”
Please Enjoy Reading signs-of-anxiety-disorder
What steps should you take if you are wondering, “Do I have anxiety?”
1. Try This Today (From Anxiety Canada)
– 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding: Name 5 things you see (Toronto skyline), 4 you feel (your sweater), etc.
– Temperature Shock: Hold ice cubes during panic (weird but works)
2. Canadian-Specific Next Steps
– Free Online Therapy: [Wellness Together Canada](https://wellnesstogether.ca)
– Text Support: Crisis Text Line (Text “HOME” to 686868)
– Provincial Help:
– BC: [HereToHelp](https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca)
– ON: [ConnexOntario](https://www.connexontario.ca)
– QC: [L’Écoute Entraide](https://www.ecouteentraide.org)
3. Medication Without Shame
My Winnipeg psychiatrist said, “If you had diabetes, you’d take insulin. This is no different.”
WiWill I Always Feel Like This? (The Hope You Need)
No. But healing isn’t linear.
Some days I’m the woman who gave a mental health talk at a Vancouver conference. Other days, I cry in Rexall because there are too many shampoo choices.
What Changed:
– Therapy (CBT via [CAMH](https://www.camh.ca))
– Medication (after 2 years of resisting)
– Small victories (riding the subway again)
Your Turn: Let’s Normalize This Conversation
If you’re still wondering, “Do I have anxiety?” here’s your next step:
🔹 Take this quiz seriously – Print your answers to discuss with a doctor
🔹 Bookmark (https://www.anxietycanada.com) Their resources saved me
🔹 Comment below—what surprised you in this quiz?
You’re not “just stressed.” You’re not “too sensitive.” And most importantly, help exists here in Canada.
Please Enjoy Reading death-fear
Final Thought:
Anxiety thrives in silence. The moment I said out loud, “I think I have anxiety” to my Montreal doctor, the shame started lifting.
Whatever your quiz results, whatever your next step, know this: winter doesn’t last forever. Neither does untreated anxiety.
You’ve already taken the hardest step by searching for answers. Now let’s find the right ones – together. 💙
