Beck Anxiety Inventory Scoring

The Beck anxiety inventory scoring system has a scale of rating numbers. When totalled up, one is able to determine his anxiety level. The respondents have to rate each answer according to how they feel of the individual symptom and the rate at which it occurs.

Each symptom in the inventory has scores of between zero and 3, which the test taker uses to evaluate the level of anxiety that they experience. The inventory’s rating is as follows:

* A score of zero means “I do not have this symptom at all”

* A score of 1 means “I do have this symptom, but it does not affect me very much.” This score usually indicates a mild level of the anxiety symptom.

* A score of two indicates that the individual has the symptom and it is affecting him often. This means he experiences a moderate level of the anxiety symptom.

* A rating of three indicates that the symptom he experiences the symptom and it has adverse effects on his life. The level of anxiety symptom level is described here as severe.

Some of the symptoms detailed in the inventory are: fear of death, nervousness, dizziness, trembling in the limbs and a feeling of numbness, difficulty in breathing as well as other symptoms. They are geared towards differentiating anxiety symptoms from that of depression.

The respondent, after reading through all the symptoms in the Beck inventory and giving a rating, sums up all the values indicated against each symptom. The grand total is another anxiety scoring. This total score is interpreted in the following way:

* A total score of between zero and 21 shows very low anxiety, since a majority of the symptoms were rated between 0 and 1.

* A final score in the range of 22 and 35 reflects a moderate level of anxiety, and

* A total score that is 36 points and above indicates a severe and high anxiety level, in which case the respondent should seek treatment immediately.

Every individual answers the inventory differently and will have a score that is unique to him/her self. The situations that one is in will have a direct correlation to the final score. The respondent has to examine his experience with each symptom in the past one week. This will allow accurate feedback with regards to the frequency and consistency of the symptoms.

Having very little anxiety can be interpreted as contentment with one’s life, but it is usually healthy to experience some anxiety in one’s experiences. Having too much anxiety, on the other hand, is unhealthy and it leaves an individual in fear and in a poor physical condition. Moderation in levels of anxiety usually indicates that the individual has a certain amount of anxiety that is under control, and they are advised to be careful not to let the anxiety escalate.

Anxiety levels indicated by the Beck anxiety inventory scoring should help individuals learn where they rank in terms of their mental and emotional health, as well as to know if they require professional help to cope with the results. Those with moderate to high levels of anxiety can consult medical practitioners for methods of how to keep their anxiety under control and how to enjoy a stress free life.

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