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Anxiety Quiz

The following questions are meant to assess how anxiety or trauma may be manifesting in sensory experience. You may take the test for yourself or a loved one of any age. 

The results will be sent to you and your yoga therapist/health coach and depending on the score you receive we may offer you a follow-up phone call to gauge interest in some cutting-edge new therapeutic technology, pioneered by Dr. Stephen Porges, the originator of the polyvagal theory. 

Click the button below to start.

Start

Question 1 of 10

Sound sensitivity

We'll begin our quiz by taking a look at how sensitive you are to the environment around you via the vibration of sound.

 

Please check all that apply. If you are uncertain, leave it blank. 

(Select all that apply)
A

Auditory hypersensitivity/hyperacusis where certain frequencies of sound are strongly disliked; noisy environments are avoided

B

Misophonia - specific sounds have to be avoided or feel unbearable

C

Auditory Processing Disorder - hearing is normal but processing and understanding what is heard is compromised. Difficulty hearing speech when there is background

D

Other - provide more details in the space below

E

None

Question 2 of 10

General sensory sensitivity

Now let's take a look at other ways sensitivity shows up when we are anxious or activated.

 

Check all that apply and provide details:

(Select all that apply)
A

Certain clothing and textures are irritating

B

Certain tastes are overwhelming

C

Extreme response to certain smells

D

Difficulty knowing where limbs are in space

E

Extreme motion sickness

F

Hypersensitivity to light

G

Inability to accommodate and adjust to certain sensations

H

None

Question 3 of 10

Nervous system tendency

 

When reacting to distressing events in our lives (become dysregulated or destabilized), it is normal for us to quickly move out of a restful state of social engagement and connection, and into a survival state. There are two general types of survival responses or defensive states and we usually tend to move towards one more than the other.

The two states are:

 

● Activation/mobilization (sympathetic hyper-arousal)

● Shutdown/immobilization 

 

Please use the lists of descriptors below to help you consider which you tend more toward.

 

Please note that while these descriptors may have a negative tone, both states are important and valuable supports of the body.

(Select all that apply)
A

Anxious

B

Agitated

C

Restless

D

Tense

E

Irritable

F

Hypervigilant

G

Uptight

H

Impulsive

I

Rigid

J

Rage

K

Consumed by racing thoughts

L

Racing heart

M

Rapid Breathing

N

Unable to focus

O

Too much energy

P

Reactive

Q

Stress

R

Quick to become frustrated

S

Loud voice

T

Name-calling or making accusatory remarks

U

Figity. Constantly moving

V

Intrusive thoughts

W

Frequent bursts of anger or hostility

X

No time or patience to make conversation

Y

Confrontation, all or nothing, controlling

Z

Angry or aggressive behavior

AA

Impulsive decisions or actions

AB

Over-reactive responses

AC

Loss of patience

AD

Panic Attacks

AE

Perseverative thoughts

AF

Feeling defensive

AG

None

Question 4 of 10

Shut-Down

The internationally acclaimed, Dr. Stephen Porges defines other states of the Nervous System which may be assessed for even further information and therapeutic application with the Polyvagal Theory.


In a state of dorsal vagal hypo-arousal you might feel:

(Select all that apply)
A

Low

B

Shut down

C

Shame

D

Numb

E

Overwhelmed

F

Frozen

G

Sad

H

Depressed

I

Lifeless

J

Sluggish

K

Heavy

L

Isolated

M

Slow/No energy

N

Want to curl up and hide

O

Avoidant

P

Withdrawn

Q

Disconnected

R

Alone

S

Unreachable

T

Hopeless

U

None

Question 5 of 10

In dorsal vagal hypo-arousal you might exhibit the following behaviors:

(Select all that apply)
A

Zoning out

B

Feeling outside awareness

C

Withdrawn from connection

D

Hiding or shrinking

E

Letting others speak up and lead

F

Collapsed posture

G

Shut-down behavior

H

Depleted of energy

I

Social isolation

J

Averting eye contact

K

Avoiding touch

L

Giving up

M

Giving in

N

Digestive distress

O

Flat facial expression and monotone voice

P

None

Question 6 of 10

After comparing the feelings and behaviors of the first section and the second section where do you fall? 

 

Section 1

I tend more toward Sympathetic hyper-arousal (activation/ mobilization)

 

Section 2 

Dorsal vagal hypo-arousal (shutdown/ immobilization)

 

Add any notes you feel may be significant or type NONE to advance to the next question

Question 7 of 10

Safe and Sound

 

In contrast to the two defensive states above, when you are at rest, feeling comfortable, and cues of safety outweigh any cues of danger in your environment, you may be in a ventral vagal state where you can be socially engaged, calm, have impulse control, and generally experience feelings of wellbeing. In a ventral vagal calm state, you might feel:

(Select all that apply)
A

Safe and secure

B

Alert

C

Confident

D

Ready to participate

E

Curious

F

Calm

G

Content

H

Engaged

I

In control

J

Trusting

K

Willing

L

Accessible

M

Accepting

N

Interested

O

Joyful

P

Cared for

Q

Grateful

R

Other

S

None

Question 8 of 10

In a ventral vagal calm state, you might exhibit the following behaviors:

(Select all that apply)
A

Engaged and aware

B

Cooperative

C

Open to new ideas

D

Advocating and doing things for yourself

E

Speaking your mind

F

Feeling connected but loose in your body

G

Curious and playful

H

Ready to learn

I

Interested in social connection

J

Maintaining eye contact

K

Affectionate

L

Wanting to do things for yourself

M

Perserverance

N

Healthy digestion

O

Facial expressiveness and a prosodic voice

P

None

Question 9 of 10

"I have experienced feeling safe and being in a ventral vagal state and can relate to these descriptors". 

(Select all that apply)
A

Agree

B

Unsure

C

Disagree

Question 10 of 10

Thank you for your participation in this survey! 

Type FINISHED to get your results.

You may find it useful to print out your results and bring them with you to your primary care provider with any concerns.

 

You'll also receive a separate email from Davidson Yoga Therapy describing some new research-based, cutting-edge polyvagal therapies that have made a tremendous difference in the lives of many people who are now enjoying life more thoroughly in a calm, ventral vagal state.

Or you can simply start to scroll down on this webpage for more information.  

 

If you would like the therapist to reach out to you directly about your results, please enter your name and phone number below - and leave any more details you feel pertinent.

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