For high-achieving individuals, pressure can be a positive force in life. Of course, finding balance is key. Too little pressure, and people may struggle to achieve anything meaningful. Too much pressure (stress) can lead to anxiety.

In study after study, stress is linked to negative physiological and psychological outcomes, including anxiety. How do you find balance? How can you measure when pressure is becoming stress?

Developed by psychiatry professor Dr. William W.K. Zung back in the 1970s, the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) is an assessment tool designed to help you evaluate how much anxiety you may be carrying with you from week to week.  It measures anxiety in four systems — cognitive, autonomic, motor and central nervous.

The SAS asks you to reflect on the past week and give statements like “I feel more nervous and anxious than usual” a rating from 1 to 4. A score of 20–44 suggests a typical level of anxiety. 45–59 reflects mild to moderate anxiety. 60–74 signifies severe anxiety, and 75–80 indicates extreme anxiety.

The Zung scale is not a diagnostic tool. It is simply a snapshot of where you are both in the moment and over time. You might find that your score is in the “normal” range and feel reassured. You might find your score is higher than you expected and take that as a sign to start shifting some habits, reaching out for help or bringing the results to your practitioner to start a deeper conversation.

Remember, anxiety is part of being human. Sometimes it helps us focus and move forward. However, when it lingers unchecked, it can chip away at joy, performance and overall health.

Whatever your number, know that you deserve care and clarity.

There are steps you can take to feel more confident in your own life.

You’re not alone in that work.

If you notice yourself feeling unusually anxious over time, consult with your practitioner.  They will be able to help guide you and suggest a course of action.

Sources:

Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) https://psychology-tools.com/test/zung-anxiety-scale
Norms for Zung's Self-rating Anxiety Scale https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32111187/
Assigning Clinical Significance and Symptom Severity Using the Zung Scales https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29610683/
Screening for anxiety and depression: reassessing the utility of the Zung scales https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-017-1489-6