Burns Anxiety Inventory Featured Image

The Burns Anxiety Inventory

The Burns Anxiety Inventory is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess the symptoms and severity of anxiety.

The questionnaire consists of 33 questions that cover various aspects of anxiety, such as physical symptoms and worrying.

It was developed by psychologist Dr. David D. Burns and is widely used in clinical, research, and educational settings.

Free Online Assessment

You can calculate your Burns Anxiety Inventory score automatically below.

Read each question carefully and rate the frequency of each symptom.

Once you have completed all the questions, you can calculate your score and interpret the results.

In the past week, how often have you experienced the following:

1. Anxiety, nervousness, worry or fear

2. Feeling that things around you are strange, unreal or foggy

3. Feeling detached from all or part of your body

4. Sudden unexpected panic spells

5. Apprehension or a sense of impending doom

6. Feeling tense, stressed, "Uptight", or on edge

7. Difficulty concentrating

8. Racing thoughts or having your mind jump from one thing to the next

9. Frightening fantasies or daydreams

10. Feeling that you're on the verge of losing control

11. Fears of cracking up or going crazy

12. Fears of fainting or passing out

13. Fears of physical illnesses or heart attacks or dying

14. Concerns about looking foolish or inadequate in front of others

15. Fears of being alone or of being abandoned

16. Fears of criticism or disapproval

17. Fears that something terrible is about to happen

18. Skipping or racing or pounding of the heart (sometimes called"palpitations")

19. Pain, pressure or tightness in the chest

20. Tingling or numbness in the toes or fingers

21. Butterflies or discomfort in the stomach

22. Constipation or diarrhea

23. Restlessness or jumpiness

24. Tight, tense muscles

25. Sweating not brought on by heat

26. A lump in the throat

27. Trembling or shaking

28. Rubbery or "jelly" legs

29. Feeling dizzy, lightheaded or off balance

30. Choking or smothering sensations or difficulty breathing

31. Headaches or pains in the neck or back

32. Hot flashes or cold chills

33. Feeling tired, weak or easily exhausted



Total Score:

0-4: Minimal or no anxiety

5-10: Borderline anxiety

11-20: Mild Anxiety

21-30: Moderate anxiety

31-50: Severe Anxiety

51-99: Extreme Anxiety

Interpreting the results

The results of the Burns Anxiety Inventory are scored on a scale of 0 to 99, with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety symptoms.

If the assessment is being used for clinical purposes, a mental health professional will take into account the individual's symptoms, history, and overall mental health to determine the best course of action, which may include therapy, medication, or other forms of treatment.

If the assessment is being used for research or educational purposes, the results will typically be compared to a standard score or to scores from a similar population.

It's important to keep in mind that the Burns Anxiety Inventory is not a diagnostic tool, but rather a tool for measuring anxiety symptoms.

Development and History of the Burns Anxiety Inventory

The Burns Anxiety Inventory was developed by Dr. David D. Burns in 1999 as a tool to assess anxiety levels.

The questionnaire was based on Dr. Burns' previous research and clinical experience in treating individuals with anxiety disorders.

The Burns Anxiety Inventory continues to be a valuable tool for individuals seeking to understand and address their anxiety symptoms.

Advantages of Using Burns Anxiety Inventory

The Burns Anxiety Inventory is a popular tool for assessing anxiety levels due to its several advantages

Quick and easy assessment

It is a quick and easy assessment that can be completed in as little as a few minutes. This makes it a convenient option for individuals who are seeking a fast and accurate measurement of their anxiety symptoms

Valid and reliable measurement tool

The questionnaire has been shown to be a valid and reliable measurement tool, meaning that it provides accurate and consistent results. This is important for ensuring that individuals receive the most appropriate help for their symptoms.

Can be used in various settings

The Burns Anxiety Inventory can be used in various settings, including clinical, research, and educational settings. This versatility makes it a valuable tool for a wide range of individuals and professionals seeking to understand and address anxiety symptoms.

Limitations of Burns Anxiety Inventory

While the Burns Anxiety Inventory is a valuable tool for assessing anxiety levels, it is important to be aware of its limitations.

May not capture all aspects of anxiety

The questionnaire may not capture all aspects of anxiety, as it focuses on a limited set of symptoms and behaviors. This means that individuals with more complex or unique anxiety symptoms may not receive an accurate assessment using this tool.

May not be suitable for certain populations

The questionnaire may not be suitable for certain populations, such as individuals with cognitive impairments or young children, who may have difficulty understanding or completing the questionnaire.

Burns Anxiety Inventory compared to other anxiety assessments

The Burns Anxiety Inventory is just one tool for assessing severity of anxiety symptoms.

Others include the Beck Anxiety Inventory and State Trait Anxiety Inventory. The Burns Anxiety Inventory is a longer questionnaire in comparison, but has similar accuracy.

A clinician may use a combination of tools to accurately assess anxiety severity.

Conclusion

The Burns Anxiety Inventory is a widely used tool for assessing anxiety levels.

Burns Anxiety Inventory can provide valuable information for individuals seeking to understand and address their anxiety symptoms, but it should be used in conjunction with other assessments and professional guidance.

You can come back to this page periodically to calculate your Burns Anxiety Inventory score to see how your anxiety is progressing.

Therapists and psychologists are welcome to use this page with their clients.

References

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/spanish-journal-of-psychology/article/abs/anxiety-assessment-psychometric-properties-of-the-spanish-version-of-the-burns-anxiety-inventory/5CA38C2AD26FD0978377703D75E2B4E9

https://www.counseling.org/resources/library/vistas/vistas06/vistas06.50.pdf