The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) is a widely recognized self-assessment tool designed to help individuals evaluate the severity of their anxiety symptoms. Developed by psychologist Aaron T. Beck, the BAI is commonly used in both clinical and research settings to identify and measure various physical and emotional signs of anxiety.
This self-assessment consists of 21 questions that examine different aspects of anxiety, including physical sensations, emotional responses, and cognitive patterns. Scores range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating more pronounced anxiety symptoms.
The BAI provides a clearer understanding of how anxiety manifests and offers individuals an important first step toward recognizing their mental health needs. While the Beck Anxiety Inventory is a helpful screening tool, it does not replace a full psychological or psychiatric evaluation, which is necessary to confirm a diagnosis and guide appropriate treatment.
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) evaluates the severity of different anxiety symptoms experienced over the past week. Below is a list of common symptoms of anxiety.
Please carefully read each item in the list and note the score.
1. Question
0 – I do not feel numbness or tingling
1 – I mildly feel numbness or tingling but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately feel numbness or tingling and it wasn’t pleasant
3 – I severely feel numbness or tingling and it bothered me a lot
2. Question
0 – I do not experience feeling hot
1 – I mildly experience feeling hot, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately experience feeling hot
3 – I severely experience feeling hot and it bothered me a lot
3. Question
0 – I do not feel wobbliness in legs
1 – I mildly experience wobbliness in legs, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately experience wobbliness in legs
3 – I severely experience wobbliness in legs, and it bothered me a lot
4. Question
0 – I am able to relax
1 – I am mildly unable to relax but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I am moderately unable to relax
3 – I am severely unable to relax, and it bothered me a lot
5. Question
0 – I do not have a fear of the worst happening
1 – I mildly have a fear of the worst happening, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately have a fear of the worst
3 – I severely have a fear of the worst, and it bothers me a lot
6. Question
0 – I do not feel dizziness or lightheadedness
1 – I mildly feel dizziness or lightheadedness, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately feel dizziness
3 – I severely feel dizziness or lightheadedness, and it bothers me a lot
7. Question
0 – I do not feel my heart pounding/racing
1 – I mildly feel my heart pounding/racing, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately feel my heart pounding/racing
3 – I severely feel my heart pounding/racing, and it bothers me a lot
8. Question
0 – I do not feel unsteady
1 – I mildly feel unsteady, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately unsteady
3 – I severely feel unsteady and it bothers me a lot
9. Question
0 – I do not feel terrified or afraid
1 – I mildly feel terrified or afraid, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately feel terrified or afraid
3 – I severely feel terrified or afraid and it bothers me a lot
10. Question
0 – I do not feel nervous
1 – I mildly feel nervous, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately feel nervous
3 – I severely feel nervous and it bothers me a lot
11. Question
0 – I do not have a feeling of choking
1 – I mildly have a feeling of choking, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately have a feeling of choking
3 – I severely have a feeling of choking, and it bothers me a lot
12. Question
0 – I do not experience hands trembling
1 – I mildly experience hands trembling, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately experience hands trembling
3 – I severely experience hands trembling and it bothers me a lot
13. Question
0 – I do not feel shaky/unsteady
1 – I mildly feel shaky/unsteady, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately feel shaky/unsteady
3 – I severely feel shaky/unsteady and it bothers me a lot
14. Question
0 – I do not have a fear of losing control
1 – I mildly have a fear of losing control, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately have a fear of losing control
3 – I severely have a fear of losing control and it bothers me a lot
15. Question
0 – I do not have difficulty breathing
1 – I mildly have difficulty breathing, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately have difficulty in breathing
3 – I severely have difficulty in breathing, and it bothers me a lot
16. Question
0 – I do not have a fear of dying
1 – I mildly have a fear of dying but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately have a fear of dying
3 – I severely have a fear of dying and it bothers me a lot
17. Question
0 – I do not feel scared
1 – I mildly feel scared, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately feel scared
3 – I severely feel scared and it bothers me a lot
18. Question
0 – I do not experience indigestion
1 – I mildly experience indigestion, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately experience indigestion
3 – I severely experience indigestion, and it bothers me a lot
19. Question
0 – I do not feel faint/lightheaded
1 – I mildly feel faint/lightheaded, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately feel faint/lightheaded
3 – I severely feel faint/lightheaded and it bothers me a lot
20. Question
0 – I do not have a flushed face.
1 – I mildly have a flushed face, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately have a flushed face
3 – I experience severe facial flushing, which causes me significant discomfort.
21. Question
0 – I do not have hot or cold sweats
1 – I mildly have hot/cold sweats, but it doesn’t bother me much
2 – I moderately have hot or cold sweats
3 – I severely have hot/cold sweats, and it bothers me a lot
Interpreting the Beck Anxiety Inventory
The Beck Anxiety Inventory helps assess the severity of anxiety symptoms. After completing the 21-item self-assessment questionnaire, the scores for each item should be added together.
The highest possible total score is 63, which would mean scoring a 3 on all items.
Since the lowest score for each item is 0, the minimum total score for the inventory is 0.
You can evaluate your anxiety level according to the table below:
Total Score Level of Anxiety:
0–7 Minimal anxiety
8–15 Mild anxiety
16–25 Moderate anxiety
26–63 Severe anxiety
