The Easy Anxiety Test You Should Know About (But Probably Don’t!)
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and worried a lot, you may be suffering from anxiety. And the best way to determine if that’s the issue at hand and if there are any external metabolic factors that may be causing it is through a simple yet effective anxiety test known as The OAT Test.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, worried, and anxious, it’s only natural to seek relief. But to find true and lasting relief from anxiety, you must first identify what’s causing it. Because while medication is a popular option, it’s truly a short-term solution that should only act as a bridge to get you to a place of living anxiety-free. And this is where a simple anxiety test can provide the answers you need.
So, what is this anxiety test? It’s a basic urinalysis known as the OAT test, and it’s a test that should be conducted on anyone who suspects they’re suffering from anxiety. Why? Because it’s the first step in uncovering what’s really fueling your anxiety so that you can get to the root of the problem and find a lasting solution.
To understand more about the OAT test, keep reading to uncover how it works, what it measures, what it can tell you, and why it’s a must for anyone suffering from excessive worry and anxiety. We’ll also review some of the best medication-free treatments as well as some great lifestyle treatments to get you on the road to living anxiety-free.
What Is Anxiety?
Before we dive into the details of the OAT test, let’s take a quick moment to better understand anxiety.
Anxiety disorders have become rather common in our modern times, affecting millions of people around the world. In fact, researchers estimate that over 30 percent of American adults have experienced an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.
Anxiety can be crippling for many, as it’s really living in a state of hypervigilance (a chronic state of heightened awareness and alertness to the point of feeling overwhelmed and exhausted). As a result, it often manifests as a tendency to create avoidance.
Additionally, people who are naturally anxious are typically threat-oriented and put a lot of attention on the things they fear most. As a result, they often look for that fear in their world and experience self-affirming events that only increase their anxiety.
Some of the most common fears that drive anxiety are fear of abandonment and fear of the unknown. Interestingly, research has shown that anxiety often stems from a traumatic childhood experience, which accounts for up to 60 percent of the risk of anxiety (genetics make up the other 40 percent). As a result, that child grows into an adult who has a hard time managing stress.
Here at The Dearing Clinic, it’s common for us to see patients who are anxious about an existing condition or certain health issues because they don’t know what’s happening in their bodies or what to expect.
That’s why our approach is to educate our patients on what they’re dealing with. Once your personal health circumstances have been explained to you properly, it helps you to understand what’s happening and why, and this understanding is where successful healing begins.
But diagnosing anxiety can be challenging for many healthcare providers, as it often involves subjective assessments and self-reporting. Fortunately, that’s where the OAT test comes in as a great first step to treating anxiety in an effective and lasting way.
So, let’s take a closer look at the OAT test and discuss why it’s the ultimate anxiety test.
What Is the Best Anxiety Test?
When it comes to determining the most effective anxiety test, the OAT test stands out among the rest. OAT stands for organic acid test, and it’s a comprehensive urinalysis that provides valuable insights into your biochemical status, particularly surrounding your neurotransmitter formation.
By analyzing the metabolites related to your neurotransmitter production and any vitamin deficiencies you may have, the OAT test can uncover underlying causes of anxiety, such as low levels of vitamin B6. In short, it provides a clear picture on what’s going on in your brain and throughout your body that may be fueling your anxiety.
What to Know About the OAT Test
Here are some fast facts about this incredible anxiety test to help you understand why it’s so valuable for diagnosing and forming a treatment plan for anxiety.
How It Works
The OAT test involves collecting a urine sample, which is then analyzed for the presence of different organic acids. These acids are byproducts of metabolic processes in your body and can reveal imbalances or deficiencies you may have.
Specifically, the OAT test looks at metabolites involved in neurotransmitter formation and the vitamins required for their production. This anxiety test provides a snapshot of your metabolic state, highlighting areas that may contribute to anxiety.
What It Measures
The OAT test measures over 70 different markers, including:
Neurotransmitter Metabolites: Indicators of dopamine, serotonin, and other neurotransmitter levels.
Vitamin levels: Key vitamins such as B6, B12, and folate that are critical for neurotransmitter synthesis.
Metabolic pathways: Markers that reveal inefficiencies in energy production, detoxification, and other metabolic processes.
Gut health: Indicators of yeast and bacterial overgrowth, which can affect your mental health and increase your risk of anxiety.
What It Tells You
The results of your OAT test provide detailed information about your biochemical profile. So, for example, if you find you have a deficiency in vitamin B6, your doctor will explain how this can lead to insufficient production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in mood regulation.
By identifying deficiencies and imbalances like this, the OAT test offers valuable guidance for targeted nutritional and lifestyle interventions to alleviate anxiety symptoms.
Why It’s the Best Anxiety Test
The OAT test is considered one of the best tools for understanding anxiety because of its accuracy, reliability, and comprehensive reporting. Unlike subjective questionnaires, the OAT test provides objective biochemical data that details your true health status.
This detailed assessment helps you and your doctor work together to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses any specific biochemical imbalances that may be contributing to your anxiety.
If you suspect you have anxiety, the OAT test is a critical first step to take because it goes beyond just addressing the symptoms of anxiety. Instead, it focuses on identifying the root causes, which can vary greatly from person to person.
Additionally, the OAT test provides incredible insights into other aspects of your health beyond anxiety. For example, it can uncover underlying issues related to gut health, nutrient absorption, and even potential food sensitivities. Getting this comprehensive view of your health can help serve as a roadmap if you’re looking to optimize your health and well-being.
By understanding how different factors interact within your body, you can make more targeted lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and more to support your unique biochemistry. Ultimately, this proactive approach to health empowers you to take control of your wellness journey and make informed choices that align with your personal needs and goals.
Other Anxiety Test Options to Consider
While the OAT test is arguably the best anxiety test available, there are other assessment tools and treatment options worth exploring, as they can also provide valuable insights into your anxiety levels and identify potential treatment options.
First, neurofeedback and quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) are tests that measure your brain activity and identify patterns associated with anxiety. These tests can help pinpoint specific areas of your brain that may be contributing to your anxiety symptoms.
Neurofeedback is a non-invasive technique that involves monitoring your brain waves and providing real-time feedback. The goal is to help you learn how to regulate your brain activity. By training your brain to produce specific patterns associated with relaxation and focus, neurofeedback can be an effective tool in helping to manage your anxiety.
Brain mapping, also known as quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG), is a method that uses technology to create a detailed map of your brain activity. This map can reveal areas of overactivity or underactivity in your brain, which can be correlated with anxiety symptoms. By identifying these patterns, your doctor can tailor your treatment plans to target specific areas of your brain and help to relieve your anxiety.
Looking Beyond the OAT Test: What Comes Next
While the OAT test can provide valuable insights, it is important to understand that it is just the first piece of the puzzle. After receiving the test results, you should work with your doctor to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the root causes of your anxiety that were identified through the test.
Treatment options may include nutritional supplements, lifestyle modifications, stress management techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and other interventions tailored to your specific needs and preferences.
Let’s take a look at some of the natural treatment options for anxiety.
Natural Treatment for Anxiety
In addition to testing options, there are also various natural treatments for anxiety. Let’s take a look at the top non-medication treatments as well as lifestyle adjustments you can make to help relieve anxiety.
5 Non-medication treatments for anxiety
Here are five of the top most effective non-medication treatments for anxiety that you should consider after receiving the results of your OAT test.
1. Acupuncture for anxiety
This ancient healing practice involves inserting thin needles into specific points on your body to restore the flow of energy and promote relaxation. By reducing stress hormones and enhancing your mood-regulating neurotransmitters, acupuncture is known to aid in reducing anxiety.
2. IV therapy
IV therapy delivers essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients known to support your brain health and reduce anxiety directly into your bloodstream. By bypassing your digestive system, it promotes maximum absorption and effectiveness.
3. Peptide therapy
Peptides are small chains of amino acids that can have a wide range of therapeutic effects, including reducing anxiety, regulating mood, and promoting mental well-being.
4. HBOT
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber to improve oxygen delivery to your body’s tissues and promote relaxation and healing. In fact, research has shown it’s as effective as psychotherapy for relieving anxiety!
5. Cranial electrical stimulation
This therapy involves the use of low-level electrical currents applied to specific areas of your head, which can help regulate your brain activity and alleviate your anxiety symptoms. It’s used for short sessions to promote relaxation.
3 Lifestyle-Focused Treatments for Anxiety
Here are three effective lifestyle-focused treatments for anxiety that you can implement at home.
1. The Bean Diet for Anxiety
While it might sound unusual, the bean diet has gained popularity in recent years for its potential benefits in managing anxiety.
Here’s how it works: Beans are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, which can support overall mental and physical health. But that’s not all. They’re also high in complex carbohydrates, which can promote the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter known for its mood-regulating properties.
Finally, beans contain unique fibers known to feed the good bacteria in your gut that can fight bad bacteria, such as E. coli, salmonella, and more! These fibers also fuel the production of GABA, a major inhibitory neurotransmitter that slows down the nervous system, making them beans reducing anxiety and promoting quality sleep.
Just remember that the bean diet alone is not a magic solution for anxiety and should be combined with a balanced anti-inflammatory diet and other appropriate treatments for optimal results.
2. Supplements for Anxiety
In addition to dietary changes, taking certain supplements can be a great way to fill in nutritional gaps and help relieve anxiety.
Some supplements that have shown promise in reducing anxiety symptoms include:
Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in fish oil, walnuts, and flaxseeds, omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and can support brain health.
L-theanine: This amino acid, commonly found in green tea, has been shown to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.
Chamomile: This herb has natural calming properties and can be consumed as a tea or taken in supplement form.
Valerian root: Valerian root has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for anxiety and sleep disorders.
Magnesium: This essential mineral plays a role in neurotransmitter function and can help promote relaxation.
3. Practice the 3-3-3 Rule for Anxiety
Finally, one simple technique that can help manage anxiety is the 3-3-3 rule:
Take three deep breaths to calm your body.
Identify three things you can see around you.
Name three sounds you can hear.
This simple exercise can help ground you in the present moment and divert your attention away from anxious thoughts. Use it in conjunction with your other natural treatments for optimal results.
FAQs About the OAT Test
Still have some lingering questions about this highly effective anxiety test? Check out these FAQs and answers.
1. How long does the OAT test take to complete?
The OAT test is a simple anxiety test that involves collecting a urine sample, which can be done quickly. Results are usually available within one to two weeks.
2. Is the OAT test covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage for the OAT test may vary depending on your specific insurance plan. Check with your insurance provider to determine your coverage eligibility.
3. Can the OAT test diagnose anxiety disorders?
While the OAT test provides valuable information about any biochemical imbalances that can contribute to anxiety, a formal diagnosis of an anxiety disorder requires a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional.
If you’re interested in partnering with The Dearing Clinic to schedule this quick and easy anxiety test, you can book your appointment here or contact us with any remaining questions.
