Anxiety, burnout, and depression can show up in ways that feel surprisingly similar. Understanding the differences can help you find support that actually works.
Take this quick quiz to help clarify what might be going on beneath the surface. Each question offers three common responses to stress or emotional challenges. Choose the one that feels closest to what you’ve been experiencing most often.
At the end, you’ll find a breakdown of what your answers may be telling you—and how the team at Raleigh Oaks Behavioral Health can support your path forward.
A Quick Mental Health Quiz
- On a typical day, your mind is:
A) Racing with worry, playing out every possible “what if” scenario.
B) Overloaded, like you’ve been running on fumes for weeks and can’t shut down.
C) Blank or heavy—like nothing matters and you can’t muster up energy for anything. - Your emotional state lately feels like:
A) You’re always on edge, easily startled, or tense even when nothing’s happening.
B) You’re numb and it feels like you’re watching your life from the outside.
C) You’re weighed down by sadness or emptiness, and joy feels unreachable. - When it comes to sleep:
A) You lie awake, tossing and turning because you are stuck in your thoughts.
B) You fall asleep fast, but still wake up tired and unmotivated.
C) You sleep too much or too little, but waking up feels like a chore. - When someone asks how you’re doing, your honest thought is:
A) “I’m freaking out, but I don’t want to seem dramatic.”
B) “I’m too tired to care.”
C) “I honestly don’t know—I just feel…gone.” - You notice your body often feels:
A) Tense, jittery, maybe with headaches, a tight chest, or an upset stomach.
B) Sluggish, sore, or chronically fatigued.
C) Weak, drained, and achy, as if your energy’s been sucked away completely. - When it comes to focus and motivation:
A) You can’t concentrate because your thoughts won’t slow down.
B) You push through tasks, but your passion and creativity are gone.
C) You can’t bring yourself to start anything—you feel stuck and directionless. - Social interactions lately feel:
A) Draining because you’re overthinking every word or gesture.
B) Exhausting because you’re pretending to care when you don’t.
C) Pointless. (You’ve pulled away from people because you don’t see the use in connecting.) - The thought of facing another day makes you feel:
A) Anxious, like you need to prepare for something bad.
B) Dreadful, like you’re running a marathon without rest.
C) Hopeless, like there’s no reason to try.
What Your Answers Might Mean
If You Picked Mostly A Responses
You may be dealing with anxiety—a condition that can turn daily life into a series of stressful what-ifs. People with anxiety often live in a state of heightened alertness. You might feel like your brain is constantly scanning for danger, even when nothing obvious is wrong. This can leave you feeling jumpy, tense, or constantly “on edge.”
Physically, anxiety often shows up as tight muscles, a racing heart, an upset stomach, or even trouble sleeping. Emotionally, it can feel like you’re always bracing for something bad to happen.
Anxiety isn’t about weakness. It’s your nervous system responding to perceived threats, even if they’re not real. With the right tools, support, and treatment, it’s entirely possible to feel more grounded, safe, and in control of your thoughts again.
If You Picked Mostly B Responses
It sounds like you may be struggling with burnout—especially if your stress comes from caregiving, work, or overcommitting without relief. Burnout is more than just being tired. It’s an emotional shutdown after giving too much for too long. It can sneak up on high performers, loving parents, healthcare workers, and anyone who feels like they have to “keep it together” no matter what.
When you’re burned out, even tasks you once enjoyed can feel pointless. You might dread your job, even if you used to love it. You may feel like you’re failing others, even as you go through the motions. Your body could feel heavy, and no amount of rest seems to help.
Burnout isn’t about being lazy. It’s your brain and body sounding the alarm that something needs to change. The good news? With boundaries, rest, and emotional support, you can reconnect to your sense of purpose and start enjoying life again—not just surviving it.
If You Picked Mostly C Responses
You may be facing symptoms of clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder. Contrary to popular belief, depression doesn’t always look like sadness. Sometimes, it feels like nothing at all. You may be going through the motions of life but feel emotionally disconnected.
You might have trouble sleeping, or sleep too much. Food might taste different. Things you used to love—hobbies, friends, music, nature—might no longer move you. It’s not about a bad week or being in a funk. It’s a deep, ongoing sense of disconnection from joy, motivation, and meaning.
Depression can lie to you. It can make you believe things will never get better or that you’re a burden to others. But these thoughts are symptoms—not truths. With the right combination of therapy, medication, and support, life can feel vibrant again.
We’re Here to Provide the Support You Need
No matter how you answered our quiz, your pain is valid. And no matter what you’re facing—anxiety, burnout, depression, or a mix of all three—you are not broken. You are simply someone who’s hurting and deserves support.
At Raleigh Oaks Behavioral Health, healing begins with the right team, compassionate care, and a plan tailored to your needs. Reach out today for a free, confidential assessment. Whether you need someone to talk to, a treatment plan, or just a place to start exploring your options—we’re here for you.
