Physical exam for symptoms of anxiety

During a physical exam for symptoms of anxiety, the health professional checks for other physical causes of symptoms. The health professional may:

• Check your blood pressure and temperature.
• Take your pulse.
• Listen to your lungs and heart.
• Check to see whether your nerves are functioning normally. For example, the health professional may tap your elbow or knee with a small rubber hammer to see whether you have quick or slow physical reflexes, or he or she may check your balance by asking you to stand with your eyes closed and your arms stretched out in front of you.
• Feel your thyroid gland. This is the gland that lies in front of the windpipe (trachea), just below the voice box (larynx).
• Take blood or urine samples to test for other illnesses or conditions.