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 Take your
pulse. Listen to your lungs and 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. How this information was developed to help you make
better health decisions.