How can you tell if you have an anxiety disorder?

sometimes, i get completely stressed and for a few hours at night especially, it seems inescapable and i sometimes get hysterical, but then later can pull myself together with ease. and it's not over anything big, like PTSD big, just the little things that pile up that i feel like i cant handle

thank you all so much! this really helped

anxiety disorders usually come with physical symptoms also.
Sweating, rapid heart beat, a tightness in your chest, hard time breathing ,ect ect.
It doesnt seem to me like you have anything serious, since people with GAD dont have the ability to "pull themselves together with ease"
I would just look into getting some help with stress management. Everyone feels like they cant handle things, especially if your at a point in your life where things are changing.

sounds like it could be anxiety or panic attacks,they dont last very long(thats what my dr. said to me)..have your doctor check it out, describe all your symptoms.anxiety seems to come on all the sudden,I usually feel it coming on now and start gardening to keep my mind off of things,sometimes panic attacks can cause hyperventilation,stiffening of the legs,and chest pains,it can evan mimic a heart attack.out things.good luck, it also helps to talk about it!

Only a professional can diagnose you as having such a disorder regardless how many twits on here would tell you otherwise.

if you are experiencing something different and these things occur more frequently, it's best to see a doctor.