After a while, chronic anxiety can have an effect on... Your heart. Anxiety and chronic stress sufferers are more at risk for cardiovascular problems due to a constant increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure and overexposure to cortisol.
The 5 week period is usually about right for something like a federal return. A state return, on the other hand, will take about 6 to 8 weeks. The process takes a little longer when this is done by mail. A 4 week return for electronic filing may actually take closer to 6 weeks with a postal check.
An amended return is manually processed and can take up to 16 weeks to be processed by the IRS. The process can take longer than 16 weeks if the amended return is not signed; is incomplete; has errors; requires additional information; needs clearance by the bankruptcy area within the IRS; has been routed to a specialized area; or has been affected by identity fraud.