GAD-7 Anxiety Test (Score & Severity)
Screen for generalised anxiety and gauge its severity with the GAD-7, a seven-item questionnaire. For each item, choose how often it has bothered you over the last two weeks; each answer scores 0 to 3 for a total of 0 to 21. This is a self-assessment screening aid, not a diagnosis.
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following?
About the GAD-7
The GAD-7 is a validated self-report screen for generalised anxiety disorder that is widely used to gauge severity and monitor treatment, and it often accompanies the PHQ-9 depression screen. Source: Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JBW, Löwe B, “A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7,” Archives of Internal Medicine 2006;166(10):1092–1097.
How this is calculated
| Response | Points |
|---|---|
| Not at all | 0 |
| Several days | 1 |
| More than half the days | 2 |
| Nearly every day | 3 |
| Maximum (7 items) | 21 |
Add the seven responses. Severity: 0–4 minimal, 5–9 mild, 10–14 moderate, 15–21 severe; a score ≥ 10 suggests clinically significant anxiety (≈ 89% sensitivity, 82% specificity). Source: Spitzer RL et al., Arch Intern Med 2006;166(10):1092–1097.
Frequently asked questions
How is the GAD-7 scored?
Each of the seven items is rated 0 (not at all), 1 (several days), 2 (more than half the days) or 3 (nearly every day), and the answers are added for a total of 0 to 21. The severity bands are 0–4 minimal, 5–9 mild, 10–14 moderate and 15–21 severe. No items are reverse-scored.
What does a GAD-7 score of 10 or more mean?
A score of 10 or above is the usual threshold for clinically significant anxiety and the point at which further evaluation is recommended, with about 89% sensitivity and 82% specificity for generalised anxiety disorder in the validation study. It does not confirm a diagnosis — it flags that a fuller assessment is worthwhile. The score is also used to track anxiety over time.
Does the GAD-7 only detect generalised anxiety disorder?
The GAD-7 was developed for generalised anxiety disorder but also performs reasonably as a screen for panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder — a raised score suggests an anxiety problem worth exploring, without specifying which one. A clinician distinguishes between them. The GAD-7 itself was developed and validated by Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams and Löwe, who published it in 2006 as a brief screening tool for use in primary care.
Is the GAD-7 a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder?
No — the GAD-7 is a validated screening and severity tool, not a diagnostic test. Diagnosing an anxiety disorder requires a clinical assessment that considers how long symptoms have lasted, their effect on your life, and other possible causes such as physical illness or medication. Use the score as a starting point for a conversation with a health professional.
How often should it be used?
The GAD-7 asks about the past two weeks and can be repeated — for example every few weeks — to monitor change, and it pairs well with the PHQ-9 depression screen since anxiety and depression often occur together. A single score is only a snapshot. This is an educational reference, not medical advice.
This is a reference tool, not a diagnosis or medical advice. Results depend on the laboratory, assay and clinical context, and reference intervals vary between labs and by age and sex — always read your result against the range printed on your own report and discuss it with a qualified healthcare professional.
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