GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale)

GAD-7 Scoring & Severity Levels:

0–4: Minimal anxiety

5–9: Mild anxiety

10–14: Moderate anxiety

15–21: Severe anxiety

Interpretation & Next Steps:

• Scores 10 or above suggest a clinically significant level of anxiety that may require further evaluation.

• Higher scores indicate greater severity and may suggest the need for therapeutic intervention, lifestyle changes, or medical treatment.

• It is not a diagnostic tool, but it helps healthcare providers identify individuals who may benefit from further mental health support.

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) is a widely used screening tool for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) [1]. The GAD-7 is a 7-item questionnaire that assesses the frequency and severity of anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks [2].

References

[1] Spitzer, R. L., et al. (2006). The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7). Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(11), 1130-1134.

[2] Spitzer, R. L., et al. (2006). The GAD-7: A simple measure for the diagnosis and monitoring of generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(2), 175-182.