GAD-7 Anxiety Screener
The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale is a validated anxiety screener used widely in primary care. Answer honestly about the past two weeks. Your score helps you decide whether to seek professional support.
GAD-7 Anxiety Screener
The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale is a validated anxiety screener used widely in primary care. Answer honestly about the past two weeks. Your score helps you decide whether to seek professional support.
This is a validated screening tool, not a diagnosis. Only a qualified healthcare or mental health professional can diagnose depression, anxiety, or any condition. If your results concern you, please reach out for professional help. If you’re in distress or crisis, contact a helpline now — in the US & Canada call or text 988, in the UK call Samaritans on 116 123, in Australia call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
This tool is for general education and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not use it to make health decisions — talk to a qualified professional about your health.
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What the GAD-7 measures
The GAD-7 asks about seven core symptoms of generalized anxiety over the past two weeks. Each item is scored 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). The total ranges from 0 to 21.
The bands — minimal, mild, moderate, and severe — are the standard cutoffs from the instrument developers. Higher scores indicate more anxiety symptoms, not a diagnosis.
What to do with your result
A score of 10 or above is the standard cutoff for further assessment. If your score is 10 or higher, please consider speaking with a healthcare professional about your anxiety symptoms.
Anxiety is highly treatable — therapy, lifestyle changes, and medication are all options. Your doctor or a mental health professional can help you find the right approach.
Anxiety vs normal worry
Everyone worries sometimes. The GAD-7 asks whether worry and anxiety have been frequent and interfering over the past two weeks. A low score does not mean you never worry — it means anxiety is not currently a significant problem.
If anxiety is affecting your sleep, work, relationships, or daily life, please reach out for support — regardless of your score.
Frequently asked questions
Can the GAD-7 diagnose anxiety?
No. The GAD-7 is a screening tool — it identifies whether anxiety symptoms are present and how severe they appear. Only a qualified healthcare or mental health professional can diagnose an anxiety disorder.
What score should concern me?
A score of 10 or above suggests moderate anxiety and is the standard cutoff for further assessment. A score of 15 or above suggests severe anxiety. If either applies, please talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.
Does the GAD-7 cover panic attacks?
The GAD-7 screens for generalized anxiety symptoms, not panic disorder specifically. If you experience sudden, intense episodes of fear with physical symptoms (racing heart, shortness of breath, feeling faint), mention this to your doctor — panic disorder is assessed separately.
Can I use the GAD-7 to track my anxiety over time?
Yes. The GAD-7 is commonly used to monitor symptom severity over time. If you are in treatment, your provider may ask you to retake it every few weeks. If self-monitoring, retake every 2-4 weeks and discuss the trend with your doctor.
Sources & references
Not medical advice. This result is an educational estimate from HealthyLifeStyles (Trusted Wellness), based on population formulas — not a diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about your health.
https://www.healthylifesstyles.com/tools/gad-7-anxiety-screener