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Informational · does not replace consultation with a healthcare professional.

GAD-7 Anxiety Scale

Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale for screening and severity measurement.

Switch how results are explained

1. Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge
2. Not being able to stop or control worrying
3. Worrying too much about different things
4. Trouble relaxing
5. Being so restless that it is hard to sit still
6. Becoming easily annoyed or irritable
7. Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen
Score0low risk
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Minimal anxiety (0–4). Typically does not require formal intervention.

Evidence grade
A

What it is and when to use it

The GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale) is a self-administered questionnaire sensitive to anxiety symptom severity in outpatient settings.

How to interpret it

Scores 0–4: Minimal anxiety; 5–9: Mild anxiety; 10–14: Moderate anxiety; 15–21: Severe anxiety.

Limitations and when not to use it

Scores ≥10 suggest probable Generalized Anxiety Disorder and warrant further clinical assessment for panic disorder, social anxiety, or PTSD.

Frequently asked questions

Is GAD-7 useful for panic disorder?
Yes, GAD-7 has good sensitivity and specificity for screening panic disorder, social phobia, and PTSD in addition to GAD.

Formulas and cut-offs are from the original authors of each score; see the references.

Last reviewed: June 2026

References
  1. Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JB, Löwe B. A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Arch Intern Med. 2006;166(10):1092-1097. PMID:16717171