GAD-7 Anxiety Test
What Is the GAD-7 Anxiety Screening?
How Is the GAD-7 Scored?
What Do My GAD-7 Results Mean?
GAD-7 scores range from 0 to 21. Score 0–4: minimal anxiety. Score 5–9: mild anxiety. Score 10–14: moderate anxiety. Score 15–21: severe anxiety.
Reviewed by Jason Ramirez, CADC-II
Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADC-II) · 11 years of clinical experience
The GAD-7 is a clinically validated 7-question tool that measures generalized anxiety disorder severity.
Anyone experiencing worry, nervousness, or anxiety symptoms who wants a standardized self-assessment.
Your score indicates anxiety severity on a recognized clinical scale — always discuss results with a mental health professional.
Reviewed by Jason Ramirez, CADC-II
Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADC-II) · 11 years of clinical experience
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GAD-7 test?
The GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) is a validated 7-question screening tool developed by Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams, and Löwe, published in 2006 in the Archives of Internal Medicine. It is one of the most widely used brief anxiety screening instruments in primary care worldwide. The WHO estimated in 2022 that 301 million people globally live with an anxiety disorder, making accessible screening tools like the GAD-7 essential. It asks how often you have experienced anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks.
What is a normal GAD-7 score?
GAD-7 scores are interpreted as follows: 0–4 is minimal anxiety, 5–9 is mild, 10–14 is moderate, and 15–21 is severe anxiety. A score of 10 or above is often used as a threshold to indicate further clinical evaluation is warranted.
What does the GAD-7 questionnaire measure?
The GAD-7 measures seven core anxiety symptoms: feeling nervous or on edge, inability to control worrying, worrying too much, difficulty relaxing, restlessness, irritability, and feeling afraid something awful might happen.
Is the GAD-7 test the same as a diagnosis?
No. The GAD-7 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A high score indicates that anxiety symptoms are present and that talking to a mental health professional would be beneficial. Only a licensed clinician can provide a formal diagnosis.
Can anxiety and depression occur together?
Yes, anxiety and depression frequently co-occur. Research suggests that approximately 50% of people diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. If you score high on the GAD-7, taking the PHQ-9 depression screening may also be informative.
Does the GAD-7 only screen for generalized anxiety?
While developed for generalized anxiety disorder, research has shown the GAD-7 also has reasonable sensitivity for detecting panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, it is not a specific diagnostic tool for any of these conditions.
Is my data stored or shared?
No. All scoring happens entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your answers are never sent to any server, stored in any database, or shared with anyone. When you close or reset this page, your responses are gone.
What should I do if my GAD-7 score is high?
A higher score suggests more anxiety symptoms, but does not mean you have a specific diagnosis. Consider talking with a healthcare provider, therapist, or counselor. If anxiety is significantly impacting your daily life, seeking help sooner is encouraged.
What does my anxiety assessment score mean?
Your GAD-7 score reflects the frequency of anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks. Scores of 0–4 indicate minimal anxiety, 5–9 mild, 10–14 moderate, and 15–21 severe. The score helps identify whether anxiety symptoms are present and how much they may be affecting your daily life. It is a snapshot, not a permanent label.
Is this anxiety test medically accurate?
The GAD-7 is one of the most extensively validated anxiety screening tools in clinical research. Studies demonstrate a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 82% for generalized anxiety disorder at a cutoff score of 10. It is used by doctors, psychologists, and researchers worldwide. However, it is a screening tool — not a diagnostic instrument — and results should be discussed with a healthcare professional for proper context.
How often should I take an anxiety assessment?
The GAD-7 measures symptoms over the past two weeks, so retaking it every 2–4 weeks is a practical interval for tracking changes. If you are currently receiving treatment, your provider may use repeated GAD-7 scores to monitor progress. A drop of 5 or more points is generally considered a clinically meaningful improvement.
For comprehensive information on anxiety disorders and global mental health resources, visit the WHO Mental Health Resources.
GAD-7 Anxiety Self-Check
A validated screening questionnaire that helps you reflect on anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks. Your answers stay in your browser and are never stored.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
Reviewed by Jason Ramirez, CADC-II with 11 years of clinical experience in substance abuse counseling.
Last reviewed: March 2026
Before you begin
This self-check uses the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), a validated screening instrument developed by Drs. Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams, and Löwe. It is free to use without licensing fees.
Please understand:
- This is not a diagnosis and does not replace professional evaluation.
- Results are educational only — they describe symptom levels, not clinical conditions.
- Only a qualified healthcare professional can diagnose or treat conditions.
- Your answers are processed entirely in your browser and are never stored or transmitted.
- If you are in immediate danger or having thoughts of self-harm, please contact emergency services or a crisis hotline now.
Clinical References
- Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B. W., & Löwe, B. (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: The GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(10), 1092–1097. doi:10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092
- Löwe, B., Decker, O., Müller, S., Brähler, E., Schellberg, D., Herzog, W., & Herzberg, P. Y. (2008). Validation and standardization of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7) in the general population. Medical Care, 46(3), 266–274. doi:10.1097/MLR.0b013e318160d093