Determining Level of Anxiety Test

A 7-item clinical screen measuring anxiety severity over the past two weeks.

If worry has been running the show lately — racing thoughts, restlessness, a body that won't settle — the GAD-7 gives you a fast, evidence-based read on how intense it's gotten. This is the validated 7-item GAD-7 clinical anxiety screen used in doctors' offices and therapy intakes worldwide, not a self-help guess. A couple of minutes from now you'll have a severity score and a clear sense of whether it's time to act.

Clinical screening — not a diagnosis. Answer based on the past two weeks unless stated otherwise.

Question 1 of 70%

Think back over the last couple of weeks — ordinary mornings, the commute, a meeting on the calendar, waiting for a message to come through. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems? Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge.

What This Assessment Measures

The GAD-7 measures how often you've experienced seven hallmark anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks — nervousness, uncontrollable worry, restlessness, irritability, trouble relaxing, and a sense of impending dread. Developed by Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams and Löwe in 2006, it's the standard anxiety screen used across primary care and mental health settings, and this test uses the exact same items and cutoffs (0-4 minimal through 15-21 severe) that clinicians rely on.

Research background. The GAD-7 is a validated measure (Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams & Löwe, 2006) with excellent sensitivity and specificity for generalized anxiety disorder. Learn more from the NIMH or APA.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does my GAD-7 score mean?

Your total score (0-21) sorts you into one of four severity bands, from minimal to severe. A higher score means worry and physical anxiety symptoms have been showing up more often and more intensely over the past two weeks.

Is the GAD-7 a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder?

No. It's a validated screening tool, not a diagnostic interview. A clinician diagnoses generalized anxiety disorder by combining your score with a full clinical conversation and history.

How is the GAD-7 scored?

Each of the 7 items is rated 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day) and summed for a total between 0 and 21. There's no single item that overrides the total — the whole pattern matters.

What should I do if I scored in the moderate or severe range?

Use it as a prompt to talk to someone soon rather than push through alone. A therapist or primary care provider can start with your score, and grounding techniques can help in the moment.

How often should I retake the GAD-7?

Every 2-4 weeks works well for tracking whether a change — therapy, medication, exercise, sleep — is actually moving the needle, since the questions look back over the prior two weeks.

How is the GAD-7 different from the PHQ-9?

The GAD-7 screens specifically for anxiety symptoms like worry and restlessness, while the PHQ-9 screens for depression symptoms like low mood and loss of interest. Taking both gives a fuller picture, since the two often overlap.

Related Tests

Determining Level of Anxiety Test

A 7-item clinical screen measuring anxiety severity over the past two weeks.

Clinical screening — not a diagnosis. Answer based on the past two weeks unless stated otherwise.

Question 1 of 70%

Think back over the last couple of weeks — ordinary mornings, the commute, a meeting on the calendar, waiting for a message to come through. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems? Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge.

What This Assessment Measures

Frequently Asked Questions

What does my GAD-7 score mean?

Is the GAD-7 a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder?

No. It's a validated screening tool, not a diagnostic interview. A clinician diagnoses generalized anxiety disorder by combining your score with a full clinical conversation and history.

How is the GAD-7 scored?

Each of the 7 items is rated 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day) and summed for a total between 0 and 21. There's no single item that overrides the total — the whole pattern matters.

What should I do if I scored in the moderate or severe range?

Use it as a prompt to talk to someone soon rather than push through alone. A therapist or primary care provider can start with your score, and grounding techniques can help in the moment.

How often should I retake the GAD-7?

Every 2-4 weeks works well for tracking whether a change — therapy, medication, exercise, sleep — is actually moving the needle, since the questions look back over the prior two weeks.

How is the GAD-7 different from the PHQ-9?

Determining Level of Anxiety Test

Think back over the last couple of weeks — ordinary mornings, the commute, a meeting on the calendar, waiting for a message to come through. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems? Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge.

What This Assessment Measures

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Tests

Related Reading

Determining Level of Anxiety Test

Think back over the last couple of weeks — ordinary mornings, the commute, a meeting on the calendar, waiting for a message to come through. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems? Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge.

What This Assessment Measures

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Tests

Related Reading