How much does anxiety affect you right now?

The GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale) was developed by Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams, and Löwe and published in 2006. It was designed for use in primary care — physicians and psychologists use it to detect generalized anxiety in a quick and standardized way.

It evaluates the most common symptoms of generalized anxiety during the last two weeks: restlessness, difficulty relaxing, uncontrolled worry, irritability. It does not measure panic attacks or specific phobias — for those there are other scales.

Important limitations: the score can be affected by factors such as lack of sleep, situational stress, or medical conditions. A high score is a signal to explore further, not a conclusion. It also does not distinguish between generalized anxiety and other types of anxiety.

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GAD-7 Test — Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale

Developed by Spitzer et al. (2006), it is the most widely used screening tool in primary care for generalized anxiety. Seven questions, less than 3 minutes.

Validated by: Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams & Löwe (2006)

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
References

Frequently asked questions

Is the GAD-7 an official diagnosis?

No. The GAD-7 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A high score indicates that a professional evaluation is worth it, but only a mental health professional can establish a diagnosis.

How often should I take the test?

There is no fixed frequency. Some use it monthly to monitor changes. If you take it too often, it can feed the anxiety monitoring cycle rather than help.

Are my results stored?

No. The test runs entirely in your browser.

What do I do if my score is high?

The first step is not to alarm yourself. A high score does not mean something is very wrong — it means the symptoms are present frequently enough to deserve attention. Talking to your primary care doctor or a psychologist is the most direct path.