How much is anxiety affecting 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 — doctors and psychologists use it to quickly and consistently screen for generalized anxiety disorder.
It assesses the most common symptoms of generalized anxiety over the past two weeks: restlessness, trouble relaxing, uncontrollable worrying, irritability. It doesn't measure panic attacks or specific phobias — those require other scales.
Important limitations: scores can be affected by sleep deprivation, situational stress, or medical conditions. A high result is a signal to explore further, not a conclusion. It also doesn't distinguish between generalized anxiety and other anxiety types.
GAD-7 — Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale
Developed by Spitzer et al. (2006), the GAD-7 is the most widely used screening tool for generalized anxiety disorder in primary care. Seven questions, under 3 minutes.
Validated by: Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams & Löwe (2006)
References
Frequently asked questions
Is the GAD-7 an official diagnosis?
No. The GAD-7 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. Only a mental health professional can establish a diagnosis.
How often should I take the test?
There's no fixed frequency. Some people use it monthly to track changes. Taking it very often can feed the anxious monitoring cycle.
Are my results stored?
No. The test runs entirely in your browser. We don't store any data.
What do I do if my score is high?
First: don't panic. A high score means symptoms are frequent enough to deserve attention. Talking with your GP or a psychologist is the most direct path.