The GAD-7 (Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale) is a clinically validated self-report questionnaire developed by Spitzer et al. in 2006. It is used by GPs, psychiatrists, and mental health professionals worldwide to screen for generalised anxiety disorder and to monitor treatment progress. It measures the frequency of seven core anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks.

What do GAD-7 scores mean?

GAD-7 scores range from 0 to 21. Scores of 5, 10, and 15 represent cut-points for mild, moderate, and severe anxiety respectively. A score of 10 or above is commonly used as a threshold for probable generalised anxiety disorder warranting clinical attention. Scores below 5 suggest minimal anxiety symptoms.

Is the GAD-7 a diagnosis?

No. The GAD-7 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A high score indicates that anxiety symptoms are present at a clinically significant level and that professional evaluation is recommended. A formal diagnosis of Generalised Anxiety Disorder requires assessment by a qualified mental health professional.

How often should I take the GAD-7?

The GAD-7 asks about symptoms over the past two weeks. In clinical settings it is often administered at each appointment to track progress. For self-monitoring, retaking every 2 to 4 weeks gives a useful picture of how anxiety levels are changing over time.

Yukti Bodh · Psychology Suite

AnxietyScreen

The GAD-7 — the clinically validated scale used by doctors and mental health professionals worldwide

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Based on the GAD-7 scale · Spitzer et al., 2006 · Used in clinical settings worldwide. This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.

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Over the past two weeks, how often have you been bothered by...

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Important — This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis

The GAD-7 is a validated screening instrument. A high score does not mean you have Generalised Anxiety Disorder — it means anxiety symptoms are present at a level that warrants attention. Only a qualified mental health professional can provide a formal diagnosis. If your score is moderate or above, speaking with a GP or psychologist is the recommended next step. This tool is provided for informational and self-awareness purposes only.

Track Over Time

The GAD-7 is designed to track change over time. Retaking every 2–4 weeks gives a meaningful picture.

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Burnout Assessment

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Big Five Personality

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Pranayama Guide

Breathwork practices with strong evidence for anxiety reduction

About the GAD-7 Anxiety Scale

The GAD-7 (Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale) was developed by Robert Spitzer, Kurt Kroenke, Janet Williams, and Bernd Löwe, and published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2006. It has since become one of the most widely used anxiety screening instruments in primary care and clinical settings worldwide. The scale asks about the frequency of seven core anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks, with scores ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day) per item, producing a total score between 0 and 21.

Clinical cut-points and what they mean

Scores of 5, 10, and 15 represent the established cut-points for mild, moderate, and severe anxiety respectively. A score of 10 or above has a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 82% for generalised anxiety disorder in clinical populations, making it a reliable screening threshold. However, the GAD-7 is a screening tool — not a diagnostic instrument. A high score indicates that professional evaluation is recommended, not that a diagnosis has been made.

Related tools on Yukti Bodh

→PHQ-9 Depression Screen — anxiety and depression co-occur in over 50% of cases; screen for both for a complete picture
→Burnout Assessment — chronic work stress is one of the most common drivers of elevated GAD-7 scores in working adults
→Pranayama Guide — breathwork has strong clinical evidence for reducing anxiety symptoms across severity levels
→Big Five Personality Test — high Neuroticism in the Big Five is one of the strongest personality-level predictors of anxiety

Yukti Bodh · yuktilabs.in · Psychology · Self-Knowledge · Inner Science · This tool is for screening purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.