The Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) questionnaire is a widely used tool for anxiety diagnosis. This self-administered questionnaire serves as an effective screening instrument and a reliable measure of the severity of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). It is designed to be easy for patients to understand and quick for healthcare professionals to utilize.
The GAD-7 Questionnaire
To assess your anxiety levels over the last two weeks, please consider how often you have been bothered by the following issues:
- Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge
- Not being able to stop or control worrying
- Worrying too much about different things
- Trouble relaxing
- Being so restless it is hard to sit still
- Becoming easily annoyed or irritable
- Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen
For each question, you will select one of four responses: “Not at all,” “Several days,” “More than half the days,” or “Nearly every day.” Each response corresponds to a score (0 to 3 respectively), which are then added together to calculate your total GAD-7 score.
Interpreting Your GAD-7 Score
The total score from the GAD-7 questionnaire falls into different ranges that indicate the level of anxiety severity:
- 0-4: No anxiety – Your responses suggest minimal to no anxiety symptoms.
- 5-9: Mild anxiety – You may be experiencing mild anxiety, which could be impacting your daily life to a small degree.
- 10-14: Moderate anxiety – This range indicates moderate anxiety levels that are likely interfering with your daily activities and well-being.
- 15-21: Severe anxiety – Scores in this range suggest severe anxiety, which can significantly impair your ability to function in daily life and highlights the need for further evaluation and support.
A score of 10 or greater is often used as a cut-off point, suggesting that further assessment by a healthcare professional is recommended to explore potential anxiety disorders in more detail. The GAD-7 is not only effective for GAD but also shows good sensitivity and specificity for screening other anxiety disorders like panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Developed and Validated for Reliable Anxiety Screening
The GAD-7 was developed by Drs. Spitzer, Williams, and Kroenke, and its effectiveness has been widely studied. Research has demonstrated that the GAD-7 is a reliable and valid tool for anxiety diagnosis and severity measurement. Initially copyrighted by Pfizer, the GAD-7 is now freely available for use without restriction, making it accessible for widespread use in clinical practice and research. This accessibility underscores its value as a public health tool for anxiety diagnosis and management.
It is important to remember that while the GAD-7 questionnaire is a helpful screening tool, it is not a substitute for a comprehensive clinical evaluation. If you score high on this questionnaire, it is recommended to discuss your results with a healthcare provider for a thorough assessment and to determine the most appropriate course of action for your mental health.
