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Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale: A validated screening tool for anxiety severity
Select one answer for each question
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's hard to sit still
6. Becoming easily annoyed or irritable
7. Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen
If you checked off any problems, how difficult have these problems made it for you to do your work, take care of things at home, or get along with other people?
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Screen for generalized anxiety disorder and monitor severity |
| Validation | Validated across multiple populations and settings |
| Sensitivity | 89% for GAD at cutoff of 10 |
| Specificity | 82% for GAD at cutoff of 10 |
| Other Uses | Also screens for panic, social anxiety, and PTSD |
Persistent, excessive worry about many things that is difficult to control
Recurrent unexpected panic attacks with fear of having more
Intense fear of social situations and being judged by others
Intense fear of specific objects or situations (heights, animals, etc.)
Gold standard treatment. Helps identify and change thought patterns that cause anxiety.
The GAD-7 is a 7-item questionnaire developed to screen for generalized anxiety disorder. It is widely used in clinical settings and has been validated as a reliable measure of anxiety severity.
Some anxiety is normal and even helpful - it can motivate us and keep us safe. Anxiety becomes a problem when it is excessive, persistent, difficult to control, and interferes with daily life.
Normal worry is usually short-lived and related to specific situations. Anxiety disorders involve persistent, excessive worry that is difficult to control and causes significant distress or impairment.
While anxiety may not be completely "cured," it is highly treatable. Many people achieve significant improvement or complete remission of symptoms with appropriate treatment.
Most people see improvement within 8-12 weeks of starting treatment. CBT typically involves 12-16 sessions. Medications may take 4-6 weeks to show full effect.
No. The GAD-7 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A high score indicates you should seek evaluation from a healthcare provider who can make a proper diagnosis.
If anxiety is affecting your daily life, help is available: