Anxiety & Stress Level Screener (GAD-7 Based)
The GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale) is a validated self-report questionnaire used to screen for and measure the severity of generalized anxiety disorder. Rate how often you have been bothered by each problem over the last 2 weeks.
Rating Scale: 0 = Not at all | 1 = Several days | 2 = More than half the days | 3 = Nearly every day
Formula
GAD-7 Total Score = Q1 + Q2 + Q3 + Q4 + Q5 + Q6 + Q7
Each item is rated 0–3: 0 = Not at all, 1 = Several days, 2 = More than half the days, 3 = Nearly every day
Score Range: 0–21
| Score Range | Severity | Suggested Action |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 4 | Minimal | Monitor; self-care strategies |
| 5 – 9 | Mild | Watchful waiting; consider counseling |
| 10 – 14 | Moderate | Consult healthcare provider; consider CBT/medication |
| 15 – 21 | Severe | Seek professional help promptly |
Clinical Cut-Point: Score ≥ 10 indicates likely GAD (Sensitivity: 89%, Specificity: 82%).
Question 8 (functional difficulty) is not added to the GAD-7 total score but provides important context about functional impairment.
Assumptions & References
- The GAD-7 was developed and validated by Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JBW, Löwe B (2006). "A Brief Measure for Assessing Generalized Anxiety Disorder." Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(10):1092–1097.
- Validated for use in primary care settings as a screening tool for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
- The recommended clinical cut-point of ≥ 10 yields sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 82% for GAD diagnosis.
- The scale also has demonstrated validity for screening panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Scores reflect symptom frequency over the past 2 weeks only.
- Question 8 (functional difficulty) is a supplementary item from the original publication and is not included in the total score calculation.
- This calculator is intended for screening purposes only and does not replace a clinical diagnosis by a qualified mental health professional.
- The GAD-7 is freely available for use in clinical practice and research. © Pfizer Inc. (no permission required for non-commercial use).