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GAD-7 Score (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment)

Clinical tool validated for screening and measuring the severity of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) according to DSM criteria.

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems?
1 Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge
Evaluates the subjective feeling of being "keyed up" or the inability to find spontaneous physical or mental calm.
2 Not being able to stop or control worrying
Targets intrusive thoughts or continuous anxious ruminations that are difficult to cease voluntarily.
3 Worrying too much about different things
Evaluates disproportionate apprehension regarding health, finances, family, or professional obligations (hypervigilance).
4 Trouble relaxing
Persistent muscle tension and the inability to find rest even in an environment perceived as calm and safe.
5 Being so restless that it is hard to sit still
Psychomotor agitation, a constant need to move, pacing, or inability to remain still (mild akathisia).
6 Becoming easily annoyed or irritable
Evaluates reduced tolerance to frustration, excessive reactions, or anger toward minor environmental stimuli.
7 Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen
A sense of imminent danger or apprehension of a catastrophe without an objective foundation (anticipatory anxiety).

The GAD-7 Score: Clinical Gold Standard for Anxiety Screening

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) is an internationally validated clinical self-report instrument. Originally developed by Spitzer, Kroenke, and colleagues in 2006, it is now the primary tool in primary care and psychiatry for screening, diagnosis, and assessing the severity of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Its structure aligns directly with DSM-IV and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, providing clinicians with an objective and quantifiable measure of anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks.

Indications and Clinical Utility

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a prevalent pathology, often underdiagnosed because patients frequently present with somatic complaints. The assessment systematically covers three spheres:

  • Emotional Sphere: Persistent nervousness and the inability to relax physically or mentally.
  • Cognitive and Motor Sphere: Difficulty controlling pervasive worries and psychomotor agitation.
  • Anticipatory Sphere: Increased irritability and a constant fear of imminent disaster without clinical justification.

Interpretation Grid and Recommendations

Total Score Anxiety Severity Clinical Recommendation
0 - 4 Minimal anxiety No specific treatment required. Reassurance.
5 - 9 Mild anxiety Clinical monitoring and psychological support.
10 - 14 Moderate anxiety Consider Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or pharmacotherapy.
15 - 21 Severe anxiety Active pharmacological treatment (e.g., SSRIs) is highly recommended.
Written by : Dr. NEZZAR NARIMANE (General Surgeon)
Published on : 11-04-2026
Last updated :

References:

1. Spitzer RL, et al. A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Arch Intern Med. 2006. [JAMA Network]
2. Kroenke K, et al. Anxiety disorders in primary care: prevalence, impairment, comorbidity, and detection. Ann Intern Med. 2007. [Ann Intern Med]

Rate the usefulness of this clinical tool:

🧪 Clinical Transparency: This analysis is performed by MIDEX Smart AI, utilizing PubMed and NIH (RxNav) global databases.
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