GAD-7 Calculator

Category: Other Health
- March 30, 2025
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The GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) is a 7-item screening tool used to assess anxiety severity. Complete the questionnaire to receive your anxiety assessment score.

GAD-7 Questionnaire

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems?

Question Not at all Several days More than half the days Nearly every day
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

About the GAD-7

The GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) is a brief self-report scale developed to screen for generalized anxiety disorder and assess the severity of anxiety symptoms. It was developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Kurt Kroenke, Janet B.W. Williams, and Bernd Löwe.

Scoring and Interpretation

The GAD-7 consists of 7 items, each scored from 0 to 3, providing a total score range of 0-21. The scores are interpreted as follows:

  • 0-4: Minimal anxiety
  • 5-9: Mild anxiety
  • 10-14: Moderate anxiety
  • 15-21: Severe anxiety

A score of 10 or greater on the GAD-7 represents a reasonable cut point for identifying cases of GAD that may require further evaluation.

Clinical Utility

The GAD-7 has been validated as a screening tool for generalized anxiety disorder and as a severity measure for monitoring treatment response. It is widely used in clinical practice and research due to its brevity, ease of completion, and good psychometric properties.

Studies have shown that the GAD-7 has good sensitivity (89%) and specificity (82%) for generalized anxiety disorder at a cut-off score of 10.

Limitations

While the GAD-7 is a valid screening tool, it should not be used alone for diagnostic purposes. Clinical diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified healthcare provider.

The GAD-7 primarily screens for generalized anxiety disorder and may not adequately detect other anxiety disorders like panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, or specific phobias.

What Is the GAD-7 Calculator?

The GAD-7 Calculator is a tool used to measure the severity of generalized anxiety symptoms. Based on a short questionnaire, it provides a quick assessment of how often certain anxiety-related symptoms have affected you over the past two weeks.

This self-assessment can help you understand your anxiety levels and decide whether further evaluation may be helpful. Just like a BAC estimation gives insight into blood alcohol levels, the GAD-7 helps with mental wellness awareness.

How the GAD-7 Score Is Calculated

GAD-7 Total Score = Sum of Responses to 7 Questions

Each question is scored as follows:

  • Not at all = 0
  • Several days = 1
  • More than half the days = 2
  • Nearly every day = 3

Score range: 0–21

How to Use the Calculator

To get your anxiety score using the GAD-7 tool, follow these simple steps:

  • Answer each of the 7 questions based on how you've felt over the last two weeks.
  • Select the response that best matches how often you’ve experienced each symptom.
  • If any symptom was present, answer the follow-up question about how it has impacted your daily life.
  • Click “Calculate Score” to view your results, interpretation, and recommendations.

Understanding Your Results

After submitting your answers, you'll receive:

  • Total GAD-7 Score: Reflects the severity of anxiety symptoms
  • Severity Level: Minimal, Mild, Moderate, or Severe
  • Functional Impact: Measures how much these symptoms affect your daily functioning
  • Helpful Tips: Suggestions for managing or addressing your symptoms

Why Use the GAD-7 Calculator?

This tool can serve as a personal mental health check-in, similar to how a protein intake guide or macro calculator supports physical health. Here’s how it helps:

  • Provides quick insight into anxiety levels
  • Encourages early awareness and proactive care
  • Can be used repeatedly to monitor symptom changes over time
  • Supports informed conversations with healthcare providers

Like the TDEE Calculator that helps estimate daily calorie needs, this anxiety tool guides self-assessment without replacing professional advice.

FAQ

  • Is this a diagnostic tool?
    No. This tool helps identify symptom severity, but a formal diagnosis requires a healthcare provider.
  • Can I use it more than once?
    Yes. It’s useful for tracking how your symptoms change over time.
  • What if I score high?
    A moderate or severe score may indicate the need for further evaluation. Speak to a qualified mental health professional.
  • Is this confidential?
    This is a self-assessment. Your results are not stored or shared unless you choose to do so.
  • Does this tool cover all anxiety types?
    No. It focuses on generalized anxiety. Other conditions like social anxiety or panic disorder may require different assessments.

Conclusion

The GAD-7 Calculator is a simple way to assess and reflect on your mental well-being. Like tools that help determine your body type or calculate daily fat intake, it supports better self-awareness and decision-making. If your score suggests moderate to severe anxiety, reaching out to a mental health professional is a smart next step.