GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener)
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The GAD-7 is a 7-item self-report questionnaire used to screen for and assess the severity of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It is widely used in primary care and behavioral health settings and is suitable for both initial assessment and symptom monitoring.
Recommended Frequency: Every 2–4 weeks during active treatment, or as clinically indicated for routine anxiety screening or follow-up.
About the GAD-7
Developed by Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams, and Löwe, the GAD-7 is based on the DSM diagnostic criteria for generalized anxiety disorder. It provides a fast, reliable way to evaluate symptom frequency over the past two weeks and is commonly used in both clinical and research contexts.
Psychometric Properties
The GAD-7 has demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.92) and strong convergent validity with other anxiety measures. In primary care validation studies, it showed:
- Sensitivity: 89%
- Specificity: 82% (for GAD diagnosis at cutoff score ≥10)
The tool has also been shown to detect symptoms of other anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and PTSD.
Source: Spitzer et al., 2006
The Scale
Each of the 7 items assesses how often the respondent has been bothered by key anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks. Responses are scored on a 4-point scale:
- “Not at all” (0)
- “Several days” (1)
- “More than half the days” (2)
- “Nearly every day” (3)
An optional 8th item measures functional impairment but is not included in the total score.
Score Range
Total scores range from 0 to 21 and are typically interpreted as:
- 0–4: Minimal anxiety
- 5–9: Mild
- 10–14: Moderate
- 15–21: Severe
A score of 10 or higher is often used as a threshold for identifying clinically significant anxiety.
Copyright
© Pfizer Inc. The GAD-7 was developed for use in clinical care and is distributed in the public domain for non-commercial use.
References
- Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B. W., & Löwe, B. (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: The GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(10), 1092–1097. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092
Disclaimer
This summary is intended for informational purposes only. HiBoop does not provide medical advice or interpret individual scores. Clinical interpretation should be conducted by a qualified health professional.
Permissions
The GAD-7 is in the public domain and may be used, reproduced, and distributed for non-commercial clinical and research purposes without restriction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can it be administered remotely?
Yes. HiBoop supports secure remote delivery, automated scoring, and integrated charting.
What should I do after a high GAD-7 score?
Explore context, duration, triggers, and impairment. Offer therapeutic support or a referral depending on severity and client preference.
How often should I administer it?
Every 2–4 weeks is ideal during active treatment to monitor progress or emerging issues.
Can GAD-7 detect panic attacks or social anxiety?
Partially—it flags shared symptoms but doesn’t assess specific features. Use disorder-specific tools if needed.
What if my client scores low but reports significant worry?
Explore further. Some clients underreport or have high-functioning anxiety that’s still distressing.
Can the GAD-7 diagnose generalized anxiety disorder?
No. It is a screening tool. A diagnosis requires clinical judgment and assessment of symptom duration, severity, and functional impact.