What does GAD-7 stand for?

GAD-7 stands for Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale. It was developed by Spitzer et al. and is one of the most widely used brief anxiety screeners in clinical and research settings.

What are the score ranges on GAD-7?

Scores range from 0-21. Generally: 0-4 (minimal anxiety), 5-9 (mild), 10-14 (moderate), 15-21 (severe). However, a clinician should always interpret your results.

Is GAD-7 validated across different cultures?

Yes, GAD-7 has been translated and validated in multiple languages and cultural settings, though interpretation may vary by context.

Scienceanxiety-screener depression-screener neurodivergence-profile

GAD-7 Test Explained: Screening for Generalized Anxiety

Peter Kolomiets

|March 16, 2026|Updated Apr 13, 2026|7 min

GAD-7 Test Explained: Screening for Generalized Anxiety

Ready to discover your Anxiety Screener?

Take the free test

References

Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B. W., & Löwe, B. (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7
Kertz, S. J., Bigda-Peyton, J. S., & Bjorgvinsson, T. (2013). Validity of the GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) among college students
Löwe, B., Decker, O., Müller, S., et al. (2008). The GAD-7 scale in the general population