Introduction:
The Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale screens how frequently seven common anxiety symptoms troubled you during the previous fortnight. Each symptom question offers four frequency choices, producing a compact picture of recent emotional strain without demanding clinical expertise or specialised terminology.
Your selections convert to points — 0 to 3 per item. Adding these points yields a total between 0 and 21, which research links to four severity bands that suggest minimal, mild, moderate, or severe anxiety. A separate difficulty rating records daily-life impact but does not alter the total.
This self-check helps you track personal wellbeing trends and decide whether to pursue further support. It is not a crisis resource or substitute for professional care. This assessment cannot diagnose anxiety; consult a qualified health-care professional for concerns.
Technical Details:
The tool assigns numeric values to categorical answers, sums the first seven items, and displays the result on a colour-banded interactive gauge updated by a reactive interface.
Item weights follow the original validation study; equal weighting keeps scoring transparent and easy to audit.
- Seven core items scored 0–3
- Difficulty item stored separately
- Total score range 0–21
- Severity bands: 0–4, 5–9, 10–14, 15–21
| Band | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Minimal | Little or no anxiety-related impairment |
| Mild | Low-level symptoms worth monitoring |
| Moderate | Likely benefit from talking therapies |
| Severe | Professional evaluation strongly advised |
All processing runs locally in your browser; no answers are transmitted or stored server-side.
Calculations & Scoring:
The total score is the simple sum of your seven symptom ratings.
These numbers represent each item’s frequency rating.
Partial sum after item 3.
Final total after item 7.
Final Result
A total of 10 falls in the moderate severity band.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Follow these steps to complete and review the assessment.
- Click the Start Assessment button.
- Select a frequency option (0–3) for each of the first seven items.
- Choose a difficulty level under “how difficult” to finish.
- Watch the progress bar reach 100 % and the interactive gauge appear.
- Read your score badge and severity band.
- Scroll to see the answered-questions table for easy printing.
- Copy the URL to save or share your results (answers stay local).
FAQ:
Common questions about using and interpreting the GAD-7 tool.
What does my score mean?
A higher number indicates more frequent anxiety symptoms. Refer to the severity bands for general guidance and consider seeking professional advice if you score moderate or severe.
Is the difficulty item scored?
No. The eighth question records how anxiety affects daily life to give context but does not change the total score.
Is my data stored?
Your answers never leave your device. The tool encodes them in the page URL only for optional self-sharing; no server receives or saves the information.
Can I retake the test?
Yes. Reload the page or press the reset button in your browser to clear previous answers and start fresh.
Should I rely solely on this result?
No. The GAD-7 is a screening aid, not a diagnostic instrument. Use it to start conversations with health-care professionals rather than replace them.
Troubleshooting:
Resolve common issues quickly with these tips.
Progress bar stuck – Verify every symptom question (1-7) has exactly one checked radio button.
Difficulty question hidden – Answer all seven symptom questions first; the eighth appears automatically.
Score shows “NaN” – Clear the URL parameters and retake the test; malformed codes can corrupt calculations.
Dark-mode colours unreadable – Disable forced high-contrast settings or switch to the system light theme.
Advanced Tips:
Enhance accuracy and track trends with these suggestions.
- Retake the assessment on a consistent weekday to reduce situational bias.
- Save each result URL in a private document to build a personal timeline.
- Combine the score with sleep or exercise logs for richer insights.
- Discuss patterns, not single scores, with a health-care provider.
- Print the answers table before appointments to streamline conversations.
Glossary:
Key terms used throughout the assessment.
- GAD-7
- Seven-item questionnaire validated for anxiety screening.
- Severity Band
- Category grouping total scores into four levels.
- Difficulty Item
- Self-rated impact of symptoms on daily tasks.
- Screening Tool
- First-line instrument identifying potential issues.
- Interactive Gauge
- Dynamic chart showing your total score visually.