Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7

Scale Overview & Construct

7-item anxiety screening tool measuring symptom severity over the past 2 weeks. Scores range from 0 to 21.

7-Item Scale Likert Self-Report Dimensional Breakdown Server-Side Validated

Purpose & Measurement Objectives

7-item anxiety screening tool measuring symptom severity over the past 2 weeks. Scores range from 0 to 21. Based on your answers to its 7 items, you'll get a single overall score showing how strongly this pattern applies to you right now. Your result puts a number and a pattern to something you may have only sensed in a general way before.

Instrument Specifications

Target Population

Teachers, Educators & Faculty

Administration Format

Self-Administered

Intended Domain / Purpose

Research & Empirical Study

Recommended Age Bracket

Adults (18+ yrs)

Duration & Pacing

3 Minutes (Self-Paced)

Access License

Open Creative Commons

Scientific Documentation & Psychometric Rigor

Developer / Author

Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B., & Löwe, B.

Development Year

2006

Theoretical Construct & Framework Brief screening and severity measure for generalized anxiety disorder symptoms over the past two weeks.

Internal Consistency & Reliability

Original validation study reported high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .92).

Construct & Criterion Validity

Validated against structured psychiatric interviews in primary care samples; one of the most widely used anxiety screening tools internationally.

Academic Citations

Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B., & Löwe, B. (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(10), 1092-1097.

Academic Citation & Instrument Provenance

When referencing this instrument in research, academic theses, or clinical institutional audits, please cite the original author publication:

License: Pfizer released all PHQ and GAD-7 screeners without copyright restriction (https://www.phqscreeners.com/); this OpenScales digital implementation is licensed CC BY 4.0. Citation: Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B., & 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. This is not a diagnostic tool. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, please contact a licensed mental health professional or a crisis helpline in your country immediately.

Governance, Boundaries & Ethical Use

Construct Boundaries & Interpretive Limitations

Imported from the OpenScales open item-bank project. This specific digital implementation has not been independently clinically validated by PsiQ — scores are for self-reflection, research, and educational purposes only, and are not a diagnosis.

License: Pfizer released all PHQ and GAD-7 screeners without copyright restriction (https://www.phqscreeners.com/); this OpenScales digital implementation is licensed CC BY 4.0. Citation: Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B., & 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. This is not a diagnostic tool. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, please contact a licensed mental health professional or a crisis helpline in your country immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7?

7-item anxiety screening tool measuring symptom severity over the past 2 weeks. Scores range from 0 to 21.

How long does the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 take?

It takes about 3 minutes to answer all 7 questions. You can go at your own pace.

Is this test free, and is it available in Hindi?

Yes, it is free with a PsiQ account. The questions and answer options are available in English, Hindi and Hinglish.

Can this test diagnose a condition?

No. Online self-report scales are for self-reflection, education and research, not diagnosis. If you are worried about your mental health, please speak to a qualified mental-health professional.