GAD-7
Anxiety Screener
Updated: 1/7/2026
1. What the GAD-7 is (and what it isn’t)
The GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) is a short, evidence-based screening questionnaire that helps you estimate how much anxiety has been showing up in your life over the past two weeks. It’s widely used in healthcare settings because it’s quick, clear, and gives a helpful snapshot of symptom severity.
It’s not a diagnosis - and it doesn’t tell the whole story - but it can give you a useful starting point for understanding patterns like persistent worry, restlessness, tension, irritability, and feeling “on edge.”
2. Who is the GAD-7 for?
The GAD-7 is designed for adolescents and adults who want to check in on anxiety symptoms, including people who:
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feel stuck in a loop of worry or “what ifs”
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notice physical anxiety (tight chest, muscle tension, stomach issues, racing thoughts)
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are wondering whether anxiety might be playing a bigger role than they realized
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are tracking symptoms over time (for example, during therapy, medication changes, or stressful seasons)​
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If you’re neurodivergent, the GAD-7 is still useful, but the results should be interpreted in this context. Anxiety can overlap with sensory overload, burnout, masking, perfectionism, trauma responses, or executive function strain, and those nuances matter.
3. What to expect when taking the GAD-7
Most people finish the GAD-7 in 2–3 minutes.​
You’ll respond to 7 statements about anxiety symptoms and choose how often each has bothered you in the last two weeks:
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Not at all
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Several days
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More than half the days
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Nearly every day​
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There’s also a final question asking how much these symptoms have affected your day-to-day life - work, school, relationships, home responsibilities, or simply getting through the day. That piece matters because distress and impairment often tell us as much as the number itself.
4. Understanding your score
Each of the 7 items is scored from 0 to 3, then added up for a total score between 0 and 21.
Score ranges (general guide):
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0–4: Minimal anxiety
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5–9: Mild anxiety
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10–14: Moderate anxiety
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15–21: Severe anxiety
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A score of 10 or higher is often used as a signal that anxiety may be clinically significant and worth discussing with a qualified professional - especially if the last “difficulty” question indicates your symptoms are disrupting your life.
A quick note: your lived experience matters more than a number. Some people score lower but feel deeply impacted (especially high-masking folks). Others score higher during a temporary stress surge. The score is a tool - not a verdict.
5. Next steps
If your score is mild (5–9)
You might consider:
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Tracking your score weekly for a few weeks
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Noticing patterns (sleep, work stress, sensory overload, caffeine, conflict, deadlines)
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Experimenting with small supports: predictable routines, paced breathing, movement, reducing “always-on” inputs, and building recovery time
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If your score is moderate or higher (10+)
It may be time to add more structured support:
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Talk with a therapist or medical provider
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Consider therapy that targets anxiety directly (CBT-based approaches, skills work, and other evidence-informed options)
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Evaluate whether anxiety is intertwined with burnout, trauma, OCD, ADHD, autism-related stress, or chronic overwhelm - because treatment works best when it matches the real driver
6. Additional Resources
If you are interested in further support, learn more about the expertise available here at ScienceWorks!
Our unique care model spans three essential domains to function as a “one-stop-shop” for mental health.
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Assessments: Understand yourself and your treatment better with assessments for ADHD, autism, and general diagnostics. Our custom packages are efficient and affordable.
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Therapy: Dynamic, evidence-based treatments for a wide range of conditions – get an individualized treatment plan with targeted therapies adapted for your brain and your objectives to support the whole person.
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Coaching: Understand your neurotype and enhance treatment outcomes by turning therapeutic concepts into everyday skills to maximize their benefits.
Note: Screeners cannot be used to diagnose or treat any mental health condition - nor can they be used to replace dedicated care from a qualified professional. They can be a helpful tool when searching for, or working with, a professional. If you have questions about applicability, please contact us!