Anxiety Screening — GP-reviewed
GAD-7 Generalised Anxiety
Disorder Scale
The gold standard anxiety screening tool used in Australian general practice and globally. 7 questions, under 2 minutes. Results stay on your device — nothing is sent anywhere.
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Free forever
Printable for your GP
Spitzer et al. 2006
What is the GAD-7?
The Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) was developed by Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams and Löwe (2006) at Columbia University. It is the most widely used and validated brief anxiety screening instrument in primary care worldwide, and is used routinely in Australian general practice, mental health services, and research.
The GAD-7 measures the frequency of anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks, directly corresponding to DSM-5 criteria for generalised anxiety disorder. It has strong evidence for detecting not only GAD but also panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
GAD-7 Score Interpretation
0–4: Minimal
No significant anxiety symptoms. Normal variation in mood and worry.
5–9: Mild
Mild anxiety. Monitor, consider lifestyle strategies and stress management.
10–14: Moderate
Moderate anxiety. Clinical assessment recommended. Discuss with your GP.
15–21: Severe
Severe anxiety. Active treatment is strongly indicated. See your GP soon.
GAD-7 vs DASS-21 Anxiety Subscale
Both tools measure anxiety, but they differ in focus and use. The GAD-7 focuses specifically on generalised anxiety disorder symptoms and is better for identifying whether anxiety is the primary concern. The DASS-21 measures anxiety alongside depression and stress, making it more useful when you want a broader picture. Many GPs use both together — the GAD-7 for anxiety-specific tracking and PHQ-9 for depression, or the DASS-21 for an overall snapshot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What score indicates I should see a GP?
A score of 10 or above is the most widely used clinical cut-off for moderate-to-severe GAD in primary care. Most clinical guidelines recommend formal assessment at this level. A score of 5–9 (mild) is worth mentioning at your next routine appointment.
Do my results get sent anywhere?
No. Results are calculated locally in your browser and never sent anywhere. Nothing you enter is stored or tracked. This page uses Google Analytics to count page visits only.
Can I use GAD-7 alongside PHQ-9?
Yes — this is exactly how they are designed to be used. The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were developed by the same research group as a complementary pair. Using both gives you a picture of both depression and anxiety severity, which is very useful to bring to a GP appointment. Both tools together take about 4 minutes.
What is the Mental Health Treatment Plan?
A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from your GP gives you access to up to 10 subsidised psychology sessions per year under Medicare (the Better Access initiative). Bringing your GAD-7 score to your GP makes the appointment more productive and helps your GP understand your symptoms quickly. See our
MHTP guide for everything you need to know.
What is the difference between generalised anxiety and a panic disorder?
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) involves persistent, excessive worry about many different things over an extended period. Panic disorder involves sudden, intense episodes of fear (panic attacks) with physical symptoms. The GAD-7 primarily screens for GAD but also has reasonable sensitivity for panic disorder — a score of 8+ on the GAD-7 can indicate both. Your GP can differentiate between these with a clinical assessment.
Sources & References
- Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JB, Löwe B. (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(10), 1092–1097. doi:10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092
- Löwe B, Decker O, Müller S, et al. (2008). Validation and standardization of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7) in the general population. Medical Care, 46(3), 266–274. doi:10.1097/MLR.0b013e318160d093
- Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. (2023). RACGP guidelines for preventive activities in general practice, 10th edition. racgp.org.au
- GAD-7 is in the public domain. Developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke and Bernd Löwe.
- Content reviewed for clinical accuracy. Digital Treasure Pty Ltd, 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: The GAD-7 tool on this page is for general educational and screening purposes only. It is not a diagnostic instrument. If you are in crisis, call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 (both 24/7). In an emergency, call 000.