GAD-7 anxiety self-test
The GAD-7 is a 7-question screening tool for anxiety. It takes about a minute, your answers stay in your browser, and it cannot diagnose you.
Last updated 8 November 2026
What the GAD-7 measures
The GAD-7 asks about seven features of generalised anxiety: feeling on edge, being unable to stop worrying, worrying about many things, trouble relaxing, restlessness, irritability and a sense of dread. Each is scored from 0 to 3 for how often it has bothered you in the last two weeks, giving a total from 0 to 21. It was designed for primary care and is also used to follow progress during treatment.
What this test cannot do
The GAD-7 counts how much worry and tension you have noticed lately, and nothing more. It cannot name the anxiety condition behind them. Racing thoughts and a pounding heart can come from an overactive thyroid, too much coffee, withdrawal from alcohol, certain prescribed drugs, or low mood, so a high marker may have a physical or other cause. Panic attacks, phobias and obsessive-compulsive symptoms are only partly captured. A clinician who listens to your story and examines you can say what fits.
Your GAD-7 answers stay in this browser. They leave it only if you choose, after seeing your result, to send it to our team with your contact details. Otherwise they disappear when you close the page.
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About the GAD-7
The GAD-7 was developed by Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams and Lowe and published in 2006, to give clinicians a short way to screen for generalised anxiety and to follow it over time. Its seven questions ask about nervousness, uncontrollable worry, restlessness, irritability and dread. Though built for generalised anxiety, it also picks up panic and social anxiety to some extent, so a higher marker does not tell you which type of anxiety you may have.
How to read your score
The GAD-7 gives a total from 0 to 21, and a higher total means more of the problem described in the questions. This page shows your total and one main marker. The detail that makes a score meaningful, such as which answers drove it, belongs in a conversation with our team.
| Score | Main marker |
|---|---|
| 0-4 | Minimal |
| 5-9 | Mild |
| 10-14 | Moderate |
| 15-21 | Severe |
What to do next
The GAD-7 looks at worry and tension over the past two weeks. It cannot show whether the cause is a long-standing anxiety disorder, a medical problem such as an overactive thyroid, stress that will pass, or something else. To make sense of your marker, you are welcome to reach out to our team, who can arrange a free pre-consultation call with a psychiatrist or psychologist. If you are in distress or fear for your safety at any point, call 112 or Tele-MANAS on 14416.
Related reading and care
- Generalised anxiety disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- Hindi-speaking clinicians for anxiety
- Kannada-speaking clinicians for anxiety
- Malayalam-speaking clinicians for anxiety
- Helplines and resources in India
- All self-tests
The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were developed by Drs Robert Spitzer, Janet Williams, Kurt Kroenke and colleagues and are free to use.
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Common questions
Is the GAD-7 only for generalised anxiety?
It was built for generalised anxiety but also picks up other anxiety problems, such as panic and social anxiety. It will not tell you which one you have.
What score suggests I should see someone?
Ten or more is commonly used as the point at which further assessment is advised. You can seek help at any score if anxiety affects your life.
Can anxiety be a physical problem?
Sometimes. Thyroid problems, heart rhythm problems, some medicines, caffeine and alcohol can cause anxiety-like symptoms. A clinician can check.
Why does the result show only a score and a marker?
A questionnaire score cannot tell you what is going on without a conversation. To get the full picture, please reach out to our team, who can talk it through with you.
Will Mindly see my answers?
No. The questions are scored in your browser and nothing is sent, saved or tracked.
References
Mindly Health is not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital. For free support at any hour, call Tele-MANAS on 14416.