• Anxiety

How Does the GAD-7 Work?

Published: July 30, 2025
Updated: July 30, 2025
5 mins

Most people experience anxiety at one point or another from going through traumatic events or managing stressful situations in their lives. Having anxiety can look like feeling less productive than you usually would or feeling consistently more irritable, worried, and tired. However, it can be difficult to know if what you’re feeling is something that a healthcare provider can help you treat.

Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are not always consistent and may change over time. Because of the inconsistency of symptoms and the fact that so many people lack access to or the financial resources to get adequate mental healthcare, anxiety remains one of the most underdiagnosed mental health conditions.

When it comes to diagnosing an anxiety disorder, it’s important to be transparent with your healthcare provider. A big part of diagnosing anxiety disorder is a healthcare provider thoroughly understanding the emotional and mental toll a person is under.

Typically, a healthcare provider will use diagnostic tools like the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2 (GAD-2) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) to diagnose anxiety disorders.

What is the GAD-7?

Healthcare providers often describe the GAD-7 as a seven-point scale diagnostic assessment for anxiety disorders. The GAD-7 is one of the most common diagnostic tests used to help healthcare providers better diagnose and treat generalized anxiety disorder in those aged 11 and older. The GAD-7 can also help diagnose other anxiety disorders like social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and PTSD. 

Initially, the GAD-7 had thirteen questions before being cut down to seven due to recommendations from mental healthcare providers. Still, the GAD-2 is a viable option for a shorter test that can identify the two main problems often associated with GAD.

Healthcare providers use different scales, like the Preschool Anxiety Scale (PAS) or Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), for children under the age of 11.

Knowledge of the following common symptoms of anxiety disorders influenced the format of the questions you see in the GAD-7:

• Feeling more irritable

• Increased fatigue

• Muscle soreness

• Trouble sleeping

• Restlessness

• Feeling a constant sense of danger or panic

Questions on the GAD-7 are also strongly influenced by the criteria for the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). The following table lists the seven questions included in the GAD-7 scale:

One of the benefits of the GAD-7 is how easy it is to use in a healthcare setting. Typically, the patient fills out the GAD-7 themselves and shares their results with a healthcare provider. The GAD-7 is administered in both in-person and virtual healthcare settings.

How is the GAD-7 Scored?

When filling out the GAD, you have four response options. For each question, you can choose a response from zero to three based on which answer most closely aligns with your experience. A healthcare provider comes up with a GAD score by adding up your total points based on your answer to each of the seven questions.

How to Interpret GAD-7 Results

Healthcare providers break down GAD results into the following four major categories:

Those with a score of 10 or higher are most likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. If you score higher than 10 on the GAD-7, a healthcare provider may recommend further assessment.

Sensitivity and specificity also play a role in the accuracy of GAD results. Higher sensitivity correlates with a lower score cut-off, but can also mean it's more difficult to specify which anxiety disorder a person has using their GAD score. Still, both the GAD-7 and GAD-2 are effective in diagnosing moderate to severe anxiety disorders.

What Happens After Completing the GAD-7?

Once you have completed the GAD-7, a licensed healthcare provider will determine next steps based on your results. Going forward, a healthcare provider may recommend taking more tests or begin developing a treatment plan for you based on your results.

Treatment plans for anxiety disorders may vary depending on the severity of the symptoms you’re experiencing. A treatment plan for anxiety may include psychotherapy (talk therapy) options like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and prescription medications if clinically appropriate.

Treatment for GAD may include the following medications:

• Escitalopram (Lexapro)

• Sertraline (Zoloft)

• Paroxetine (Paxil)

• Fluoxetine (Prozac)

• Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

• Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

• Buspirone (Buspar)

In some cases, a healthcare provider may also suggest additional tips for managing stress and coping with anxiety. Practicing mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, and journaling are a few lifestyle habits you can adopt to help manage stress.

Over time, a healthcare provider may adjust your treatment plan slightly after observing how you respond to the initial treatment. They may also modify treatment if you experience side effects from certain medications in your treatment plan.

What is the Difference Between Self-Assessment and Professional Evaluation?

The GAD-7 is an accessible form of self-assessment for anxiety disorders. It’s an especially resourceful tool for virtual care. A virtual healthcare provider can help you explore all potential sources of symptoms in addition to mental health conditions. Speaking with a healthcare provider sooner rather than later can help prevent symptoms from worsening over time.

Those with certain health conditions, like thyroid problems and arrhythmia, have an increased risk of anxiety disorders. A healthcare professional may conduct the following additional tests to rule out other potential causes of symptoms:

• Thyroid function tests (checks thyroid function)

• Echocardiography (heart ultrasound)

• Toxicology screening (detects the presence of drugs)

Be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you have already been diagnosed with any other health conditions before receiving treatment for an anxiety disorder.

Where Can I Learn More About Anxiety Treatment After Taking the GAD-7?

Taking the GAD-7 is one of the first steps towards finding relief from mental health symptoms that may get in the way of your everyday life. LifeMD is a virtual platform here to support your mental health with personalized and judgment-free services based on your mental health diagnosis.

The LifeMD Mental Health Program is a flexible virtual care service offering treatment for general anxiety disorders and quality one-on-one support to help you live a healthier, more stress-free life. LifeMD also offers prescription anxiety medication for those who qualify.

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