GAD-7
The 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) is a brief self-report measure of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The measure has good reliability, as well as criterion, construct, factorial, and procedural validity.
Scores of 5, 10, and 15 are taken as the cut off points for mild, moderate, and severe anxiety, respectively. When used as a screening tool, further evaluation is recommended when the score is 10 or greater.
Using the threshold score of 10, the GAD-7 has a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 82% for generalized anxiety disorder. It is moderately good at screening three other common anxiety disorders – panic disorder (sensitivity 74%, specificity 81%), social anxiety disorder (sensitivity 72%, specificity 80%), and post-traumatic stress disorder (sensitivity 66%, specificity 81%).
