If you’re considering treatment for anxiety, it’s useful to first ascertain the level of anxiety you are experiencing. This will help you to determine the type and frequency of treatment that will be most effective for your particular needs.

Thankfully, you don’t have to wait weeks for a GP appointment to find your answer. There are a number of research-supported self-assessment tests for conditions like anxiety and depression. One of the most famous of these tests is the GAD-7.

What is GAD-7?

GAD-7 is a short questionnaire, created by Robert Spitzer et al, designed to screen for generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). It remains the most common self-report questionnaire for anxiety. For those looking for an assessment of their anxiety level, this test is a great starting point. Indeed, it is recognised across the globe by various medical authorities, including the NHS.

We're pleased to say that ManageMinds has created our very own version of GAD-7, which you can access in the box below. The test is made up of 7 questions, each of which ask you to reflect on your mental state over the past 2 weeks. It’s very easy to use and takes less than 5 minutes to complete.

At the end of the test, you will be given an anxiety score between 0 and 21. Your score corresponds to an anxiety level. Our questionnaire uses 4 markers when assessing anxiety levels:

• Minimal 0-4
• Mild 5-9
• Moderate 10-14
• Severe 15+

For more background information on the test, you can check out our article on the reliability of GAD-7.

I've received my anxiety score—now what?

Once you've had your anxiety levels assessed, the next step is up to you. If you feel that therapy would suitable for your anxiety, then ManageMinds can help. Explore the therapy services we offer, and don't hesitate to get in touch if you need further advice on which one would be right for you. We offer everything from single session therapy, to bespoke programmes and self-help courses.

If your anxiety is minimal and you're not sure treatment is necessary, you might want to try some of the self-help options covered in our blog. On the other hand, if your anxiety is severe, then consider making an appointment with your GP. They will be able to recommend anxiety treatments that go beyond online therapy.

We hope you found our anxiety questionnaire useful! It's important to remember that anxiety levels fluctuate throughout our lives. Retaking the self-assessment every few weeks or months allows you to track your progress and keep an eye on your anxiety score. For more information about our therapy services, read our Welcome to ManageMinds post.

Suffering from health anxiety? You can get a more specific score by taking our HA-7 assessment.