The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) is a validated tool developed for use in primary care and mental health settings to identify and assess anxiety symptoms. It was introduced in 2006 as part of the Patient Health Questionnaire family of instruments and has since become one of the most widely used screening tools for anxiety worldwide.

The GAD-7 evaluates the frequency of seven core anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks, including excessive worry, restlessness, irritability, difficulty relaxing, muscle tension, trouble concentrating, and sleep disturbance. Its brevity and ease of scoring make it practical for routine use by both clinicians and patients.

In addition to generalized anxiety disorder, the GAD-7 has demonstrated utility in screening for other anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. While not diagnostic on its own, it provides valuable information for initial assessment, treatment planning, and monitoring symptom change over time.