On the GAD-7 scale, a score above what indicates severe anxiety?

On the GAD-7 scale, a score above what indicates severe anxiety?

• A. More than 15
• B. More than 10
• C. More than 20
• D. More than 5

Answer: (A)

The GAD-7 uses a 0–21 total score to categorize anxiety severity, with severe anxiety defined by a total of 15–21. The seven items each assess how often the person has symptoms like excessive worry, difficulty relaxing, and trouble concentrating, so higher scores mean more frequent symptoms and greater functional impairment. Therefore, a score in the severe range indicates substantial symptom burden. The option reflecting a threshold of “more than 15” essentially targets the upper end of that severe range (16–21); in clinical use, 15 or higher is typically considered severe.

The GAD-7 uses a 0–21 total score to categorize anxiety severity, with severe anxiety defined by a total of 15–21. The seven items each assess how often the person has symptoms like excessive worry, difficulty relaxing, and trouble concentrating, so higher scores mean more frequent symptoms and greater functional impairment. Therefore, a score in the severe range indicates substantial symptom burden. The option reflecting a threshold of “more than 15” essentially targets the upper end of that severe range (16–21); in clinical use, 15 or higher is typically considered severe.