GAD-7 & Weekly Anxiety Diary
The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) in a fillable, clinic-ready format, with a scoring guide and a second page diary that links weekly scores to day-to-day triggers and coping.
2-page fillable PDF · US Letter (prints on A4) · Measurement-based care
- Approach / concern
- Anxiety & Panic
- Technique
- Measurement-based care
- Format
- Fillable PDF, 2 pages (US Letter / A4)
- Access
- Pro and Advanced plans (3-day free trial)
- For
- Licensed clinicians to use with clients
- Updated
- October 2026
Key facts
What is the GAD-7 & Weekly Anxiety Diary?
The GAD-7 is a brief self-report questionnaire that asks how often a person has been bothered by seven core anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks. Each item is scored from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), giving a total of 0-21. It was developed by Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams and Lowe (2006) and is free to use. It is one of the most widely used anxiety measures in primary care and psychotherapy worldwide.
Why it works
The GAD-7 has strong reliability and validity. A cut-off of 10 gives good sensitivity and specificity for generalized anxiety disorder, and it also performs reasonably well as a screener for panic, social anxiety and PTSD (Plummer et al., 2016). Repeating it every few weeks supports measurement-based care: you and your client can see whether treatment is working and adjust early if it is not.
When to use it
- Intake screening for anxiety symptoms
- Every 2-4 weeks to track progress
- Before and after a structured CBT or ACT program
- Collaborative care and primary-care settings
- Outcome reporting for insurers or EAPs
How to use it in session
- Ask the client to complete page 1 before or at the start of the session.
- Add the item scores (0-3) for a total between 0 and 21.
- Use the scoring guide to describe severity, and always follow up clinically.
- Give page 2 as homework so the client logs daily anxiety, triggers and coping.
- At the next session, compare the diary with the GAD-7 total and look for patterns together.
Clinician tips
- Plot scores on a simple graph over time. Clients find visible progress motivating.
- Look at individual items, not just the total. For example, ‘trouble relaxing’ may suggest adding a relaxation or breathwork skill.
- The functional impairment question is not scored, but it is clinically useful.
- Pair with a depression measure (such as the PHQ-9), as anxiety and depression often occur together.
Worked example
Sharing with clients
Members can download the PDF to print or email, or copy a private client link from the download box. Your client opens the link and downloads the worksheet on any device. No client account is needed, and nothing your client writes is stored on TherapyAid.
Frequently asked questions
Is the GAD-7 free to use?
Yes. The developers state that no permission is required to reproduce, translate, display or distribute it.
Can the GAD-7 diagnose an anxiety disorder?
No. It is a screening and monitoring tool. A diagnosis requires a clinical assessment by a qualified professional.
How often should I re-administer it?
Most clinicians use it every 2-4 weeks, or at every session in measurement-based care models. The two-week recall period means weekly use is also acceptable.
What is the GAD-2?
The GAD-2 is the first two items of the GAD-7. It is sometimes used as an ultra-brief screen, with a score of 3 or more triggering the full GAD-7.
References
Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B. W., & Lowe, B. (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: The GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(10), 1092-1097.
Plummer, F., Manea, L., Trepel, D., & McMillan, D. (2016). Screening for anxiety disorders with the GAD-7 and GAD-2: A systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis. General Hospital Psychiatry, 39, 24-31.
This worksheet is an educational tool for use by, or under the guidance of, a licensed or registered mental-health professional. It is not a diagnostic instrument or a substitute for clinical judgement. If a client is in crisis in Canada, call or text 9-8-8 or call 9-1-1.
