Clinically reviewed: July 2026 · Check COPAO registration
Key point: this online anxiety test uses the GAD-7 questionnaire. It assesses how often seven anxiety symptoms have affected you over the past two weeks. The result offers guidance, but it cannot confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
Worry is a normal part of life. However, it can become persistent, difficult to control and exhausting. You may also notice tension, irritability or a constant sense of being on alert.
This online anxiety test uses the GAD-7 to provide an initial indication of those symptoms. It takes only a few minutes and gives you an immediate result.
In addition, the test runs entirely within this page. Ocnos does not receive, store or send your answers. Therefore, you can complete it anonymously.
What is the GAD-7 online anxiety test?
The GAD-7 is a short, seven-item questionnaire. Its authors developed it to screen for symptoms associated with generalised anxiety disorder and to estimate their severity.
Each question refers to the past two weeks. The answer options range from “not at all” to “nearly every day”. The scores are then added to give a total between 0 and 21.
Research has validated the GAD-7, and healthcare professionals and researchers use it widely. Nevertheless, a questionnaire can never replace a full clinical assessment.
What it can do
- Help you identify common anxiety symptoms.
- Give an indication of their current severity.
- Support a conversation with a professional.
- Help you notice changes over time.
What it cannot do
- Diagnose an anxiety disorder.
- Explain the cause of your distress on its own.
- Rule out other psychological or medical problems.
- Replace a professional assessment.
Before you begin: answer according to how you have felt during the past two weeks. Do not answer only according to your worst day or according to how you would like to feel.
GAD-7 anxiety test
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems?
Privacy: your answers remain on your device. This test does not send or store them, and it does not use cookies or local storage to keep your result.
How to interpret your GAD-7 score
Your total score can range from 0 to 21. A higher result indicates that the symptoms listed in the questionnaire have occurred more frequently.
However, the number does not tell the whole story. Duration, context and impact on daily life also matter.
| Score | Indicative severity | Careful interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 | Minimal | The questionnaire reflects few anxiety symptoms during the past two weeks. |
| 5–9 | Mild | Some symptoms are present. It may help to monitor how they develop and how much they affect you. |
| 10–14 | Moderate | The symptoms merit a fuller assessment, particularly when they interfere with daily life. |
| 15–21 | Severe | The frequency of symptoms is high. Seeking professional support is advisable. |
A score of 10 or above is often used as a prompt for further assessment. However, it does not automatically mean that you have an anxiety disorder.
For example, someone may score highly during a short-term crisis. In contrast, another person may obtain a lower score but experience substantial disruption. Therefore, the additional question about impact is also important.
Which anxiety symptoms does the GAD-7 assess?
The GAD-7 focuses on common anxiety symptoms. These include nervousness, worry that feels difficult to control and trouble relaxing.
It also asks about restlessness, irritability and anticipatory fear. These symptoms may appear together or with different levels of intensity.
Persistent worry
Your mind may move from one problem to another. Sometimes, it even looks for a new threat as soon as one concern has been resolved.
You may believe that worrying helps you prevent mistakes. However, constant mental vigilance eventually becomes exhausting.
Tension and restlessness
Anxiety does not only appear through thoughts. You may also notice muscle tension, chest discomfort, digestive symptoms or difficulty sitting still.
Physical symptoms can also have medical causes. Therefore, seek medical advice when symptoms are new, intense or concerning.
Irritability and difficulty switching off
When the alert system stays active, patience often decreases. As a result, small situations may trigger stronger reactions.
Moreover, your body may feel tired whilst your mind continues to race. This combination can make rest more difficult.
Anxiety, stress and worry are not exactly the same
Stress usually relates to a specific demand. For example, a work deadline, a conflict or a period of major change may create stress.
Worry, on the other hand, is a mental activity. It can support planning. However, it stops being useful when it becomes repetitive and does not lead to action.
Anxiety includes thoughts, emotions and physical responses. In addition, it may continue even when no immediate danger is present.
Nevertheless, the boundaries are not always clear. Long-term stress can increase anxiety, while poor sleep can intensify both.
Differential assessment matters. Anxiety may overlap with depression, trauma, sleep problems, stimulant use, medical conditions or prolonged overload. For that reason, a psychological assessment considers much more than a single score.
When should you seek professional help?
You do not need to wait until anxiety becomes unbearable. Consider seeking help when distress keeps returning, lasts for several weeks or restricts your life.
It is also worth asking for support when you avoid important places, decisions or activities. The same applies when worry affects sleep, work or relationships.
- You find it difficult to control worry.
- Tension is present on most days.
- Your sleep has clearly deteriorated.
- You avoid situations because of fear or anticipation.
- You rely on alcohol, non-prescribed medication or other behaviours to calm yourself.
- Distress affects your performance or relationships.
Therapy does not aim to eliminate every worry. Instead, it can help you reduce unnecessary alertness and recover a greater sense of choice.
How is anxiety assessed in therapy?
A professional assessment begins with a clinical conversation. The psychologist asks what is happening, when it began and how it affects your life.
Next, the psychologist explores the factors that may keep the problem going. These can include avoidance, anticipation, sleep habits and responses to physical sensations.
Questionnaires may also be used. However, the professional interprets them within your personal history rather than in isolation.
At Ocnos Psychology Clinic, we work with a practical and clinically grounded approach. You can read about our anxiety treatment or learn more about Héctor Lozano Jiménez.
Seek urgent help if you feel unable to stay safe, believe you may harm yourself or are experiencing an emergency. In Spain, call 112; the national 024 line also supports people with suicidal thoughts and those close to them. In Gibraltar, call the GHA Mental Health Crisis Service on 111.
Is anxiety taking up too much space in your life?
A score can offer an initial indication. However, understanding what is happening requires context. We can help you assess your situation and decide on a suitable next step.
Frequently asked questions about the GAD-7 anxiety test
What is the GAD-7?
The GAD-7 is a seven-item questionnaire. It measures how often several anxiety symptoms have affected you during the past two weeks. Professionals use it as a screening tool and as an indicative measure of severity.
Can the GAD-7 diagnose an anxiety disorder?
No. The result cannot confirm or rule out a disorder. A diagnosis requires a clinical assessment that considers duration, impact, personal history and other possible explanations.
What does a score of 10 or above mean?
A score of 10 or above falls within the moderate or severe ranges under the usual cut-offs. Therefore, a fuller assessment may be helpful, especially when distress interferes with daily life.
Can I have anxiety even if my score is low?
Yes. The GAD-7 focuses on seven symptoms over a two-week period. It may not capture panic attacks, phobias, social anxiety, trauma or other difficulties. Seek advice if you are distressed or avoiding important situations, even when your score is low.
Can anxiety cause physical symptoms?
Yes. Anxiety can be associated with muscle tension, palpitations, digestive discomfort, dizziness or shortness of breath. However, physical symptoms can also have medical causes. Seek medical advice when they are new, severe or worrying.
How often can I repeat the GAD-7?
You can repeat it to observe change, but avoid checking it compulsively. An interval of several weeks usually provides more useful information than daily repetition. If you are receiving treatment, follow the schedule recommended by your professional.
Does Ocnos store my answers or result?
No. JavaScript calculates the result within your browser. The page does not request personal information, send your answers or use local storage to keep the result.
What is the difference between anxiety and stress?
Stress usually relates to a specific demand. Anxiety can continue even when there is no immediate threat. However, they often overlap and can reinforce one another, particularly when stress continues for a long time.
When should I seek urgent help?
Seek urgent help if you cannot keep yourself safe, believe you may harm yourself or are experiencing an emergency. In Spain, call 112 or contact the 024 line for suicidal thoughts. In Gibraltar, call the GHA Mental Health Crisis Service on 111.