What questionnaire is used to diagnose generalized anxiety disorder?

The GAD-7 questionnaire is specifically designed for screening and diagnosing generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It consists of seven items that ask patients about their anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks, including excessive worrying, difficulty relaxing, and physical symptoms like restlessness. The responses are scored to provide an overall measure of anxiety severity, which aids clinicians in determining if a diagnosis of GAD is appropriate.

The GAD-7 is favored for its simplicity, efficiency, and strong psychometric properties, making it a practical tool in both clinical and research settings for identifying patients who may benefit from further assessment and treatment for generalized anxiety disorder. The other instruments mentioned—while valuable for assessing anxiety in various contexts—are not specifically tailored for diagnosing GAD and may not capture the same symptom profile or severity.