Q
What is the difference between GAD and normal worry?
Normal worry is proportionate, time-limited and usually resolves once the situation does. GAD involves worry that is persistent, difficult to control, covers multiple areas of life simultaneously and continues even when circumstances do not warrant it. The key criterion is not just how much you worry, but how hard it is to stop.
Q
Can this test diagnose GAD?
No. This is a self-assessment tool, not a clinical diagnosis. Only a qualified mental health professional can diagnose GAD. This test identifies whether your symptom pattern is consistent with GAD and how closely it matches the recognised criteria, which can help you decide whether to seek a professional assessment.
Yes. GAD has one of the strongest evidence bases for treatment of any anxiety disorder. CBT for GAD specifically targets the excessive worry patterns and the behaviours that maintain them. Response rates are consistently high and effects tend to be maintained after treatment ends. Most people with GAD experience significant improvement with the right support.
Q
How is this test different from the GAD-7?
The GAD-7 is a validated clinical screening tool that measures symptom severity across 7 items. This test covers more ground across 14 questions, including the daily functional impact of worry, the controllability dimension and how symptoms affect different areas of life. It gives a broader picture than the GAD-7 alone, though it is not a validated clinical instrument.
Q
What other tools might help me understand my anxiety?
The
Anxiety Level Test gives a full severity score across panic, sleep and physical symptoms. If you are unsure whether your anxiety is GAD or something else, the
What Type of Anxiety Do I Have quiz maps your pattern across GAD, social anxiety, health anxiety and panic.