Anxiety assessment tools are used to screen for and measure the severity of anxiety disorders in individuals.
These tools can help healthcare providers diagnose anxiety disorders and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
Here are some commonly used anxiety assessment tools:
1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) Scale
Description: The GAD-7 is a brief self-report questionnaire designed to identify probable cases of generalized anxiety disorder and assess its severity.
Instructions: Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems? (Use “✔” to indicate your answer)
| Symptom | Not at all (0) | Several days (1) | More than half the days (2) | Nearly every day (3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge | ||||
| 2. Not being able to stop or control worrying | ||||
| 3. Worrying too much about different things | ||||
| 4. Trouble relaxing | ||||
| 5. Being so restless that it’s hard to sit still | ||||
| 6. Becoming easily annoyed or irritable | ||||
| 7. Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen |
Scoring: Add the scores for each of the seven items to get a total score.
- Total Score: ____ / 21
Interpretation:
- 0-4: Minimal anxiety
- 5-9: Mild anxiety
- 10-14: Moderate anxiety
- 15-21: Severe anxiety
2. Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
Description: The BAI is a 21-item self-report inventory that measures the severity of anxiety symptoms.
Instructions: Please indicate how much you have been bothered by each symptom over the past week, including today.
| Symptom | Not at all (0) | Mildly (1) | Moderately (2) | Severely (3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numbness or tingling | ||||
| Feeling hot | ||||
| Wobbliness in legs | ||||
| Unable to relax | ||||
| Fear of the worst happening | ||||
| Dizzy or lightheaded | ||||
| Heart pounding/racing | ||||
| Unsteady | ||||
| Terrified or afraid | ||||
| Nervous | ||||
| Feelings of choking | ||||
| Hands trembling | ||||
| Shaky/unsteady | ||||
| Fear of losing control | ||||
| Difficulty breathing | ||||
| Fear of dying | ||||
| Scared | ||||
| Indigestion | ||||
| Faint/lightheaded | ||||
| Face flushed | ||||
| Sweating (not due to heat) |
Scoring: Add the scores for each of the 21 items to get a total score.
- Total Score: ____ / 63
Interpretation:
- 0-7: Minimal anxiety
- 8-15: Mild anxiety
- 16-25: Moderate anxiety
- 26-63: Severe anxiety
3. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A)
Description: The HAM-A is a clinician-administered scale that assesses the severity of anxiety symptoms.
Instructions: Rate the severity of each symptom over the past week.
| Symptom | Not present (0) | Mild (1) | Moderate (2) | Severe (3) | Very severe (4) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anxious mood | |||||
| Tension | |||||
| Fears | |||||
| Insomnia | |||||
| Intellectual (cognitive) symptoms | |||||
| Depressed mood | |||||
| Somatic (muscular) symptoms | |||||
| Somatic (sensory) symptoms | |||||
| Cardiovascular symptoms | |||||
| Respiratory symptoms | |||||
| Gastrointestinal symptoms | |||||
| Genitourinary symptoms | |||||
| Autonomic symptoms | |||||
| Behavior at interview |
Scoring: Add the scores for each of the 14 items to get a total score.
- Total Score: ____ / 56
Interpretation:
- 0-17: Mild anxiety
- 18-24: Moderate anxiety
- 25-30: Severe anxiety
4. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
Description: The STAI consists of two subscales, measuring state anxiety (temporary condition) and trait anxiety (general tendency to be anxious).
Instructions: For each statement, circle the number that best describes how you feel right now (State Anxiety) and generally (Trait Anxiety).
State Anxiety Subscale (S-Anxiety):
| Statement | Not at all (1) | Somewhat (2) | Moderately so (3) | Very much so (4) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I feel calm | ||||
| I feel secure | ||||
| I am tense | ||||
| I am upset | ||||
| I am relaxed | ||||
| I am worried |
Trait Anxiety Subscale (T-Anxiety):
| Statement | Almost never (1) | Sometimes (2) | Often (3) | Almost always (4) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I feel nervous and restless | ||||
| I feel satisfied with myself | ||||
| I wish I could be as happy as others seem to be | ||||
| I feel like a failure | ||||
| I am a steady person |
Scoring: Sum the scores for each subscale.
- State Anxiety Score: ____ / 80
- Trait Anxiety Score: ____ / 80
Interpretation:
- Higher scores indicate greater levels of anxiety.
Comments and Recommendations
- Observation Summary:
- Recommended Interventions:
- Consider a referral to a mental health professional for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment planning.
- Discuss possible treatment options, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or medication.
- Schedule follow-up appointments to monitor symptoms and treatment progress.
Note: These assessment tools are for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers for accurate assessments and appropriate care plans.
These tools help in screening for and assessing the severity of anxiety disorders, guiding appropriate intervention and treatment.