When Does Stress Become Anxiety — Take the GAD7 Anxiety Test
Many people feel anxious these days. No one will judge you for worrying about the future in these troubling times.
When do you know normal worry has turned into anxiety? How is anxiety diagnosed and why do we not test for neurotransmitter imbalances through a lab test, not a questionnaire?
All valid questions, and we can test for amino acid imbalances, specifically for those that play a vital role in anxiety — the inhibitory ones that calm the mind, and the excitatory ones — those that keep us awake, wired, and restless. You get the idea, but another article will have to be written on that subject. The purpose of this one is to provide an insight into your current psyche.
Here is the GAD-7 test used by many organizations, institutions and mental health providers.
Take the Test
Over the last two weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems?
1. Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge
- Not at all — 0 points
- Several days — 1 point
- More than half the day — 2 points
- Nearly every day — 3 points
2. Not being able to stop or control worrying
- Not at all — 0 points
- Several days — 1 point
- More than half the day — 2 points
- Nearly every day — 3 points
3. Worrying too much about different things
- Not at all — 0 points
- Several days — 1 point
- More than half the day — 2 points
- Nearly every day — 3 points
4. Trouble relaxing
- Not at all — 0 points
- Several days — 1 point
- More than half the day — 2 points
- Nearly every day — 3 points
5. Being so restless that it is hard to sit still
- Not at all — 0 points
- Several days — 1 point
- More than half the day — 2 points
- Nearly every day — 3 points
6. Becoming easily annoyed or irritable
- Not at all — 0 points
- Several days — 1 point
- More than half the day — 2 points
- Nearly every day — 3 points
7. Feeling afraid, as if something awful might happen
- Not at all — 0 points
- Several days — 1 point
- More than half the day — 2 points
- Nearly every day — 3 points
Tabulation
Add all points based on your answers to access severity.
- 0 to 4 = mild anxiety
- 5 to 9 = moderate anxiety
- 10 to 14 = moderately severe anxiety
- 15 to 21 = severe anxiety
Call your doctor if your score is 10 or higher, or if you feel that anxiety is disrupting your daily life.
The GAD-7 was developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B. W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke, and colleagues, with an education grant from Pfizer, Inc.
Supplements
If your score is within healthy limits, and if you feel that your stress is manageable, consider the following:
Biological processes that suffer (as a result from stress) deplete our B vitamin levels and GABA, the inhibitory neurotransmitter that acts as a “brake” on spiraling negativity. GABA promotes restful sleep and relaxation.
“Clinical studies show this natural form of GABA in Thorne’s PharmaGABA can decrease the brain’s stress-related beta waves and increase the production of alpha-waves, creating a profound sense of physical relaxation while maintaining mental focus. Other studies show reduced pupil diameter and heart rate, and a reduction in the levels of two natural biomarkers of stress — salivary cortisol and chromogranin A — all signs of enhanced relaxation.”
Adding adaptogenic herbs to your routine helps in several ways:
- They may optimize adrenal response to help you cope with pressure.
- They may improve your response to stress and help you reduce fatigue.
- Blends that contain Ashwagandha, Astragalus Extract, Eleuthero Extract, Ginger, Ginseng, Licorice, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and Zinc may exhibit stress reducing, immune boosting clinical properties.
Resources:
- https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/anxiety?show=1
- https://www.uofmhealth.org/sites/default/files/healthwise/media/pdf/hw/form_abn2339.pdf
- https://thor.ne/QALug
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4290459/
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/ashwagandha#1
- https://time.com/5025278/adaptogens-herbs-stress-anxiety/
Legal Disclaimer
The statements on these pages are not evaluated by the FDA and are for informational purposes only. Nothing on this page intends to treat, diagnose or prevent disease. If you suspect that you have a disease or a condition of any type, please see your primary care physician without delay. Consult your physician before taking supplements or changing your diet.
