A symptom checklist to help clients reflect on patterns of worry and explore whether a professional assessment for GAD may be helpful.
Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about everyday events. People with GAD often experience chronic anxiety, find it difficult to stop worrying, and report symptoms such as muscle tension, fatigue, and restlessness. This symptom checklist offers clinicians and clients an accessible tool to explore whether a person’s experiences may reflect diagnostic features of GAD. It is not intended to provide a diagnosis or assess severity, but it can support early discussions about whether further evaluation is warranted.
Worry is a common experience, but when it becomes persistent and difficult to control, it may indicate GAD. This checklist helps therapists and clients to:
For clients with persistent, wide-ranging worry across multiple life areas.
For individuals who find it difficult to stop worrying even when nothing specific is wrong.
Gently introduce the possibility of GAD using the suggested therapeutic prompt.
Complete the checklist together to examine worry patterns and their impact.
Reflect on how symptoms map onto diagnostic features.
Use the results to guide further steps such as formulation, referral, or psychoeducation.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is defined by persistent, excessive anxiety that is difficult to control and spans a broad range of topics. According to the DSM-5, diagnosis requires worry occurring most days for at least six months, difficulty controlling the worry, and at least three physical or cognitive symptoms (e.g., restlessness, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, or sleep disturbance).
ICD-11 similarly describes general apprehensiveness not restricted to a specific context, along with symptoms like muscle tension, autonomic arousal, and difficulty concentrating. Symptoms must persist for several months, cause distress or impairment, and not be better explained by another mental or physical condition.
This symptom checklist is informed by both DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria. It is not intended to provide a formal diagnosis or assess severity but may support early recognition and therapeutic exploration. Clinicians can use it to validate a client’s experiences and facilitate conversations that may lead to further assessment.
