Name one common assessment instrument for measuring anxiety.

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) is a widely recognized tool specifically designed to assess the severity of generalized anxiety disorder. It consists of seven items that evaluate various symptoms of anxiety, focusing on how often individuals have experienced these symptoms over the past two weeks. The GAD-7 helps clinicians quantify anxiety levels, enabling them to track changes over time and inform treatment decisions.

While other tools, such as the Hamilton Anxiety Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, are also effective for measuring anxiety, the GAD-7 is particularly favored for its straightforward format and its ability to be easily administered in clinical and research settings.