Which assessment tool is commonly used for screening anxiety disorders?

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale is a widely recognized assessment tool specifically designed to screen for anxiety disorders, particularly generalized anxiety disorder. It consists of seven questions that evaluate the frequency of anxiety symptoms experienced in the past two weeks, allowing clinicians to measure the severity of anxiety. This tool has been validated for both screening and assessing the severity of anxiety symptoms, making it a preferred choice for professionals in mental health settings.

The other tools mentioned assess different mental health conditions. The Beck Depression Inventory, for example, focuses on depressive symptoms, while the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is tailored for screening depression. The Mental Status Examination (MSE) is a broader evaluation of cognitive functioning and mental state, but it does not specifically assess anxiety disorders. Thus, while all these tools are valuable in their own contexts, the GAD-7 is the appropriate choice for screening anxiety disorders specifically.