SCARED — Anxiety Screening

Name: SCARED — Anxiety Screening
Creator: Daniel Diaz-Gil, MD
Keywords: SCARED, anxiety, screening, pediatric, GAD, panic, separation, social, psychiatry

41-item self-report screening for anxiety disorders including panic, GAD, separation, social, and school avoidance.

The SCARED (Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders) is a 41-item assessment tool for identifying anxiety disorders in children and adolescents ages 8-18 years across five anxiety domains. This validated screening instrument helps primary care and mental health providers recognize anxiety disorders and guide mental health referral decisions. Use this tool at preventive visits or when anxiety symptoms are reported to screen for anxiety disorders and facilitate appropriate mental health evaluation.

Clinically Verified· 5 tests

For educational and informational purposes only. Verify all results before clinical application.

When I feel frightened, it is hard to breathe *

I get headaches when I am at school *

I don't like to be with people I don't know well *

I get scared if I sleep away from home *

I worry about other people liking me *

When I get frightened, I feel like passing out *

I am nervous *

I follow my mother or father wherever they go *

People tell me that I look nervous *

I feel nervous with people I don't know well *

I get stomachaches at school *

When I get frightened, I feel like I am going crazy *

I worry about sleeping alone *

I worry about being as good as other kids *

When I get frightened, I feel like things are not real *

I have nightmares about something bad happening to my parents *

I worry about going to school *

When I get frightened, my heart beats fast *

I get shaky *

I have nightmares about something bad happening to me *

I worry about things working out for me *

When I get frightened, I sweat a lot *

I am a worrier *

I get really frightened for no reason at all *

I am afraid to be alone in the house *

It is hard for me to talk with people I don't know well *

When I get frightened, I feel like I am choking *

People tell me that I worry too much *

I don't like to be away from my family *

I am afraid of having anxiety (or panic) attacks *

I worry that something bad might happen to my parents *

I feel shy with people I don't know well *

I worry about what is going to happen in the future *

When I get frightened, I feel like throwing up *

I worry about how well I do things *

I am scared to go to school *

I worry about things that have already happened *

When I get frightened, I feel dizzy *

I feel nervous when I am with other children and I have to do something while they watch me *

I feel nervous when I am going to parties, dances, or any place where there will be people I don't know well *

I am shy *

References

Birmaher B, et al. The Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED): scale construction and psychometric characteristics. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997;36(4):545-553.[DOI]

Reviewed by Daniel Diaz-Gil, MD · Last updated March 2026

Medical disclaimer

This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional clinical judgment. Always independently verify results before making clinical decisions.

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