Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
A scale for measuring the severity of anxiety.
Instructions for Use
Objective
The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) is a self-report questionnaire used for measuring the severity of anxiety in adults and adolescents. It contains 21 items, each describing a physical, affective, or cognitive symptom of anxiety.
When to Use
This inventory is used for screening purposes and to measure the severity level of anxiety. It helps in identifying the presence and degree of anxiety symptoms, which can be useful in clinical settings for treatment planning and progress monitoring.
How to Administer
Read each of the 21 symptoms. For each one, choose the option that best describes how much you have been bothered by it over the past week, including the day you are taking the inventory.
- There are no right or wrong answers.
- Answer based on your actual feelings and experiences.
- The scale for each item is:
- Not at all (0 points)
- Mildly, but it didn't bother me much (1 point)
- Moderately - it wasn't pleasant at times (2 points)
- Severely - it bothered me a lot (3 points)
- Ensure that an answer is selected for every symptom to get an accurate score.
Score Analysis
Score Calculation
The total score is the sum of the points from all 21 questions. The possible score range is from 0 to 63.
Result Interpretation
The total score corresponds to a level of anxiety severity:
- 0-7: Minimal level of anxiety
- 8-15: Mild anxiety
- 16-25: Moderate anxiety
- 26-63: Severe anxiety
Disclaimer: This inventory is a screening tool and not a substitute for a professional clinical diagnosis. The results are intended to be informative and should be discussed with a qualified healthcare or mental health professional for a comprehensive assessment.