Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF): Assessing Function

Clinicians use the Global Assessment of Functioning to rate an adult's psychological, social, and job performance. This 100-point scale helps track how mental health affects daily living skills.

Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) PDF assessment form for rating mental health functioning
GAF

Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF)

The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) is a numeric scale used by mental health clinicians to rate social, occupational, and psychological functioning. Scored from 0 to 100, this tool helps track treatment progress. While newer methods exist, it's a recognised way to measure how mental illness affects daily life.

Category

Mental health
Wellbeing
Diagnostic

Disease

Mental Health
Assessment
Clinical Measurement

Source

(American Psychiatric Association, 2000)

Author Name

American Psychiatric Association (1987)

Page Editor

Thijs Sondag

What is Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF)

The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) is a standard numeric scale used to rate how well an adult handles daily life and mental health challenges. This tool tracks psychological, social, and occupational functioning on a single continuum. It helps pros get a quick snapshot of overall wellbeing without needing complex testing. Clinicians rate patients from 0 to 100, where higher scores mean superior functioning with no symptoms. Lower numbers point to serious impairment or danger to self. The scale splits into ten point intervals so it is easy to spot where a client sits. It is handy for planning treatment and checking if therapy is working. Since it is quick to finish, doctors often use it to track progress over time or for insurance needs. Even though newer methods exist, the GAF remains a solid choice for monitoring how a patient recovers in practical settings.

GAF Scoring

The Global Assessment of Functioning can be scored using one main approach based on clinician judgment. Clinicians rate a patient's psychological, social, and occupational functioning on a numeric scale from 0 to 100. You'll pick a single number that best reflects the lowest level of functioning in the past week. Higher scores mean better mental health, while lower numbers indicate serious impairment or danger to self. For instance, a score of 85 suggests good functioning, but a 25 points to delusions or inability to function. It's a handy snapshot for tracking progress over time.

View scoring form

Advantages

Outcome tracking

Measures healthcare intervention results systematically.

Treatment planning

Develops personalised strategies based on assessment data.

Wide applicability

Serves diverse clinical needs effectively.

5
Minutes
1
Questions

Streamline Global Assessment of Functioning assessments with WeGuide

Digitise GAF scoring and track patient functioning trends. Simplify mental health assessments and monitor progress easily.

Support Your patient in no time - all under your own brand

Our platform combines the knowledge of 100+ digital health solutions built, letting you easily build your patient engagement app for research or clinical use. Collect PROMs, support patients on waiting lists, or gather vital signs data. This is how:

Learn More

Program Builder

Import your clinical or research protocol, upload your forms and and off you go.
Learn More
We Guide

Whitelabelling

Get your own app in the store and created a trusted environment for your patients or participants.
Learn More

Turn on components, dependent on your usecase

Setup Program Information, Collect Wearable data.
Learn More

Support The Full Journey

Use WeGuide to support your patients or participants in the full journey, starting from screening & consent to collecting recurring data for months to come..
Learn More

It’s your turn

Every WeGuide project, saves researchers and clinicians - 9 months and $450,000 - creating impactful digital health solutions.

By clicking organise a demo, you’re confirming that we can contact you to set up a demonstration.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again.
No items found.