The GAF score is a numerical score, from 0 to 100. It is used to rate how a person’s symptoms of psychiatric disorders affect their ability to function in day-to-day activities. It is usually given by a physician to assess general functioning. Here is how to evaluate the GAF score.
What is the range of the GAF scores?
The GAF score ranges from 0 to 100. A score of 100 means that the person you are rating is completely asymptomatic or functioning normally in a particular area. A score of 0 means that they are totally disabled and are suffering from a severe mental illness.
Why should you use the GAF scores?
The most important aspect in evaluating psychiatric disorders or symptoms is to communicate effectively with your physicians, therapists or anyone involved in treating your disorder. To do this you need to have a reliable and valid rating of your disorder. The GAF score can be used to rate symptoms and the overall function of patients with psychiatric disorders or even those without psychiatric disorders.
The GAF rating scale is used in many settings in hospitals, clinics, community health settings and primary care settings such as primary care physicians, mental health specialists and social workers as well as occupational therapists, rehabilitation therapists and vocational counselors who are evaluating patient’s ability to work.
How do you interpret the GAF score?
When evaluating your symptoms, the clinician should look at all areas of functioning.
- If your GAF score is between 50-55, you may need a few interventions to get back to your normal level of functioning.
- If your gaf score is between 55-60, you should have received several treatments for you to get back to a normal level of functioning.
- If your GAF score is between 60-70, then you are able to function but are still having some problems in certain daily activities so it would be recommended that these issues be addressed in order for you get back to a normal level of functioning.
Who should use the GAF score?
The GAF rating scale is common in psychiatric care, mental health care and social services. The GAF scales can be used by psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, counselors, physicians and even nursing or occupational therapy professionals to evaluate patients’ functioning.
How can you evaluate the GAF score?
The easiest way to evaluate the Gaf score is to write down all your problems in a short-hand form that you feel would be easy to communicate with your physician. These problems should include job or school, family or social functioning and overall ability to function within your daily activities such as eating, bathing, dressing and going about your regular activities of daily living.
