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Mental Health Screening Tools for Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, and Digital Overuse
Evidence-Based Tools for Whole-Person Mental Wellness
Evidence-Based Tools for Whole-Person Mental Wellness
At reSTART, we offer validated mental health screening tools to help individuals, families, and professionals identify core behavioral health concerns—quickly and effectively. Our tools are designed for modern challenges, from anxiety and depression to ADHD and issues stemming from excessive screen use.
These screeners serve as a starting point for deeper conversations and clinical support, helping providers and users alike identify needs and navigate next steps with confidence.
Assess Your Internet, Gaming, and Screen Use
Use this brief online survey to assess your screen use patterns
About the Brief Internet Game Screen (BIGS)
The BIGS is a brief, peer-reviewed and validated screening measure of internet, gaming, and digital media use
The Brief Internet and Gaming Screen (BIGS) is a research-supported, peer-reviewed screening tool designed to assess patterns of internet, gaming, and overall screen use. This measure helps identify behaviors associated with excessive or problematic use, including loss of control, preoccupation, impact on mood, and interference with daily functioning such as sleep, relationships, and productivity. As a brief self-report tool, it offers a practical way to gain insight into digital habits and determine whether further evaluation or support may be beneficial.
The Brief Internet and Gaming Screen (BIGS)
The Brief Internet and Gaming Screen has been developed by the reSTART to help people better understand their Internet Gaming use and assists people in making decisions about the way they engage in gaming activities. This tool is designed to examine areas of use which may become problematic over the last 12 months.
For clarification, “games or gaming” are catchall terms which include online (ie., the Internet) and offline engagement with games (e.g., video games, console games, handheld games, cellular phone or tablet games, computer games, virtual reality games) or use of other devices capable of playing games, and includes the viewing of current or past games being played or broadcast (e.g., eSports).
Brief Internet Game Screen
1. How often do you think about your current, previous or next gaming activity?
2. Have you become restless, irritable, angry or anxious when you are unable to engage in gaming activities?
3. Has your engagement with gaming activities increased in the past year?
4. What is the average number of hours spent engaging in gaming activities each week?
5. Have you tried to reduce participation in gaming activities but found it too difficult, so you’ve continued engaging in gaming activities?
6. Have you lost interest in non-game related activities (e.g., sports, hobbies, family activities, etc.)?
7. Have you continued to engage in game activities despite knowing the problems you experience as a result of your use?
8. Have you deceived a family member, signiticant other, employer or therapist regarding the amount of time spent engaging in gaming activities?
9. Do you find yourself participating in gaming activities to feel better (e.g., reduce anxiety, loneliness, sadness, guilt, worry, etc.)?
10. Have you jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, academic or employment opportunity becaue of your engagement with gaming activities?
11. Please select the option below that best describes how you feel right now.
- I never think about gaming activities
- Sometimes I think about gaming activities less
- I have decided to engage in gaming activities less
- I am already trying to engage in gaming activities less
- I changed my engagment with gaming activities-I do not engage in gaming activities now, or I engage less than before
Scoring
If there are at least five “yes” answers consider an Internet Gaming Disorder. Add score to determine severity.
Note: Since the questionnaire relies on individual self-report, all responses should be verified a professional taking into account relevant information received from the individual, how well the individual understood the questionnaire, and feedback from reliable collateral sources.
If there are at least five “yes” answers consider an Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD/IAD). Add score to determine severity.
Total Score Internet Gaming Severity
- Preoccupation with Internet games (Severity): Never=0; Occasionally=5; Weekly= 10; Daily=15; Hourly=20; Always=25
- Withdrawal symptoms: Yes = 10; No = 0
- Tolerance: Yes = 10; No = 0
- Tolerance (Severity) Less than 7=0; Between 8-14=5; Between 15 and 20=10; Between 21 and 30=15; Between 31 and 40 = 20; More than 40=25
- Unsuccessful attempts to quit: Yes = 10; No = 0; Occasionally = 10
- Loss of outside interests: Yes = 10; No = 0
- Salience of use: Yes = 10; No = 0
- Lying to others about use: Yes = 10; No = 0
- Use to escape from a negative mood: Yes = 10; No = 0
- Impaired relationships: Yes = 10; No = 0
Total score possible: 130 – SCORE _______________
Score Severity
35 or below Minimal problematic Internet gaming
40 – 45 Mild problematic Internet gaming
50 – 75 Moderate problematic Internet gaming
80 – 105 Moderately severe Internet gaming
110 – 130 Severe Internet gaming
Motivation and/or readiness to change
1 Pre-contemplative (I never think about gaming activities)
2 Contemplative (Sometimes I think about gaming activities less)
3 Determination (I have decided to engage in gaming activities less)
4 Action (I am already trying to engage in gaming activities less)
5 Maintenance (I changed my engagement with gaming activities)
When Screen Use, Gaming or AI Becomes a Concern
You’re not alone. Change is possible
The right support can make a meaningful difference
If your results suggest patterns of overuse or difficulty managing screen time, you are not alone. Many individuals struggle with balancing digital engagement with daily life, especially as technology becomes more integrated into work, school, and relationships. Recognizing these patterns is an important first step toward change.
What to Look For
Signs that additional support may be helpful can include difficulty cutting back, increased time spent online despite negative consequences, disrupted sleep, changes in mood, or strain in relationships. You may also notice challenges with focus, motivation, or following through on responsibilities.