Perceptions of Functioning in Worry and Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Research has suggested that individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may underestimate the quality of their cognitive and interpersonal functioning, raising the question of whether perceived impairments are widespread across life domains and distinguish GAD from other forms of severe worry. The present study addressed these questions by examining perceived and actual (grade point average and interviewer-rated) impairments in GAD worriers, non-GAD high worriers, and normal worriers. Elevated performance standards were examined as an explanation for perceived impairments. Participants were assigned to groups based on diagnostic interview and measures of worry. They completed measures of perceived functioning and performance standards. Both groups of worriers reported widespread impairments and preliminary evidence suggestive of elevated performance standards. Results suggest that both GAD and non-GAD worriers perceive themselves to be impaired across important life domains. However, grade point average does not show evidence of impairments and some amount of the impairment reported by both high worry groups may reflect elevated performance standards.