Which option lists the physical somatic symptoms commonly associated with GAD?

• A. Weight gain and increased appetite
• B. Hallucinations and delusions
• C. Shortness of breath and muscle tension
• D. Memory loss and disorientation

Answer: (C)

Generalized anxiety disorder manifests not only as persistent worry but also as physical symptoms from a body kept in a state of high arousal. When the stress response is continuously activated, muscles tend to stay tense and breathing can become rapid or shallow, leading to shortness of breath. These somatic signs—muscle tension and breathing changes—are common in GAD and reflect the body’s ongoing stress response.

Weight gain and increased appetite aren’t typical somatic features of GAD; they’re more aligned with other conditions or factors. Hallucinations and delusions are psychotic symptoms, not characteristic of standard GAD. Memory problems or disorientation point to different cognitive or neurological issues rather than the usual physical manifestations of generalized anxiety.