Rosh Psychiatry Board Practice Exam

What symptom is most indicative of generalized anxiety disorder in a patient with excessive worry and irritability?

1. Cognitive impairment

2. Muscle tension

3. Tearfulness

4. Weight loss

The correct answer is: Muscle tension

Muscle tension is a key symptom associated with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and plays a significant role in the diagnosis of this condition. Patients with GAD often experience not only excessive worry but also physical manifestations of that anxiety, which include chronic muscle tension. This symptom reflects the body’s heightened state of arousal and stress in response to ongoing worry and can lead to discomfort, impairing the individual’s daily functioning. In the context of GAD, muscle tension can frequently be experienced in areas such as the neck, shoulders, and jaw, contributing to fatigue, headaches, and sleep disturbances. These physical symptoms are part of the overall clinical picture and help healthcare providers differentiate GAD from other anxiety disorders or conditions presenting with similar symptoms. The other choices, while they may relate to anxiety or mood disorders, do not directly pinpoint GAD. Cognitive impairment can occur but is less specific; tearfulness may signify various emotional states and is not uniquely associated with GAD; and weight loss is often related to other factors, such as depression or eating disorders, rather than the chronic anxiety typical of GAD. Thus, muscle tension serves as a critical physical symptom that aligns closely with the features of generalized anxiety disorder.