Final answer:
Option c, which describes symptoms such as haunting memories and social withdrawal after a traumatic event, is indicative of PTSD, not GAD. GAD is characterized by excessive worry and tension without a specific trauma trigger. c. Characterized by haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, and/or insomnia that lingers for four weeks or more after a traumatic experience.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question: Which of the following is not a symptom of generalized anxiety disorder? is option c: Characterized by haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, and/or insomnia that lingers for four weeks or more after a traumatic experience. This description is more indicative of symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rather than generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
GAD is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about everyday things, which is disproportionate to the actual source of worry. Its symptoms include, as stated in options a and b, being continually tense, apprehensive, and experiencing autonomic nervous system arousal, along with worry, edginess, and sleep disturbances. People with GAD often cannot pinpoint the reason for their anxiety, unlike the specific traumatic experience that triggers PTSD symptoms.
Insomnia and increased levels of anxiety can create a detrimental cycle that impacts a person's overall health. Chronic insomnia is linked with symptoms of depression, and increased arousal can further hinder the ability to sleep, as mentioned in the reference provided.