A college student has been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Which of the following symptoms should a campus nurse expect this client to exhibit? Select all that apply.

Choice A: Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation is rapid breathing that usually occurs because of anxiety or panic. This leads to low levels of carbon dioxide in your blood which causes a number of symptoms. Hyperventilation in anxiety can be a tricky thing to understand. On one hand, it can feel like you're suffocating or not getting enough air. On the other hand, hyperventilation can also cause shortness of breath, chest pain, and lightheadedness.

Choice B: Irritability

Irritability is a common symptom of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Individuals with GAD often experience severe feelings of fear and unease and report feeling restless and irritable that interfere with the quality of their life.

Choice C: Anorexia

While there is a relationship between anxiety disorders and anorexia nervosa, anorexia is not a common symptom of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Anorexia nervosa is a separate disorder that involves a fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image.

Choice D: Insomnia

Insomnia is highly prevalent in psychiatric disorders, and it has significant implications. The anxiety that characterizes GAD often interferes with the ability to sleep and leads to insomnia. This is not unexpected. Anxiety might be viewed as an inappropriate escalation of a response called arousal.

Choice E: Fatigue

Fatigue is a common symptom of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Individuals with GAD may feel restless and have trouble relaxing. They may also tire easily or feel tired all the time.

Choice A reason: While OCD behaviors may appear aggressive or impulsive, they are typically performed to reduce anxiety rather than prevent aggressive impulses.

Choice B reason: Manipulation of others is not a common goal of OCD behaviors; these behaviors are more self-directed and aimed at managing the individual's own anxiety.

Choice C reason: Decreasing time for social interaction is not the primary intent of OCD behaviors; rather, these behaviors are compulsions that the individual feels driven to perform, often to alleviate anxiety.

Choice D reason: Repetitive cleaning in OCD is a compulsion that aims to decrease anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts, often about contamination or disorder.