Which of the following symptoms is NOT a characteristic of generalized anxiety disorder?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by a range of symptoms that reflect excessive worry about various everyday issues. Common symptoms include sleep disturbances, muscle tension, and restlessness or feeling keyed up. Each of these symptoms aligns with the persistent anxiety and tension seen in individuals with GAD.

In contrast, recurrent compulsive behaviors are primarily associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In OCD, individuals experience intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions) aimed at reducing the anxiety caused by those thoughts. Therefore, it's accurate to identify recurrent compulsive behaviors as a symptom that does not characterize generalized anxiety disorder, making it the correct choice in this context. Understanding the distinct symptoms of various anxiety disorders helps in proper diagnosis and treatment planning.