Chronic anxiety can lead to which of the following symptoms?

Chronic anxiety can indeed lead to hand grip tension as a physiological response to stress. When a person is experiencing anxiety, the body can enter a state of heightened alertness, often referred to as the "fight or flight" response. This response triggers the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which can lead to muscle tension throughout the body. The muscles tend to contract and tighten as a reaction to perceived threats, which often includes the muscles in the hands and forearms, resulting in increased grip tension.

This muscle tension can manifest in various ways, such as difficulty in relaxing the hands, unintended clenching, or even pain and discomfort in the fingers and wrists over time. Recognizing this symptom is important in both the management of anxiety and understanding the physical manifestations that accompany psychological stress.

In contrast, the other options—such as increased flexibility, muscle growth, and joint stability—do not typically correlate with chronic anxiety. Increased flexibility usually involves a relaxation of muscles rather than tension, muscle growth requires strength training and proper nutrition, and joint stability relies on healthy muscle balance and coordination rather than the tension brought on by anxiety.