**Core Concept**
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by excessive and persistent worry about everyday things, even when there is no apparent reason to worry. This worry is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep disturbances.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer involves understanding the typical features of GAD. Insomnia (a) is a common symptom of GAD, as individuals with GAD often experience difficulty falling or staying asleep due to their worrying thoughts. Hypersomnia (b) is not a characteristic of GAD, as individuals with GAD typically experience insomnia rather than excessive sleepiness. Episodes in GAD are not limited to minutes to hours (c), but rather can persist for days, weeks, or even months. Free-floating anxiety (d) is a hallmark of GAD, as individuals with GAD often experience anxiety that is not focused on a specific object or situation. Benzodiazepines (e) are not the treatment of choice for GAD, as they are typically used for short-term relief of anxiety symptoms and can be habit-forming. Autonomic symptoms (f) are common in GAD, as individuals with GAD often experience physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating, or trembling.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Insomnia is actually a common symptom of GAD, so this option is incorrect.
**Option B:** Hypersomnia is not a characteristic of GAD, making this option incorrect.
**Option C:** Episodes in GAD can persist for days, weeks, or even months, not just minutes to hours, so this option is incorrect.
**Option E:** Benzodiazepines are not the treatment of choice for GAD, making this option incorrect.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
When assessing a patient for GAD, it's essential to ask about their sleep patterns, as insomnia is a common symptom of this disorder. Additionally, be aware that GAD can mimic other anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or social anxiety disorder, so a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation is necessary to determine the correct diagnosis.

**Correct Answer: A. Insomnia**