GAD1 and Anxiety: Spasms can be also seen in the face and if limited exclusively to the facial muscles, as we have seen in rare patients with very high GAD-antibody titers, we have referred it as “stiff-face syndrome.” Muscle spasms and stiffness can be precipitated by unexpected stimuli, including sounds, like a phone ring or a siren, sudden touches or conditions triggering anxiety and emotional upset which, when severe, are misdiagnosed as a primary anxiety disorder.