Q.1 Which of the following is considered a primary symptom of major depressive disorder?
Hallucinations
Persistent sadness
Hyperactivity
Memory loss
Explanation - Major depressive disorder is characterized by persistent sadness or loss of interest in usual activities for at least two weeks.
Correct answer is: Persistent sadness
Q.2 Which type of therapy focuses on changing negative patterns of thinking?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Exposure Therapy
Explanation - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps patients identify and change negative thought patterns that affect emotions and behavior.
Correct answer is: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Q.3 A patient presents with excessive worry and restlessness for more than 6 months. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Bipolar Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Schizophrenia
Explanation - GAD is characterized by chronic, excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, along with restlessness, fatigue, and irritability.
Correct answer is: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Q.4 Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with depression?
Dopamine
Serotonin
Acetylcholine
GABA
Explanation - Depression is linked to reduced levels of serotonin in the brain, affecting mood regulation.
Correct answer is: Serotonin
Q.5 Which of the following is a hallmark feature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
Memory loss
Flashbacks
Mania
Compulsions
Explanation - PTSD often involves intrusive memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event, along with hypervigilance and avoidance.
Correct answer is: Flashbacks
Q.6 Which mental health disorder is characterized by alternating periods of mania and depression?
Bipolar Disorder
Major Depressive Disorder
Schizophrenia
Panic Disorder
Explanation - Bipolar disorder involves cyclical episodes of mania (elevated mood) and depression (low mood).
Correct answer is: Bipolar Disorder
Q.7 Which of the following is considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
Flat affect
Social withdrawal
Hallucinations
Anhedonia
Explanation - Positive symptoms in schizophrenia include hallucinations and delusions, which represent an excess or distortion of normal function.
Correct answer is: Hallucinations
Q.8 A 15-year-old exhibits repeated hair-pulling, resulting in noticeable hair loss. Which disorder is this consistent with?
Trichotillomania
Bulimia Nervosa
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Schizophrenia
Explanation - Trichotillomania is an impulse-control disorder where patients compulsively pull out their hair, often leading to hair loss.
Correct answer is: Trichotillomania
Q.9 Which mental health condition is most commonly associated with compulsive handwashing?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Panic Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Major Depression
Explanation - OCD involves obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors), with handwashing being a classic compulsion.
Correct answer is: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Q.10 Which of the following is an evidence-based treatment for ADHD in children?
Stimulant medication
Antipsychotics
SSRIs
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Explanation - Stimulant medications like methylphenidate are first-line treatments for ADHD, improving focus and reducing hyperactivity.
Correct answer is: Stimulant medication
Q.11 Which of the following is the most common presenting symptom in older adults with depression?
Sadness
Sleep disturbances
Memory problems
Hallucinations
Explanation - Older adults often present with somatic complaints like insomnia or early-morning awakening rather than overt sadness.
Correct answer is: Sleep disturbances
Q.12 Which mental health disorder is associated with significant fear of social situations and scrutiny by others?
Social Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Agoraphobia
Panic Disorder
Explanation - Social anxiety disorder is characterized by intense fear of social interactions and performance situations due to fear of negative evaluation.
Correct answer is: Social Anxiety Disorder
Q.13 Which assessment tool is commonly used to screen for depression in adults?
PHQ-9
GAD-7
MMSE
Y-BOCS
Explanation - The PHQ-9 is a validated questionnaire to screen for and measure the severity of depression in adults.
Correct answer is: PHQ-9
Q.14 Which personality disorder is characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior?
Borderline Personality Disorder
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Explanation - Borderline personality disorder features unstable relationships, impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and fear of abandonment.
Correct answer is: Borderline Personality Disorder
Q.15 Which of the following is a common side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
Weight loss
Insomnia
Constipation
Hypotension
Explanation - SSRIs often cause gastrointestinal upset, headache, and sleep disturbances such as insomnia.
Correct answer is: Insomnia
Q.16 Which disorder is characterized by a persistent preoccupation with one’s body or appearance?
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Eating Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Hypochondriasis
Explanation - BDD involves excessive concern over perceived flaws in appearance, often leading to distress and social avoidance.
Correct answer is: Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Q.17 Which symptom differentiates mania from hypomania?
Duration of symptoms
Euphoria
Irritability
Rapid speech
Explanation - Mania lasts at least 7 days or requires hospitalization, while hypomania lasts at least 4 days and is less severe.
Correct answer is: Duration of symptoms
Q.18 Which type of psychotherapy emphasizes understanding unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences?
Psychodynamic Therapy
Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Therapy
Interpersonal Therapy
Explanation - Psychodynamic therapy focuses on unconscious processes, early life experiences, and their influence on current behavior.
Correct answer is: Psychodynamic Therapy
Q.19 Which condition is most strongly associated with recurrent panic attacks and fear of future attacks?
Panic Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Explanation - Panic disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks with persistent concern or behavioral changes to avoid them.
Correct answer is: Panic Disorder
Q.20 Which is a core feature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
Persistent inattention
Hallucinations
Mania
Compulsions
Explanation - ADHD is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that impair functioning.
Correct answer is: Persistent inattention
Q.21 Which of the following is an early warning sign of suicide risk in adolescents?
Social withdrawal
Increased appetite
Excessive studying
Heightened social activity
Explanation - Withdrawal from friends and family, decline in performance, and talking about death are early warning signs of suicide risk.
Correct answer is: Social withdrawal
Q.22 Which disorder is characterized by excessive worry about having a serious illness despite medical reassurance?
Illness Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Explanation - Illness anxiety disorder involves preoccupation with having a serious illness, leading to repeated medical visits and reassurance seeking.
Correct answer is: Illness Anxiety Disorder
Q.23 Which mental health condition is associated with seasonal patterns of depressive episodes?
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Panic Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Explanation - SAD is a type of depression that occurs at a specific time of year, usually in winter, linked to reduced sunlight exposure.
Correct answer is: Seasonal Affective Disorder
Q.24 Which of the following is a first-line pharmacologic treatment for generalized anxiety disorder?
SSRIs
Lithium
Haloperidol
Stimulants
Explanation - Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are commonly used as first-line treatment for GAD, providing anxiolytic effects over time.
Correct answer is: SSRIs
Q.25 Which symptom is most characteristic of anorexia nervosa?
Severe restriction of food intake
Compulsive handwashing
Persistent sadness
Excessive talking
Explanation - Anorexia nervosa involves restriction of food intake leading to significantly low body weight and distorted body image.
Correct answer is: Severe restriction of food intake