Q.1 Which of the following is a core feature of Major Depressive Disorder?
Elevated mood
Hallucinations
Persistent low mood
Pressured speech
Explanation - Major Depressive Disorder is characterized by persistent low mood and anhedonia lasting at least two weeks, often with sleep, appetite, and cognitive disturbances.
Correct answer is: Persistent low mood
Q.2 Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most associated with schizophrenia?
Serotonin
Acetylcholine
Dopamine
GABA
Explanation - Schizophrenia is strongly linked to dopaminergic dysregulation, particularly hyperactivity in the mesolimbic pathway.
Correct answer is: Dopamine
Q.3 What is the first-line pharmacological treatment for generalized anxiety disorder?
SSRIs
Antipsychotics
Benzodiazepines
Mood stabilizers
Explanation - Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered the first-line pharmacological treatment for generalized anxiety disorder due to efficacy and safety.
Correct answer is: SSRIs
Q.4 Which psychiatric condition is associated with episodes of mania and depression?
Major Depressive Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Schizophrenia
Panic Disorder
Explanation - Bipolar Disorder is characterized by alternating episodes of mania/hypomania and depression.
Correct answer is: Bipolar Disorder
Q.5 Which of the following is a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
Hallucinations
Delusions
Alogia
Disorganized speech
Explanation - Negative symptoms include diminished emotional expression, alogia (poverty of speech), and avolition.
Correct answer is: Alogia
Q.6 Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is most commonly triggered by:
Genetic predisposition
Severe trauma
Chronic insomnia
Family history of depression
Explanation - PTSD typically develops after exposure to severe trauma such as combat, sexual assault, or natural disasters.
Correct answer is: Severe trauma
Q.7 Which of the following is a diagnostic feature of panic disorder?
Gradual onset of anxiety
Unexpected recurrent panic attacks
Persistent low mood
Obsessive rituals
Explanation - Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks with persistent concern about future attacks.
Correct answer is: Unexpected recurrent panic attacks
Q.8 Obsessions in OCD are best described as:
Voluntary repetitive actions
Intrusive unwanted thoughts
Pleasurable fantasies
Compulsive behaviors
Explanation - Obsessions are intrusive, unwanted thoughts or urges that cause distress; compulsions are the repetitive acts performed to reduce this distress.
Correct answer is: Intrusive unwanted thoughts
Q.9 Which personality disorder is most associated with unstable relationships and self-image?
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Explanation - Borderline Personality Disorder is marked by instability in mood, self-image, and interpersonal relationships, often with impulsivity.
Correct answer is: Borderline Personality Disorder
Q.10 Which of the following symptoms is characteristic of mania?
Psychomotor retardation
Grandiosity
Low energy
Feelings of guilt
Explanation - Mania includes elevated or irritable mood, decreased need for sleep, pressured speech, increased goal-directed activity, and grandiosity.
Correct answer is: Grandiosity
Q.11 Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is most effective for:
Mild anxiety
Severe depression with suicidality
Substance use disorder
Phobias
Explanation - ECT is reserved for severe, treatment-resistant depression or cases requiring rapid symptom relief, especially with suicidality or psychotic features.
Correct answer is: Severe depression with suicidality
Q.12 Which neurotransmitter is most implicated in depression?
Histamine
Serotonin
Glutamate
Acetylcholine
Explanation - Serotonin dysregulation is central to the pathophysiology of depression, which is why SSRIs are first-line therapy.
Correct answer is: Serotonin
Q.13 Which of the following is NOT a symptom of generalized anxiety disorder?
Excessive worry
Restlessness
Muscle tension
Auditory hallucinations
Explanation - Generalized anxiety disorder presents with excessive worry, restlessness, fatigue, irritability, and muscle tension, not hallucinations.
Correct answer is: Auditory hallucinations
Q.14 A patient repeatedly washes their hands to reduce anxiety about germs. This is an example of:
Delusion
Compulsion
Hallucination
Obsession
Explanation - Compulsions are repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety caused by obsessions.
Correct answer is: Compulsion
Q.15 Which eating disorder is characterized by binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like purging?
Anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa
Binge eating disorder
Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder
Explanation - Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent binge eating episodes followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, laxatives, or excessive exercise.
Correct answer is: Bulimia nervosa
Q.16 What is the hallmark feature of delirium?
Gradual cognitive decline
Acute fluctuating confusion
Stable memory impairment
Personality changes
Explanation - Delirium is an acute, fluctuating disturbance in attention and awareness, often due to an underlying medical cause.
Correct answer is: Acute fluctuating confusion
Q.17 Which disorder is most strongly linked with childhood trauma?
Schizophrenia
Borderline Personality Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Explanation - Borderline Personality Disorder is strongly associated with a history of childhood trauma and abuse.
Correct answer is: Borderline Personality Disorder
Q.18 The term 'anhedonia' refers to:
Loss of energy
Inability to feel pleasure
Difficulty concentrating
Persistent sadness
Explanation - Anhedonia, a core symptom of depression, refers to the inability to experience pleasure from activities usually found enjoyable.
Correct answer is: Inability to feel pleasure
Q.19 Which of the following best describes somatic symptom disorder?
Excessive preoccupation with health without significant symptoms
Physical symptoms not explained medically with associated distress
Fear of gaining weight despite low body weight
Recurrent binge eating without compensatory behavior
Explanation - Somatic symptom disorder involves physical symptoms causing distress without adequate medical explanation, often with health anxiety.
Correct answer is: Physical symptoms not explained medically with associated distress
Q.20 Which disorder is characterized by alternating identities and memory gaps?
Schizophrenia
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Delusional Disorder
Cyclothymia
Explanation - Dissociative Identity Disorder involves the presence of two or more distinct identities and recurrent amnesia for everyday events.
Correct answer is: Dissociative Identity Disorder
Q.21 Which of the following medications is a mood stabilizer commonly used in bipolar disorder?
Lithium
Fluoxetine
Haloperidol
Diazepam
Explanation - Lithium is a classic mood stabilizer effective in both mania and depression in bipolar disorder.
Correct answer is: Lithium
Q.22 Which cluster of personality disorders includes Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, and Narcissistic?
Cluster A
Cluster B
Cluster C
Cluster D
Explanation - Cluster B personality disorders are characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic behaviors.
Correct answer is: Cluster B
Q.23 Which psychiatric emergency involves a high risk of death if untreated and presents with muscle rigidity, fever, and autonomic instability?
Serotonin syndrome
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Delirium tremens
Catatonia
Explanation - NMS is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics, characterized by rigidity, hyperthermia, altered consciousness, and autonomic instability.
Correct answer is: Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Q.24 Which sleep disorder is characterized by irresistible sleep attacks during the day?
Insomnia
Sleep apnea
Narcolepsy
Restless leg syndrome
Explanation - Narcolepsy is marked by excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden sleep attacks, and sometimes cataplexy.
Correct answer is: Narcolepsy
Q.25 Which cognitive bias is common in depression?
Grandiosity
Pessimism
Ideas of reference
Euphoria
Explanation - Patients with depression often display cognitive distortions such as pessimism, hopelessness, and negative self-perceptions.
Correct answer is: Pessimism