Q.1 Which of the following is a core feature of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
Recurrent panic attacks with agoraphobia
Excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months
Obsessions and compulsions
Flashbacks of traumatic events
Explanation - GAD is characterized by persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of daily life lasting for six months or more.
Correct answer is: Excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months
Q.2 Which neurotransmitter is most commonly implicated in anxiety disorders?
Dopamine
Serotonin
Acetylcholine
Glutamate
Explanation - Dysregulation of serotonin is strongly associated with anxiety disorders, and many anxiolytic medications target serotonergic pathways.
Correct answer is: Serotonin
Q.3 A patient experiences intense fear, palpitations, and shortness of breath in situations with no real danger. This best describes:
Social Anxiety Disorder
Panic Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Explanation - Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden surges of intense fear accompanied by somatic symptoms.
Correct answer is: Panic Disorder
Q.4 Which anxiety disorder is most commonly associated with avoidance of social situations due to fear of scrutiny?
Social Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Specific Phobia
Agoraphobia
Explanation - Social anxiety disorder involves significant fear of social situations where the individual may be exposed to possible scrutiny by others.
Correct answer is: Social Anxiety Disorder
Q.5 Which of the following is considered a first-line pharmacological treatment for anxiety disorders?
Benzodiazepines
SSRIs
Typical antipsychotics
Beta-blockers for chronic use
Explanation - Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered first-line treatment for most anxiety disorders due to efficacy and safety profile.
Correct answer is: SSRIs
Q.6 Exposure therapy is particularly effective in the treatment of:
Panic Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Specific Phobias
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Explanation - Exposure therapy involves gradual and repeated exposure to the feared object or situation, which is highly effective for specific phobias.
Correct answer is: Specific Phobias
Q.7 A patient fears leaving home due to potential panic attacks and avoids crowded places. The most likely diagnosis is:
Agoraphobia
Social Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Specific Phobia
Explanation - Agoraphobia is characterized by fear of being in situations where escape may be difficult, often leading to avoidance of public places.
Correct answer is: Agoraphobia
Q.8 Which physiological response is commonly heightened in anxiety disorders?
Parasympathetic activity
Sympathetic activity
Dopaminergic reward signaling
Melatonin secretion
Explanation - Anxiety disorders often involve hyperactivation of the sympathetic nervous system, leading to symptoms such as increased heart rate and sweating.
Correct answer is: Sympathetic activity
Q.9 Which disorder is characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety?
Panic Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Explanation - OCD involves obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors) performed to alleviate anxiety.
Correct answer is: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Q.10 Which type of therapy focuses on identifying and restructuring maladaptive thought patterns in anxiety disorders?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Interpersonal Therapy
Humanistic Therapy
Explanation - CBT is effective in anxiety disorders by helping patients identify negative thought patterns and replace them with adaptive cognitions.
Correct answer is: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Q.11 A patient experiences excessive anxiety about minor events, muscle tension, and difficulty concentrating for 7 months. Diagnosis?
Panic Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Specific Phobia
Acute Stress Disorder
Explanation - Persistent, excessive worry for six months or more, along with somatic symptoms like muscle tension, is indicative of GAD.
Correct answer is: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Q.12 Which class of medications is commonly used for short-term relief of acute anxiety symptoms?
SSRIs
Benzodiazepines
Tricyclic antidepressants
MAO inhibitors
Explanation - Benzodiazepines provide rapid relief of acute anxiety but are not preferred long-term due to risk of dependence.
Correct answer is: Benzodiazepines
Q.13 Which anxiety disorder typically develops following exposure to a traumatic event?
Panic Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Agoraphobia
Social Anxiety Disorder
Explanation - PTSD arises after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event and is characterized by flashbacks, hyperarousal, and avoidance.
Correct answer is: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Q.14 Which of the following is considered a physical symptom of anxiety?
Low mood
Palpitations
Delusions
Hallucinations
Explanation - Anxiety commonly produces physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, and tremors due to sympathetic activation.
Correct answer is: Palpitations
Q.15 Which disorder involves fear of specific objects or situations that is disproportionate to the actual danger?
Agoraphobia
Specific Phobia
Social Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Explanation - Specific phobias involve intense, irrational fear of a particular object or situation leading to avoidance.
Correct answer is: Specific Phobia
Q.16 Which of the following is a hallmark symptom of panic attacks?
Gradual onset of worry
Sudden, intense fear reaching peak within minutes
Persistent intrusive thoughts
Nightmares about trauma
Explanation - Panic attacks are abrupt surges of intense fear that peak quickly, often with somatic symptoms.
Correct answer is: Sudden, intense fear reaching peak within minutes
Q.17 Which of these is considered a cognitive symptom of anxiety?
Sweating
Rapid heart rate
Excessive worry
Muscle tension
Explanation - Cognitive symptoms of anxiety include persistent worry, rumination, and difficulty concentrating.
Correct answer is: Excessive worry
Q.18 The prevalence of anxiety disorders is highest in which age group?
10-12 years
13-15 years
18-24 years
30+ years
Explanation - Anxiety disorders commonly manifest in late adolescence to early adulthood, with peak prevalence in young adults.
Correct answer is: 18-24 years
Q.19 Which symptom differentiates Social Anxiety Disorder from Specific Phobia?
Fear of public speaking or social evaluation
Fear of snakes
Panic attacks without trigger
Persistent low mood
Explanation - Social Anxiety Disorder involves fear of social scrutiny, whereas specific phobia involves fear of particular objects or situations.
Correct answer is: Fear of public speaking or social evaluation
Q.20 Which biological system is often overactive in anxiety disorders leading to heightened stress response?
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
Thyroid axis
Renin-angiotensin system
Mesolimbic dopamine system
Explanation - The HPA axis is frequently hyperactive in anxiety disorders, contributing to increased cortisol and stress response.
Correct answer is: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
Q.21 Which of the following is a common comorbidity with anxiety disorders?
Depressive disorders
Schizophrenia
Parkinson's disease
Type 1 diabetes
Explanation - Anxiety disorders frequently co-occur with depression, highlighting shared pathophysiological and psychosocial mechanisms.
Correct answer is: Depressive disorders
Q.22 Avoidance behavior in anxiety disorders primarily serves to:
Reduce stress hormones
Prevent exposure to feared stimuli
Increase serotonin levels
Promote cognitive restructuring
Explanation - Avoidance temporarily reduces anxiety but reinforces fear, maintaining the disorder over time.
Correct answer is: Prevent exposure to feared stimuli
Q.23 Which of the following differentiates Panic Disorder from Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Duration of worry
Presence of sudden, intense panic attacks
Avoidance of social situations
Chronic muscle tension
Explanation - Panic Disorder is characterized by discrete, intense panic attacks, whereas GAD involves chronic, pervasive worry.
Correct answer is: Presence of sudden, intense panic attacks
Q.24 Which is a typical first-line psychotherapy for anxiety disorders?
Psychoanalysis
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Mindfulness meditation alone
Explanation - CBT is evidence-based and first-line for anxiety disorders, targeting maladaptive thoughts and behaviors.
Correct answer is: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy