Q.1 Which of the following is a core feature of dissociative disorders?
Hallucinations
Memory loss or amnesia
Obsessive thoughts
Paranoia
Explanation - Dissociative disorders are characterized by disruptions in memory, identity, consciousness, or perception, with memory loss (amnesia) being a key symptom.
Correct answer is: Memory loss or amnesia
Q.2 Dissociative Identity Disorder was previously known as:
Multiple Personality Disorder
Schizophrenia
Bipolar Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Explanation - Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) was historically referred to as Multiple Personality Disorder, characterized by two or more distinct identities.
Correct answer is: Multiple Personality Disorder
Q.3 Which type of dissociative disorder is primarily characterized by sudden, unexpected travel away from home or work?
Dissociative Amnesia
Depersonalization Disorder
Dissociative Fugue
Conversion Disorder
Explanation - Dissociative fugue involves sudden, unplanned travel or wandering with an inability to recall one's past, often accompanied by identity confusion.
Correct answer is: Dissociative Fugue
Q.4 Depersonalization-derealization disorder is distinguished by:
Feeling detached from one's own body or thoughts
Hallucinations
Memory gaps of personal information
Sudden changes in identity
Explanation - Depersonalization-derealization disorder involves persistent feelings of detachment from oneself (depersonalization) or from the surroundings (derealization), without memory loss.
Correct answer is: Feeling detached from one's own body or thoughts
Q.5 Which of the following is a common precipitating factor for dissociative disorders?
Acute physical trauma
Chronic stress or psychological trauma
Bacterial infection
Nutritional deficiency
Explanation - Dissociative disorders are often triggered by severe stress, abuse, or trauma, leading to disruptions in identity, memory, or consciousness.
Correct answer is: Chronic stress or psychological trauma
Q.6 Dissociative amnesia typically involves:
Memory loss for personal information
Loss of motor skills
Loss of sensory perception
Persistent delusions
Explanation - Dissociative amnesia is characterized by an inability to recall important personal information, usually related to trauma or stress, beyond ordinary forgetfulness.
Correct answer is: Memory loss for personal information
Q.7 Which assessment tool is commonly used to evaluate dissociative symptoms?
Beck Depression Inventory
Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES)
Mini-Mental State Exam
Hamilton Anxiety Scale
Explanation - The DES is a self-report questionnaire widely used to assess the presence and severity of dissociative symptoms in clinical settings.
Correct answer is: Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES)
Q.8 Which comorbid psychiatric condition is most commonly associated with dissociative disorders?
Schizophrenia
Depression
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Explanation - Depressive disorders frequently co-occur with dissociative disorders due to shared etiological factors such as trauma and stress.
Correct answer is: Depression
Q.9 Which therapy is considered first-line for treating dissociative disorders?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Psychodynamic Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Explanation - CBT is effective in addressing dissociative symptoms by helping patients process trauma, improve coping skills, and reduce maladaptive behaviors.
Correct answer is: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Q.10 Dissociative Identity Disorder often involves:
Two or more distinct personality states
Loss of all memory
Persistent hallucinations
Compulsive behaviors
Explanation - DID is defined by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states, each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the world.
Correct answer is: Two or more distinct personality states
Q.11 A patient presents with gaps in memory of personal life events but no identity change. The most likely diagnosis is:
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociative Amnesia
Depersonalization Disorder
Schizophrenia
Explanation - Memory gaps for personal information without identity change are typical of dissociative amnesia, often stress-related.
Correct answer is: Dissociative Amnesia
Q.12 Which symptom differentiates depersonalization from dissociative amnesia?
Memory loss
Feeling detached from self
Identity change
Traveling away from home
Explanation - Depersonalization is defined by persistent feelings of detachment from one's body or thoughts, whereas dissociative amnesia involves memory loss.
Correct answer is: Feeling detached from self
Q.13 The onset of dissociative disorders is most commonly associated with:
Childhood trauma
Late adulthood
Infections
Nutritional deficiency
Explanation - Many dissociative disorders, especially DID, are linked to severe childhood trauma, such as abuse or neglect.
Correct answer is: Childhood trauma
Q.14 Which of the following is true regarding dissociative fugue?
It involves purposeful travel with amnesia for identity
It is a form of psychosis
It is associated with hallucinations
It is a form of obsessive-compulsive behavior
Explanation - Dissociative fugue is characterized by sudden, unplanned travel away from home or work with an inability to recall past events or identity.
Correct answer is: It involves purposeful travel with amnesia for identity
Q.15 Which of the following is a differential diagnosis for dissociative disorders?
Epilepsy
Schizophrenia
Borderline Personality Disorder
All of the above
Explanation - Neurological conditions like epilepsy, psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, and personality disorders may mimic or coexist with dissociative symptoms and need careful evaluation.
Correct answer is: All of the above
Q.16 Dissociation is best described as:
A conscious choice to avoid stress
A disruption in the normal integration of consciousness, memory, identity, or perception
A type of hallucination
A form of depression
Explanation - Dissociation involves a breakdown in the normally integrated functions of memory, identity, perception, or consciousness, often as a defense against stress or trauma.
Correct answer is: A disruption in the normal integration of consciousness, memory, identity, or perception
Q.17 Which medication class is primarily used to treat dissociative disorders?
Antidepressants
Antipsychotics
Mood stabilizers
No medication is specifically indicated
Explanation - While comorbid conditions such as depression or anxiety may be treated pharmacologically, there is no medication that specifically treats core dissociative symptoms; psychotherapy is the mainstay.
Correct answer is: No medication is specifically indicated
Q.18 A patient with recurrent episodes of feeling like they are observing themselves from outside their body likely has:
Dissociative Amnesia
Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Conversion Disorder
Explanation - Recurrent feelings of detachment from one's own body or mental processes are characteristic of depersonalization-derealization disorder.
Correct answer is: Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder
Q.19 Which type of therapy has shown promise in integrating fragmented identities in DID?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Hypnotherapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Behavioral Activation
Explanation - Hypnotherapy can help patients with DID access repressed memories and integrate fragmented identities, often used alongside other psychotherapeutic interventions.
Correct answer is: Hypnotherapy
Q.20 Which of the following is NOT a recognized subtype of dissociative amnesia?
Localized
Selective
Generalized
Obsessive
Explanation - Dissociative amnesia can be localized, selective, generalized, or systematized, but 'obsessive' is not a recognized subtype.
Correct answer is: Obsessive
Q.21 Which of the following is a risk factor for developing dissociative disorders?
History of trauma
Chronic illness
Low socioeconomic status
All of the above
Explanation - Multiple factors including trauma, chronic illness, and environmental stressors can contribute to the development of dissociative disorders.
Correct answer is: All of the above
Q.22 Patients with dissociative disorders often present with somatic symptoms without medical explanation. This is known as:
Somatization
Psychosomatic disorder
Conversion symptoms
All of the above
Explanation - Dissociative disorders can manifest with unexplained physical symptoms, sometimes classified under somatization, conversion, or psychosomatic presentations.
Correct answer is: All of the above
Q.23 In the diagnosis of dissociative disorders, it is important to rule out:
Neurological disorders
Substance-induced states
Medical illnesses
All of the above
Explanation - Dissociative symptoms can mimic or be mimicked by neurological disorders, substance use, or medical illnesses, so careful differential diagnosis is essential.
Correct answer is: All of the above
Q.24 Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding dissociative disorders?
They are always chronic
They often improve with psychotherapy
Medication alone is usually sufficient
They are contagious
Explanation - Dissociative disorders often respond well to structured psychotherapy aimed at processing trauma, improving coping strategies, and integrating identities or memories.
Correct answer is: They often improve with psychotherapy