Q.1 Which of the following is the hallmark feature of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
Persistent depressive mood
Recurrent intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors
Manic episodes
Social withdrawal
Explanation - OCD is characterized by the presence of obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and/or compulsions (repetitive behaviors) that are time-consuming or cause significant distress.
Correct answer is: Recurrent intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors
Q.2 Which neurotransmitter is most implicated in the pathophysiology of OCD?
Dopamine
Serotonin
Acetylcholine
GABA
Explanation - OCD has been associated with dysfunction in serotonin pathways, and SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are first-line pharmacological treatments.
Correct answer is: Serotonin
Q.3 A patient spends 3–4 hours daily washing hands repeatedly due to fear of contamination. Which disorder is this most consistent with?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Panic Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Explanation - Excessive hand-washing due to contamination fears is a common compulsion seen in OCD.
Correct answer is: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Q.4 Which of the following is classified under Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders in DSM-5?
Trichotillomania
Major Depressive Disorder
Schizophrenia
Panic Disorder
Explanation - Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder) is part of the OCD-related disorders category in DSM-5.
Correct answer is: Trichotillomania
Q.5 Which therapy is considered the most effective non-pharmacological treatment for OCD?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention
Supportive counseling
Psychoanalysis
Explanation - ERP (exposure and response prevention) is a type of CBT specifically designed for OCD and is highly effective.
Correct answer is: Cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention
Q.6 Body Dysmorphic Disorder is characterized primarily by:
Preoccupation with perceived defects in appearance
Mood swings
Fear of social situations
Repetitive hand-washing
Explanation - Body Dysmorphic Disorder involves distressing preoccupation with imagined or slight physical flaws.
Correct answer is: Preoccupation with perceived defects in appearance
Q.7 Hoarding Disorder is best described as:
Repetitive hair-pulling
Persistent difficulty discarding possessions regardless of value
Fear of leaving home
Excessive hand-washing
Explanation - Hoarding Disorder involves excessive accumulation and inability to discard items, causing functional impairment.
Correct answer is: Persistent difficulty discarding possessions regardless of value
Q.8 Which of the following medications is first-line pharmacotherapy for OCD?
Fluoxetine
Haloperidol
Diazepam
Lithium
Explanation - SSRIs like fluoxetine are first-line medications for OCD treatment.
Correct answer is: Fluoxetine
Q.9 A common comorbidity in patients with OCD is:
Schizophrenia
Major Depressive Disorder
Dementia
Parkinson’s disease
Explanation - Depression is frequently comorbid with OCD, affecting up to 50% of patients.
Correct answer is: Major Depressive Disorder
Q.10 Excoriation (skin-picking) disorder is categorized under:
OCD-related disorders
Anxiety disorders
Mood disorders
Psychotic disorders
Explanation - Excoriation disorder is part of the obsessive-compulsive and related disorders group in DSM-5.
Correct answer is: OCD-related disorders
Q.11 Which brain circuit is most implicated in OCD?
Cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit
Limbic-amygdala pathway
Spinal reflex arc
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
Explanation - Dysfunction in the CSTC circuit is strongly linked to OCD symptoms.
Correct answer is: Cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit
Q.12 Which symptom is an example of an obsession?
Excessive hand-washing
Fear of germs despite knowing the risk is low
Hair-pulling
Collecting items excessively
Explanation - Obsessions are intrusive, unwanted thoughts or urges, while compulsions are behaviors performed to relieve anxiety.
Correct answer is: Fear of germs despite knowing the risk is low
Q.13 Which factor is considered a risk factor for developing OCD?
Childhood trauma
High IQ
Living in rural areas
Excessive physical activity
Explanation - Childhood trauma, including abuse or significant stressors, is a recognized risk factor for OCD.
Correct answer is: Childhood trauma
Q.14 Which of the following is true about OCD onset?
It only starts after age 40
It commonly begins in late adolescence or early adulthood
It is only seen in childhood
It has no typical age of onset
Explanation - OCD often manifests in late teens to early twenties, though childhood onset is also possible.
Correct answer is: It commonly begins in late adolescence or early adulthood
Q.15 In Body Dysmorphic Disorder, insight can range from:
Excellent to absent/delusional
Always absent
Always excellent
Not relevant for diagnosis
Explanation - Patients may recognize their beliefs as exaggerated or may hold them with delusional intensity.
Correct answer is: Excellent to absent/delusional
Q.16 Which of the following is NOT a common compulsion in OCD?
Checking locks repeatedly
Praying excessively
Avoiding social interactions
Counting or ordering objects
Explanation - Avoidance of social situations is more typical of social anxiety disorder, not an OCD compulsion.
Correct answer is: Avoiding social interactions
Q.17 Which statement about hoarding disorder is correct?
It always occurs with OCD
It can occur independently of OCD
It is a type of psychosis
It only occurs in the elderly
Explanation - Hoarding disorder is now recognized as a distinct diagnosis and does not require comorbid OCD.
Correct answer is: It can occur independently of OCD
Q.18 In OCD, avoidance behaviors are often used to:
Reduce exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli
Enhance social interaction
Improve cognitive function
Increase physical fitness
Explanation - Patients may avoid certain situations to prevent obsessions or the need to perform compulsions.
Correct answer is: Reduce exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli
Q.19 Which comorbid condition is common in Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Major depressive disorder
Epilepsy
Diabetes mellitus
Asthma
Explanation - High rates of depression and social anxiety are seen in BDD patients.
Correct answer is: Major depressive disorder
Q.20 Which factor differentiates OCD from normal habits?
Time-consuming, distressing, and interfering with daily life
Performed occasionally
Never causes anxiety
Always pleasurable
Explanation - OCD behaviors are excessive and impair functioning, unlike normal habits.
Correct answer is: Time-consuming, distressing, and interfering with daily life
Q.21 Which of the following is a core feature of excoriation disorder?
Recurrent skin-picking causing lesions
Avoidance of social situations
Persistent depressive mood
Obsessions about symmetry
Explanation - Excoriation disorder involves repetitive skin-picking leading to tissue damage or lesions.
Correct answer is: Recurrent skin-picking causing lesions
Q.22 Which type of OCD symptom is most likely to respond to ERP therapy?
Contamination obsessions with cleaning compulsions
Delusions of reference
Manic episodes
Memory deficits
Explanation - ERP involves exposing patients to anxiety triggers (like contamination) and preventing compulsive responses.
Correct answer is: Contamination obsessions with cleaning compulsions