Mood disorders: bipolar II disorder: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Mood disorders: bipolar II disorder

Sample item

Using DSM-5 criteria, a woman has had two major depressive episodes and one four-day period of elevated energy, reduced need for sleep and talkativeness that was noticed by others but did not cause hospitalisation or impairment. The diagnosis is

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Bipolar II disorder

Bipolar II needs at least one hypomanic episode lasting four days and at least one major depressive episode, with no history of mania. Hypomania causes an observable change without marked impairment, psychosis or hospitalisation. Depressive episodes dominate the course.

Option by option

  • A. Bipolar I disorder

    Bipolar I requires a manic episode lasting a week or needing hospitalisation.

  • B. Cyclothymic disorder

    Cyclothymia has no major depressive episodes.

  • C. Major depressive disorder, recurrent

    Recurrent depression has never had a hypomanic episode.

  • D. Bipolar II disorder (correct)

    Correct. A hypomanic episode plus major depression with no mania gives bipolar II.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is D, Bipolar II disorder. Bipolar II needs at least one hypomanic episode lasting four days and at least one major depressive episode, with no history of mania.

Why is "Bipolar I disorder" not the answer?

Bipolar I requires a manic episode lasting a week or needing hospitalisation.

Why is "Cyclothymic disorder" not the answer?

Cyclothymia has no major depressive episodes.

Why is "Major depressive disorder, recurrent" not the answer?

Recurrent depression has never had a hypomanic episode.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood disorders: bipolar II disorder in Psychiatry. Hypomania causes an observable change without marked impairment, psychosis or hospitalisation. Depressive episodes dominate the course.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Mood disorders: bipolar II disorder?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.