Mood disorders: Cushing syndrome and depression: 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: Cushing syndrome and depression

Sample item

A patient with new depression, central obesity, striae, hypertension and proximal muscle weakness most likely has psychiatric symptoms caused by

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Hypercortisolism

Cushing syndrome produces depression, irritability, anxiety and sometimes psychosis, with the typical physical signs. Treatment of the hypercortisolism usually improves the psychiatric state. Many depressed patients also show a non-suppressed dexamethasone test, but they lack these physical signs.

Option by option

  • A. Hypercortisolism (correct)

    Correct. Cortisol excess explains the physical picture and the depression.

  • B. Hypothyroidism

    Hypothyroidism gives weight gain and slowing but not striae and hypertension.

  • C. Hypoparathyroidism

    Hypoparathyroidism causes tetany and sometimes psychiatric symptoms but not this cushingoid picture.

  • D. Hypopituitarism with low prolactin

    Hypopituitarism does not cause striae and hypertension.

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 A, Hypercortisolism. Cushing syndrome produces depression, irritability, anxiety and sometimes psychosis, with the typical physical signs.

Why is "Hypothyroidism" not the answer?

Hypothyroidism gives weight gain and slowing but not striae and hypertension.

Why is "Hypoparathyroidism" not the answer?

Hypoparathyroidism causes tetany and sometimes psychiatric symptoms but not this cushingoid picture.

Why is "Hypopituitarism with low prolactin" not the answer?

Hypopituitarism does not cause striae and hypertension.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood disorders: Cushing syndrome and depression in Psychiatry. Treatment of the hypercortisolism usually improves the psychiatric state. Many depressed patients also show a non-suppressed dexamethasone test, but they lack these physical signs.

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: Cushing syndrome and depression?

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.